Stirrings in the Deep

Game Master Zesdead

Con Check to Stabilize: 1d20 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 3 = 0

A zero. Yikes. Ding me for 1 more cap'n!

I believe already rolled my knowledge (arcana) check earlier

"I don't know - they don't have these things back in Qadira. It's definitely well armored (DR) and immune to fear, charms and illusions."

Seeing the battle unfolding poorly, she tries more desperate measures. "Everyone focus on the automoton. I'll handle the goblin."

Yasmin closes her eyes thinks back to the time she was enthralled. To the time she would do anything for Akbar. When she opens them again, her gaze is locked on the goblin. "Skizzertz! What's going on? Aren't we friends? I think Clanky is malfunctioning and attacking us! Help!"

Cast Charm Person. Will DC 14. The goblin gets a +5 to his save because we're in combat, but I'm hoping he'll also get a -2 for being intimidated by Rallos.

Hearing Yasmin's answer, Sister Zalinsel gives a small smile-probably the first you ever saw

It could work. Only Pharasma knows for sure.What I hold certain is that we will all die.Today, tomorrow, anytime.

Nevertheless, she tries again to hit her mechanical foe, relentlessly, stubbornely, without joy, fear or hope.

attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

But her attention is focused on Grayface slowly losing his blood, on his futile struggle to stay alive, his breath coming shorter on every second, his gasps of pain and twitching body, and so she misses badly.
She stays silent, her grey eyes darting from the warrior on the floor to the automaton. She seems eerily at peace.

I've been like you.I have been alive. I've known the pain, the anger, the despair. I have walked down the path of Death, slowly, with each drop of blood flooding out of my body, and Pharasma nearly welcomed me in her Grave Garden. Then I came back, and she welcomed me in another way.I won't interfere with your Fate, Greyface. I promise you. Maybe you'll be missed by someone.

Yasmin - the increased sparking coming from the automaton, accompanied by the squealing and wrenching of mechanical components, suggests that, even though the device's armour still seems mechanically sound, there are fundamentally ruinous things occurring within...and that, when it does stop...it will probably be as an explosion

Skizzertz save vs Charm Person: 1d20 + 5 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 5 - 2 = 18, Skizzertz saves vs Charm Person

Ea - there isn't any more to learn beyond the additional information I have told Yasmin...so your Lore Keeper ability won't provide any further value

Just waiting on an action from Emerald and then I'll post for Clanky and Skizzertz again...note that, with the cool RP and Skizzertz not making his Will Save by a huge amount, he will probably stick to taunting and waffling on about Lamashtu or something!!!

Also note that you have 1 remaining Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds that you found on the goblins at the entrance to the Spire

I will sort you out a 'Loot' tracker if that will help you in future?

GMPC to keep things moving

Emerald, still barely conscious, reaches into her backpack and, trusting that the goblin concoction is edible, pours the potion down Grayface's throat.

Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds, healing Grayface for: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 1 = 9

Meanwhile Rallos' blade fails to purchase the increasingly juddering Automaton...and Ea misses outright.

"Clanky, Leave the Priestess alone...I want her as an offering to Lamashtu"

Clanky continues it's wild assault, this time targeting the Tiefling.

Clanky, Slam vs Rallos: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10, missing

"Your friends can't help you anymore Priestess...come to me, let me show you the glory of the Mother of Monsters!!!!"

Everyone may take their turn now

Do I have a flanking bonus with Rallos? I haven't included it so far

Obey your master, Clanky, leave me alone. That suits my plans.

Ea tries to strike Clanky, lifting her morning star in a wild blow

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

while answering to Skizzertz

I don't think you have any right to decide my Fate yet, unbeliever.And I don't mean it as an insult, but as a simple fact, as you pray to Lamashtu and I worship Pharasma.We shall see if i'll die a painful death as an offering to your goddess, or peacefully of old age in my bed. The only certainty is that I will die. I know and accept that.

No-one has a flanking bonus as none of you are opposite to each other...

Guys, I can't hurt this thing..I don't have any blunt weapons. I'm gonna try to pepper the gobbo with arrows....try to weaken him and draw his attention to me.

Rallos takes a 5' step back and draws his bow to fire at the gobbo.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d6 ⇒ 5

...or not...

Rallos shouts at Skizzertz Hey wart-face....didn't you mother have 4 legs and moo?

Huh, I was sure I posted on here yesterday

Emerald pulls forth her energy and knits her wounds back together

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

RE: Rallos' comment about blunt weapons-- have we learned that it it resistant to attacks except vs blunt? I don't remember that.

The warrior tastes something awful, but realizes at once that he is conscious again. Back into action!

If we have learned, and shared with the party, that blunt weapons are preferred here, then Grayface will stand from prone, drawing his flail during the move action, and will attack the abomination.
Flail vs Clanky: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

If this knowledge has not been shared with Grayface, he will instead continue to fight with his bastard sword. Grayface will stand from prone, drawing his bastard sword during the move action, and will attack the abomination. Same attack roll as above, with +1, which still doesn't hit.... I can't catch a break here.

@Rallos: So far, we know that Clanky has limited DR against any weapon, if my memory serves well. And quite a low AC, I think.

"Let's see if this thing can handle some cold!"

Yasmin steps up and ice shoots out from her hands! Burning hands, converted to cold.

Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2; Gah - that was lame! Reflex DC 15 for half.

The Damage Reduction / DR is overcome by Adamantine Weapons...something beyond your wealth right now...not by blunt, piercing or slashing weapons..however the DR is pretty low so it hasn't had a huge effect (apart from the occasional damage roll of 1!!!)

Ea lands a vicious blow on the automaton, smashing plates of armour clean off the machine...exposing whirring gearing and electrical circuitry...and then Yasmin follows with a blast of cold that instantly freezes some of the cogs...

Clanky, Reflex Save: 1d20 ⇒ 13, failed - 2 damage

...yet the ice is not enough to stop the automaton attacking Ea..

Clanky, Slam vs :1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14, missing

....and then, with a final whistle of air, the automaton grinds to a halt...

"What?...get them Clanky...smash them..."

....fizzes a little...

"Clanky?"

...and explodes in a shower of metal and sparks..

Everyone within 10 ft...so everyone...must make a DC11 Reflex save or take 1d10 ⇒ 9 damage

Skizzertz Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10, save failed

Skizzertz is instantly silhouetted by the blinding light...the smell of goblin flesh burning is rank in the air...and the sizzled Goblin, spitting a final curse of hatred at you, runs through the door to the west, "You'll be sorry Longshanks....oh yes, you'll be sorry..."

Everyone needs to take / make their Reflex Saves...and then, dependent upon whether you want to chase Skizzertz down, we are out of combat

save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

just wondering....is the damage just regular untyped or is it electric? Just thinking because i have electric resistance

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 Yasmin dives out of the way! I imagine we don't have the strength to pursue.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Gray ducks just in time to dodge jagged shrapnel whizzing by his face.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

At the last second, Sister Zalinsel pushes herself out of harm from the exploding Clanky, listening to some inner voice warning her from imminent danger

As I was in melee against Clanky, shouldn't I save against Yasmin's spell too? If so DC 15 Ref Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Then she runs after Skizzert, trying to catch him before he reaches another room. Between clenched teeth, she says

You can run and you can hide, spawn of Lamashtu, but you can't escape your Fate. Let's see who will be a tribute to the other's goddess.

Rallos gets up after the explosion and spits dust from his mouth.

I am going to jab my sword so far up his....hey...is everyone ok?

Feel a lot better about myself with most of you making those Reflex Saves!!! That could have been quite deadly...

The door to the west swings closed after Skizzertz runs through it...running to it, deftly moving around rubble and smoking sections of automaton, Ea, with others following, pushes the door wide open.

The curving hall beyond the door has been badly damaged, but there are intact doors to the south and to the west, as well as a large double door to the north…presumably leading to the core of the ruins. The southwest corner of the room has collapsed in a mound of green glass rubble, but a tunnel runs through the debris…shored up by rough timbers. There is a cacophony of shouting and cursing coming from this tunnel…at it’s entrance, Skizzertz has snagged his cloak on a protruding plank and is trying to free himself…

Map update to follow shortly

Rallos draws his bow and looses and arrow at the gobbo.

I see you, runt!!

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d6 ⇒ 2

Grayface gives chase along with the others, reaching down and retrieving his thrown dagger as they pass. When the rogue fires a shot at the goblin, Gray chucks his dagger as well for good measure.
"You better hope this kills you runt, because I'm comin' for ya!"
Thrown Dagger: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Dmg: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Though I'm sure that's a miss

Skizzertz, wrenching at his cloak, barely notices Rallos and Grayface's attacks...both of which fall way short...

Map updated, Ea may attempt to stop Skizzertz escaping...

Also, in relation to Ea's question re: saving against Yasmin's Burning Hands...no-one was in the cone so no-one need make a save...

Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Blast! Gray, let's go chase that little rat down. Ea, please help Emarald...we need her. It is not her time to go. If we have her, we can send more of these dogs to meet your goddess. Quickly now! Gray, let's go!

With that, Rallos shoots at the gobbo.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 211d6 ⇒ 1

it figures...I hit and i get a flesh found....

What's the initiative order right now? Can I act again? If so, I will double-move (difficult terrain) and move adjacent to Skizz, drawing my blade as I move. I haven't moved my character on the map, as I'm not sure of the initiative status.

I only have melee weapons, can i try to hit the Goblin anyway, as i followed him right from the start? Waiting for your answer to post

I had planned on being out of initiative...but it seems kind of important now...

Will ignore Round 1 (where everyone followed Skizzertz) as we didn't realise Emerald was unconscious / dying

So first round that counts is Rallos / Grayface shooting (or throwing) from the door and missing...I will rule that Ea, somehow, managed to keep up with Skizzertz (running in the round that I am ignoring) and can engage him in Melee in this first round

So I need:

• An attack roll from Ea
  
• A Save vs Dying from Emerald (at -9)
  
• An action from Yasmin (Heal Check DC15,or similar to stabilise?)

...which will bring us to Round 2, where, so far Rallos has acted (hitting and scratching Skizzertz!!!

Round 1 attack

attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 can't get any clumsier.^^
dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"You'll pay for what you did to Clanky!!! I'm going to come back for you Longshanks... And when I do, you'll all learn to serve Lamashtu!!!", and with that, Skizzertz wriggles free of his cloak and scurries down the tunnel...into the swirling snow beyond...

Sticking out of the pocket of his caught cloak...a crude stick-like wand...the same wand that the goblin used to cure himself...

I hope Skizzertz escaping / and leaving his wand behind doesn't seem like too much of a cop-out!!! Character death at this level can be quite arbitrary...and a couple of bad dice can see you out...

On the down-side, you didn't get all of Skizzertz's loot and...just maybe...he might come back to pester you!!!

Will there be enough time? Only Pharasma can decide and know.

Ea quickly picks the wand up, and runs as fast as possible on the treacherous ground, backs to Emerald's side

No problem with me, sounds a good trade off. How far am I from Emarald, and how long would it takes me to get by her side? I don't remember if I can double move on that kind of ground...Difficult terrain means *2 cost for movement. Happily, I don't need a UMD check to use the wand.

Stabilize: 1d20 + 1 - 9 ⇒ (18) + 1 - 9 = 10 Wow, that's convenient, and here I thought the dice roller had it out for me.

Okay, as Emerald stabilised at -9, there is no drama about how long it takes to get back to her...

Work out your healing...and then, what are you up to? Resting or Moving On? Note that resting worked out okay last time because you weren't in the central goblin area...where you are now...not so much!!!

"We must rest and recover. Our work day was short but at least we slaughtered some more of the vermin up here. Are these foul little goblins in league with the bandits we're hunting?"

Gray picks up again picks up his friend Emerald, cradling her bloody limp form in his strong embrace, and carries her to the northwest tower where the party rested the night before, gingerly walking over the rubble and detritus.

As soon as Emerald seems out of danger of dying-for now-Ea whispers a prayer to Pharasma. Tracing the holy spiral over the girl's chest, she calls upon the Lady of Graves favor, before Grayface carries her to a more secure place

Maybe your time hasn't come yet.You are more resilient that you seem.

CLW spell: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Her cold voice warns the huge warrior
Beware, Grayface. She nearly died. If you displaced her too quickly, you might have reopened her wounds, and there would have been nothing I could do to save her.

Her emotionless eyes scan the ragtag group, the wounds on Rallos, on Grayface, the palor of Emarald

Don't move yet.Stay close to me.

Ea concentrates and a grey pulse of chilling energy slowly covers everyone

Channeling: 1d6 ⇒ 4

The wounded feel the displeasing relief of their graves throwing out their bodies...but patiently waitng for the next opportunity.

So Emarald is now at 4 HP, Grayface 9 HP, and Rallos 8 HP

Many thanks, Ea. We should make a little 'fort' in the room we were in before. I will set tripwires to warn us of any interlopers.

craft traps: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

nothing drastic with the alarms, just a wire set to warn us

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"Sounds good to me," agrees Yasmin.

Looking up at the grim face of Ea as she comes around Emerald smiles weakly. "I'm sorry, I appear to be more of a liability than aid on our venture, if we can just rest a while I should be able to get back on my feet."

About halfway through the night, there is a large commotion towards the south of the ruins...the deep voice that you previously heard starts shouting, there is the unmissable sound of things being thrown and smashed...and at least one blood curdling scream from a hurt goblin... But it comes to nothing, no one / nothing triggers Rallos' trap... And you all get a reasonable rest...

...in the morning though, there is an insistent scratching noise at the door...

Everyone heals a further 1 HP - you can treat this as a new day with regards to spells, channeled energy, etc

You are not a liability...just unlucky. I think fortune will be on our side today.....foryune smiles on the bold, after all.

Rallos smiles at Emarald.

I think the boss is a little mad. I hope that was not the little taod we faced that got smashed....I have a score to settle with that maggot.

In the evening,as they camp, Ea tends to Emarald's wounds

taking 20 on my Healing check, total 27. Emarald should get another HP from her rest.

After praying silently to Pharasma the following morning, Sister Zalinsel speaks to the oread

Maybe you should take the wand with you, Emarald, if you can use it. I can heal myself, if needed.

Daily spells: Deathwatch (Dom), CLW, Doom. Orisons: Light, Stabilise, Guidance

"My thanks, and I thank you for your care."

Sister Zalinsel nods silently first, barely recognising Emarald thanking, watching over the now closed and clear wounds. The oread feels like Ea's trying to estimate how long she will stay alive.
Not a very comforting thought...

Then, after a few seconds of silence Zalinsel locks eyes with Emarald and says

Running after Skizzert, instead of tending your wounds right away, was a calculated risk. We couldn't take the chance of letting him warn his whole tribe of our presence, and coming back to annihilate us all. Besides, we saw him using the curing wand, and that item could potentially save our lives in the future. I understand that you think i'm heartless, because I nearly sacrified you for the safety of us all. If that is of any comfort for you, I would have buried your body in a safe, nice spot, and prayed for your soul to ensure Pharasma's servants would watch over your peaceful death.

with these gloomy words,the priestess of Pharasma turns back, and prepare herself for whatever Fate will bring.

A further 1HP added to Emerald from Ea's care during Rest

Scritch, Scritch, Scritch…

The constant scratching noise at the door is becoming more insistent…

Well, how about we send some of those mongrels to meet your goddess ahead of us then, eh? Rallos says with a grin.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 to try to determine what is making the scratching noise.

We might have some company, guys.

Rallos then stands beside the door, ready to pounce on anyone coming through the opening.

"You did what you thought prudent, Ea. What matters is we are here now. Thank you for the blessing. Those wounds surely would have been infected...that construct was filthy."

At the sounds of scratching, the warriors jumps to a readied position, sword and board at the ready.

"Open the door, I will strike it down"
Readied action to strike anything...that looks like an enemy!

Rallos – it is difficult to tell what the scratching may be coming from, it sounds like fingernails or claws slowly scraping against wood…yet, as hard as you listen, it doesn’t sound like anything is breathing on the other side of the door…

Grayface to ready an action to attack whatever is on the other side of the door (assuming it is an enemy) – who is opening the door? Any other readied actions?

Ea touches Grayface shoulder, twisting and manipulating the threads of Fate slightly

Cast Guidance to give him a +1 on next action

Then the grim priestess takes place near the door, ready to open it when the massive warrior feels it convenient

I don't hear any breathing....it may be undead. I will open thedoor...everyone ready? On my count.....3......2.......1........go! Rallos then pulls the door open for the Gray and Ea to smash whatever it is on the other side.

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