Samnell's Barbaric, Gestalt Iron Gods (Inactive)

Game Master Samnell

** spoiler omitted **

You're still a goodly distance away. Is Chotka bellowing it at them from a couple hundred feet off? Or does he want to come in closer first?

I hope to goodness we are approaching a little more first.

Definitely need to get closer - if only to make sure we're in charge range for Chotka/Groomahk.

Lol, yes, sorry, I meant to say that he approached them and then said it.

Lol, yes, sorry, I meant to say that he approached them and then said it.

The orcs watched Chotka and the others as they drew near, weapons close at hand.

"Stand there, warrior," one of the guards said, holding out a hand. "This is the Palace of the Steel Hawks. Birdfood is its master."

Does anyone know anything about Steel Hawks? Have we heard that name before?

Sure doesn't ring any bells for me, but I assume there's various gangs/factions around here we won't have heard of before.

Does anyone know anything about Steel Hawks? Have we heard that name before?

You previously heard of them here and you know from past knowledge checks that Scrapwall is dominated by various gangs.

"Good. I heard groups here were looking for more muscle and finders with an eye for the good stuff," Chotka waved at the scrawny looking halfling, "and we heard the Steel Hawks are the best. We need to talk to Birdfood."

It's weird writing a response, then going back to edit it down to Chotka's intelligence level...

"Good. I heard groups here were looking for more muscle and finders with an eye for the good stuff," Chotka waved at the scrawny looking halfling, "and we heard the Steel Hawks are the best. We need to talk to Birdfood."

It's weird writing a response, then going back to edit it down to Chotka's intelligence level...

A man with a grotesquely mutilated face, much like those you slew at the fort, stepped out from within the building.

"I'm Birdfood. You want to talk? Hand over your weapons and magic first."

"Do you want us to kneel on the ground and expose our necks as well? A warrior doesn't give up his weapons before his life," Chotka spat derisively.

Taking a close look at Birdfood Karek mutters under his breath to the others. "He looks more like one of those foul Smilers!"

He starts readying for a fight, looking around to see where the enemy would come from?
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Spidre is surprised by the boldness of Chotka's answer, but realizes it makes sense given what they'd been told of the town. And, of course, what the orcs in her company were naturally like.

Karek didn't mark any signs of subterfuge.

"Be a warrior or talk to me. Not both," Birdfood said.

Karek didn't mark any signs of subterfuge.

"Be a warrior or talk to me. Not both," Birdfood said.

So then...

I've been on vacation. Chotka, how are you responding? Are we gonna start kicking butts, or try to be diplomatic?

Sorry, been a busy week(end) and just got back from my birthday dinner. My first inclination is to help Birdfood become bird food, but if someone has a better idea I'm open to hear it. I feel like we're often one misstep from a TPK most of the time in this game. It's probably best to just move on, since I'm pretty sure I gave Groomahk advice to that effect not long ago.

Chotka stared at Birdfood in confusion for a moment before replying. "Fine. Keep your words," the orc shrugged and led the way down the path on the left.

I can handle that.
Spidre shrugs and stays within the shadows of the bigger ones.
"Just so I know, do we have a plan here?"

I can handle that.

Spidre shrugs and stays within the shadows of the bigger ones.
"Just so I know, do we have a plan here?"

Plans? This group? :)

The Sworn Band retreated from the Hawks' lair, with Birdfood sneering at them the whole way. They passed through a large expanse of twisted metal debris, which rose up about them in looming walls. Betimes it seemed a stiff breeze might dislodge something heavy or sharp and send it falling upon them. But even where the metal pressed close on two sides, Scrapwall did not fall. They came out to a relatively open area again, to find a group of men and half-orcs wielding noisy metal rods that spat smoke at four creatures that looked like rats but were the size of halflings and stood upright who had hunkered down behind a small debris pile and returning fire with crossbows. Four more lay dead in the open space between the debris and the attackers. Neither side seemed to have noticed the band.

You're some distance off from the fight yet, just close enough to see the basics.

"We must learn more of these 'Lords of Rust' and this Hellion. There also appear to be many criminal groups in Scrapwall - and based on this fight, they don't all like each other. We need to determine if there are ordinary citizens who are not part of the gangs, and see if they can give us information."

Rikal watches the fight from a distance. The rat-men appeared to be getting the worst of the fight, but those noisy metal rods were quite potent. Was there a benefit to intervening, or should they let the two sides fight each other? That was the question.

"This might sound crazy, but I bet those rats know more about what's going on in this city than most. And I bet they'd talk, if we helped them." Spidre shrugs. "But you guys are the ones who would be getting shot."

"Well, the guys we fought at the ruins had those weapons. I wouldn't be upset of there were less of those guys around."

Would hypnotic pattern be able to disrupt a fight giving the ratfolk a chance to slip away if they wanted?

"Well, the guys we fought at the ruins had those weapons. I wouldn't be upset of there were less of those guys around."

Would hypnotic pattern be able to disrupt a fight giving the ratfolk a chance to slip away if they wanted?

It might be, assuming enough failed saves and HD rolled. But if they kept fighting the others they'd break the status pretty much instantly.

Rikal looks at Chotka. "Warleader, I could conjure forth a cloud of billowing fog to mask the sight of those with the rods and allow the ratfolk to flee. If we don't like that idea, I could conjure something that proves quite distracting to them - and also dangerous."

"If we're going to help the rats, we need to make it obvious we're helping them so that they will help us in return. Unless we're just doing a good deed, but I'm not sure either side of this is on the side of 'good'."

"Good? I care about finding the thieves that stole Torch's fire, and those guys seem an awful lot like the guys from the ruins. Why don't you slip in close little one and tell the rats they can scurry away safely once our distraction is in place. Rikal, if you can make a cloud, I can fill it with swirling lights to confuse them."

Dropping simultaneous hypnotic pattern with a fog cloud right on top should fix the problem of obvious hostile enemies breaking the fascinate, and block our movements. Worst case, the rats decide to go in and fight and we can just move on.

Rikal nods. "Spidre, I will give you time to move in close. We will then cast our spells."

"Oh, sure! I'll just run out in between all the arrows and flying metal balls. Because I'm small, and that's my job. Glad to do it!" Spidre says with much consternation and sarcasm. Nevertheless, she draws up her hood and attempts to sneak towards the rat-things to tell them of the plan.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

"Oh, sure! I'll just run out in between all the arrows and flying metal balls. Because I'm small, and that's my job. Glad to do it!" Spidre says with much consternation and sarcasm. Nevertheless, she draws up her hood and attempts to sneak towards the rat-things to tell them of the plan.

[dice=Stealth]1d20+14

Spidre slipped forward unmarked.

So can I tell them of the plan? Do I need to make a diplomacy roll?

"Pssst! It's not looking good for you guys, but if you sit tight my friends over there-" Spidre says, pointing "-are going to help us out. When they do, follow me and I'll make sure you're safe."
Diplomacy if needed: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

So can I tell them of the plan? Do I need to make a diplomacy roll?

"Pssst! It's not looking good for you guys, but if you sit tight my friends over there-" Spidre says, pointing "-are going to help us out. When they do, follow me and I'll make sure you're safe."
[dice=Diplomacy if needed]1d20+3

The ratfolk nearest Spidre started and wheeled on her, crossbow rising before seeing she didn't pose a threat. After a moment's pause, he nudged the others and passed the message on.

Spidre tries to signal to her comrades that it's time.
Bluff (pass secret message)?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Spidre tries to signal to her comrades that it's time.

[dice=Bluff (pass secret message)?]1d20+8

You can just wave. The fight is really distracting and all.

The signal given, Rikal nods and says, "On three, Warleader? One...two...three!" He casts his spell, conjuring up a cloud of fog to engulf those with the noisy sticks and obscure their sight.

The signal given, Rikal nods and says, "On three, Warleader? One...two...three!" He casts his spell, conjuring up a cloud of fog to engulf those with the noisy sticks and obscure their sight.

Shouts of confusion and dismay immediately erupted from the gunmen, while the ratfolk wasted no time leaving their cover and rushing were Spidre led.

I'm not totally sure where I'm rushing them off to, but hopefully someplace safe but with few entrances/exits.

Chotka did his part and drops a swirling vortex of colored lights to further disorient the gunmen, then hurried to follow Spidre and the ratfolk.

"You, little rats, where can we go where those guys won't find us?"

Chotka did his part and drops a swirling vortex of colored lights to further disorient the gunmen, then hurried to follow Spidre and the ratfolk.

"You, little rats, where can we go where those guys won't find us?"

"You come quick. See Redtooth!" one of the rats said. "Very safe. "

Karek feels a bit left out but follows the others while fondling a bomb, ready for any pursuit.

"Then there we shall go. Quickly, before those men figure things out."

Spidre nods and goes with everyone, quickly going from leader to follower.

Spidre nods and goes with everyone, quickly going from leader to follower.

The ratfolk led the sworn band away from the Smilers and through several stands of rubble on a twisting path. They came at some length to the mouths of several tunnels leading into a huge wall of rock, metal, and dirt. Half a dozen ratfolk melted out of the shadows as the group approached. After a few quick words among their guides, one darted off into the gloom and returned in short order with a lightly armed ratfolk woman with a sword and gun at her hips.

"My people tell me you helped them with some Smilers. We don't get much of that anymore."

Rikal says, "We suspected that you and your people might be able to provide us with help if we provided you with help. We have come here on a quest. A representative of the Lords of Rust attempted to steal the fires of Torch. We stopped them, but we must know more of them, and ensure they do not try again. The power of the fires was sent to this Scrapwall. There is much we do not understand of this maze of steel and death. We would ask that you tell us of the factions that live here, and how to deal with each."

Chotka nodded his agreement. "We met Smiler before. Outside of town. I don't think they smile much now," Chotka added with a wicked grin.

Chotka nodded his agreement. "We met Smiler before. Outside of town. I don't think they smile much now," Chotka added with a wicked grin.

"Good to know."

"The Lords of Rust are our problem here too. Them and Hellion. Some of my own people have gone over to them. Give it another few months and they'll run Scrapwall. Then you'll have plenty of problems on the outside; don't doubt it. They're mostly orcs, androids, and my traitors. They operate out of the Scrapmaster's Arena, where you go if you want to join up. Fight something, kill it, and you're in. But they cheat. Lose and you're lunch. Must be a few hundred of them now. Sacrifice to Hellion, they call it sometimes."

"Not that anyone's seen Hellion, if there is such a person. I think that purple-haired android cooked him up, myself. Puts him up on the screens and screams somehow. Probably magic. Or it's a ghost or demon or something. Doesn't matter with all the muscle she's got. You want to put the hurt on them, you'll have to deal with that. There's Draigs; that's a giant, two heats and spiked chains. Helskarg's a troll, runs the fights. Nalakai's Kulgara's Meyanda's -the android's second. She's..." Redtooth gave Chotka an appraising look. "She looks like one of yours, honestly. Orc. Tough. Fights with a chainsaw. Her and Nalakai, who's some kind of priest."

Chotka knew the names; Kulgara and Nalakai were of his tribe!

"You can go charge in if you want. Might get you a quick death, might not. Only other way to get close is to get invited, unless you're better sneaks than my people. Unless you got whiskers and a tail hidden up in there, I have my doubts." Redtooth looked at Spidre. "Except about you."

"Not a lot to say about the rest of us anymore. I lead the Raiders, what's left. Used to be we kept the peace, more or less. We're probably done for inside a few weeks."

"The others? There's the Steel Hawks, who used to be on top. The Lords killed most of their leaders and put a Smiler, Birdfood, over them. They think that's funny. Hawks don't, but Sevroth Slaid isn't going to do much about it as long as she likes living."

"The Smilers are filth. Cannibals. They live in some kind of ship module. It's all lit up with heatless fire and gods know what they do inside. Freaks. We've been at war with them for more than a year. Doesn't make much sense since they don't eat us -they like humans and orcs- but they took my brother, Whiskifiss. Without him, our pets are getting restless. A hobgoblin named Marrow runs them. She knows the Dark Arts. The Smilers aren't the Lords, but they're close enough."

"Then there's the Thralls of Hellion, who are up by the big dish. They were talking about him, or it, or whatever, like it was a god before the Lords got involved. They're doing something up there, but keep more to themselves. Chokers, the lot of 'em. Might be that's got something to do with your fires. It was glowing every night for a while, then stopped."

Rikal listened to the rundown of the gangs, then considered a moment. He asked, "Would the Steel Hawks be willing to go against the Lords of Rust - or at the very least, not provide them aid - if this Birdfood were removed from power and Sevroth Slaid replaced him?"

Rikal listened to the rundown of the gangs, then considered a moment. He asked, "Would the Steel Hawks be willing to go against the Lords of Rust - or at the very least, not provide them aid - if this Birdfood were removed from power and Sevroth Slaid replaced him?"

"There's a good chance. They'd at least stop questioning everyone that came into Scrapwall and passing word on to the Lords."

Chotka stood quietly for a moment, then turned to Rikal.

Rikal considers Chotka's words, then replies.

Hello there, players. I am the machine that you stick posts into and make fun come out. But we are all a part of the machine. It is around us and inside us and doing strange things to our houseplants.

If you haven't already, please get your alias set up and toss the big, important stats like ACs up in the happy gray text under your names for ease of reference. I'll be cobbling together some dice roll macros in due course as well. They're mostly for my convenience, but will be right up on the campaign info page if you want to have your saves or whatever pre-typed.

I will be sending you each a PM with the link to set you up for the Roll20 thingabob quite shortly. It should take no more than a handy little click to get you set.

So, while I'm doing that everybody can say hi and all that weird social stuff that humans are supposed to do. Or so I am told. I would not know. I am a parasite that burrowed into Samnell and ate his insides. But also he didn't know either.

There is a chance that I will not have the Gameplay thread up tonight due to feeling slightly under the weather, but if not it'll be around tomorrow.

I have probably forgotten something, but if I have not then I am wrong. If I am wrong about being wrong, please set me wrong. Or right. However that works.

Aaaaaand I mistakenly sent you all the wrong map link. That'll get you to the page but not make you a player. Sending a new round of PMs now.

heya! checking in!

Howdy! Let me know if I have too much/little in the bar. Also, should we actually do something with roll20 right now?

Checking in.

Howdy! Let me know if I have too much/little in the bar. Also, should we actually do something with roll20 right now?

Your bar is great. I'd only ask you to mark which AC is which so I can tell at a glance. I always forget which is the standard order for the things.

With Roll20, just click the link in the second PM (the one that says it's correct) and you should be set. The remainder of the setup is on my end, paring your account with your token.

I've either just done that for Owen, or given control of him to Karek. Let me know which. :)

Right then, I said big, important stats up in the bar under your name and forgot to specify most of them. The main purpose for that is to let me check things I'll need to reference often when the inevitable carnage erupts. Lots easier to scroll through the thread than to click through six profiles.

So I'd best specify and be helpful for a change: The main things I need up there are your ACs (please mark which is which; T and F are fine as abbreviations for touch and flatfooted), your saves, and your perception mod. You can track more there if you like, but those are the things I'll be using a lot.

Also the Gameplay thread is up.

Hey there guys. Just saw the message and... it's time for bed.

Ah, a fine morning to hunt evil wizardy types and crush mechanical beasts!

Seriously, though, thank you for picking me. This AP Has intrigued me since it came out, but I figured I wouldn't get the chance to play in it since I always seem to be the one running things for my friends.

I've mated Chotka with the Chotka token over at Roll20. If I've got everything right, that means he, Owen, and Bavmorda should be in control of their tokens. I know one more of you has signed in, first initial P, but I'm not sure which token belongs to you. Let me know here, by PM, or you can say something in the chat on Roll20 and I'll get you attached.

Will do once the baby is asleep

That would be me. I changed the name to Rikal.

Ah.... just tried to access Roll20, but looks like I can't use it from my phone. I usually end up posting during the day while I'm out and about, but I'll only be able to see or update the map in the evenings once I get home.

That would be me. I changed the name to Rikal.

You should be in control of Rikal now.

Ah.... just tried to access Roll20, but looks like I can't use it from my phone. I usually end up posting during the day while I'm out and about, but I'll only be able to see or update the map in the evenings once I get home.

We can work around that. I don't mind moving your token when necessary.

Sounds good. I was able to get to the map page.... sorta, by requesting the desktop site. But all I can see is a banner to take the tutorial, and I can't pan the screen or anything, so it might not work at all.

We'll see I guess, and I don't mind getting moved around on autopilot.

oh s@~@e oh s@~*e oh s$@%e i missed the post where game play was up!!!

it's all G. We're just talking

I would like to ask a question to the group, Does any of the group mind the Idea of one of us becoming Black Soverign, or indeed for the Position to be held by the Group Itself in some kinda voting system?

I have it in my head that Izzak really wants to be black soverign but if thats too far out there and you all would like me to riegn that in I will do so.

I'm good with it.

Can't seem to control my token?

Can't seem to control my token?

he has to give you control

@Izzak, go for it.

I'm cool with it. It isn't in Rikal's ambitions.

Can't seem to control my token?

You should be able to now.

Karek Redhand wrote:

Can't seem to control my token?

You should be able to now.

Yup, working fine now.

I didn't want to start planning in character how to make this a thing if the team wasn't behind it. I don't want to take away from others fun by doing some politics

I didn't want to start planning in character how to make this a thing if the team wasn't behind it. I don't want to take away from others fun by doing some politics

For the record, replacing the Black Sovereign is something that would fit very smoothly in the AP.

It's fine by me as well.

ya i'm good with it

I am in DC for a long weekend for my wedding anniversary. Posting will be slow, and when it comes will be from my phone. Please bot me as needed.

sorry that I missed a few days, the baby has been collicky and clingy when I get home.

Sorry I've been so silent. Work has been kicking the crap out of me. I'll be more vocal from now on.

Just to double check on the language: HeroLabs gives me Common and Hallit. I've just been assuming that Common turns into Taldane but on reflection I don't have an int bonus and I think I only have two languages because of my ethnic background. Under our language rules do I only speak Hallit?

I may need to be a little less vocal from now on.

So... I built Bavmorda to be a debuffer, in the AP with immunities to all things requiring will saves and most fort saves. Not the smartest move on the planet. I'm thinking of either rebuilding her or scrapping her and going with a different character entirely. Thoughts?

Just to double check on the language: HeroLabs gives me Common and Hallit. I've just been assuming that Common turns into Taldane but on reflection I don't have an int bonus and I think I only have two languages because of my ethnic background. Under our language rules do I only speak Hallit?

I may need to be a little less vocal from now on.

It would be Hallit, strictly speaking, but you can keep both if you like.

Rebuilding/Replacing PCs and Language Stuff

This has come up a bit in two venues, so probably a good idea to make it clear where I'm coming from. Easy stuff first: You can totally do that. It's no fun to be stuck with a PC that isn't working out for you or doesn't fit in the game like you thought they would. Basically just give me a heads-up and we can get going on it. The simplest way to handle a switch at this point would be to just say that the new PC was with the sworn band all along. Since I'm confident you all get the flavor I'm aiming for here, I'm open to being a little more liberal with class choices and such too.

With regard to the language thing, it's meant to be a flavor piece rather than a controlling interest. If it's become onerous, you can suddenly meet a lot more bilingual NPCs. The goal isn't to mostly shut anybody out of RP. Let me know if it's an issue.

For the language thing I find it pretty amusing. I plan to pick up Taldane as soon as we level up, and then I'll be a bit more talky, but for now the orc is just smiling and playing along with the townsfolk.

That's essentially where I am with the language. A point in Linguistics and I'll have Taldane. I just need to level up first, and I will also be much more talkative.

When I'm not talking you should just assume that I'm stroking my beard thoughtfully and looking solemn unless otherwise noted.

Ouch, so if I'm not mistaken, everyone up front right now is blind? I was going to heal someone up, but it might be best if I try to take it down? What do you guys think? That's assuming there's even room near it. I'll have to check the map when I get home later tonight.

Yeah, might be best if someone hits it.

Karek is going to keep backing away, on 0 hp and blind means he's not going to be doing much.

Ouch, so if I'm not mistaken, everyone up front right now is blind? I was going to heal someone up, but it might be best if I try to take it down? What do you guys think? That's assuming there's even room near it. I'll have to check the map when I get home later tonight.

Everyone except Bavmorda's wolf, which just went through the wringer.

Izaak isn't blind, so he can help when he gets there, but Rikal is just gonna stand against the wall out of the way.

Samnell, a question. Could I use Ear-piercing scream while blinded? It specifies one target and doesn't require an attack roll, but since I can't see, I thought I'd ask before deciding to cast it.

Samnell, a question. Could I use Ear-piercing scream while blinded? It specifies one target and doesn't require an attack roll, but since I can't see, I thought I'd ask before deciding to cast it.

That's a good question. It looks like the rules for targeting spells say otherwise:

Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting the spell.

You could certainly do it if you got up adjacent and spanked the thing. (I wouldn't even require an attack roll, since the spell doesn't, just the ability to get the right square.) I might go for it if the blindheim was still in the same spot as when Rikal got blinded or had closed with him, but it's gone the other way. I'd let you blind target something like a spread effect; you could just say X distance in Y direction relative to the caster. But individual spells are more needy.

Okay, that's fine. I was just trying to think of something else I could do. Staggering it would be most helpful.

Okay, that's fine. I was just trying to think of something else I could do. Staggering it would be most helpful.

It would. The dice seem to love this guy.

Bavs could help, if she could get up the damned cliff... I just rolled.. AN 8. i think that was enough to get her over but...

Really, though, I think I might go with a different character. SHe's just not working.

Can I move towards the enemy effectively even though I'm blind? Not sure how the RP works for that. Never been hit by a one hour(!) blind before.

Can I move towards the enemy effectively even though I'm blind? Not sure how the RP works for that. Never been hit by a one hour(!) blind before.

You can move ahead at half speed while blind, though you can roll an Acrobatics check (DC 10) to move at full speed. If you fail it you fall prone. You can by putting a hand on the wall, so that's not an issue.