The Devil's Gorge (and Beyond)!

Game Master Rynjin

Wait... that isn't the flying thing in which I arrived the pyramid, isn't it?

Charlotte turns to Thetsu "I... don't know. But if it's dangerous be prepared to push buttons again."
Having said that, the masked woman draws his darts and prepares for the worst, expecting the best.

No, it's not.

The object comes through. It is rounded and somewhat flattened, with a triangle shaped hole in the bottom. It descends from the sky (for quite a while, the hole must be much higher up than it appears) and slots that hole into the top of the pyramid. There is a slight shaking as it settles, and then clamps itself to the summit.

TBH I expected you guys to just hit the off switch on the beacon-cum-portal device. This'll be fun.

Well if we wussed out of every situation how would we get our hands on awesome alien technology?

"Think we might have visitors here soon."

Dorla drinks her extract so as to be ready for whatever is coming.

It's been a while since we've done much, and for some reason my character sheet doesn't show this extract as already prepared. However, I consider a few fly extracts as something that I just make at the beginning of every day. If this is a problem, I'll just have to use a potion instead.

For simplicity's sake, let's assume the day has reset here. Everybody's resources have recharged, and post your full prepared Extracts list in Discussion for me.

Olsson keeps an eye on the goings on above, his tiny doppelganger floating into view holding long wooden pipe and tobacco pouch. The objects, nearly the same size as the floating splinter personality carrying them, look massive in Splinter's tiny dwarven hands.

Olsson reaches out without looking and takes the pipe and pouch, stuffing aromatic herb shreds into the well-used smoking device.
After a moment Splinter mimics the action with replica pipe and pouch he pulls from thin air.

Both duergar light their pipes and inhale deeply, then puff in synch.

So ehhhh, Spaceship was a bit much I take it?

Thetsu tosses a piece of bread into the light beacon thingy.

I'm just not sure what to do.

You could always go up and see what's happening up there. Wait and see what happens. Leave, if you want. Other stuff I haven't thought of.

Splinter rises into the air, dropping his pipe to vanish a few inches below him, and floats cautiously up towards the bizarre contraption.

I can handle it. If unharmed by proximity, Splinter moves up over to it and relays back what he sees to Olsson

Sorry, I thought I'd said that Dorla drank her extract as preparation and then was watching and waiting for the thing to descend.

It did descend, then it landed on top of the pyramid.

Assuming nothing else happens in the next round, Olssonputs his pipe away and tells the others he wishes to investigate the anomaly closer

At first Dorla waits to see what the thing does. After Olsson makes his suggestion, Dorla flies up closer to investigate. She brings Chirrup with her, and asks Olsson to send Splinter up with them. I have enough fly liquids that I can share with one other PC if someone wants to come up also, but if I give them to the whole party, I'll need to rest before we explore much further. Let me know what you guys think.

"Mmmh... oh! How interesting!" comments Charlotte as he inspects the thing from afar. As soon as Olsson comments his intention to investigate it, she nods "Why yes, indeed! It's ay flying metal thing, of course I am inspecting it more closely. In fact, I intend to get into it if at all possible."

Having said that, the masked womans inspects the room's walls, trying to discern if she could blink his way up there.

Can teleport up to 60' per round, if I have any platform or such along the way I wouldn't need the fly liquid. Otherwise... please, please, pretty please!

The options are basically "Fly or take the stairs". You probably don't want to take the stairs, it's still really high up.

How far up about? If the top of stairs is within 800 ft, Ill Fold Space to there; otherwise, I go as far as I can

Olsson nods assent, and Splinter drifts lazily upwards with hands outstretched to the sides. Olsson moves a bit up the stairs, then blurs and disappears, materializing far above.

About 3000 feet still, and half speed up stairs. This pyramid is the size of a small mountain as you'll recall. It doesn't help that you descended a few 100 feet to get to this chamber.

Thetsu seems slightly disappointed no one wanted to take the stairs but knows it would be kind of a pain for everyone else.

"Dorla, can I get one of your potions so I can fly up too?"

Charlotte waits to see if there's a potion available to here. According to her calculations, getting to the top of the pyramid by blinking in and out of the void would amount to aproximately five minutes, but without the need to endure the strain or tiring herself.

"I could... climb the stairs. Fast, I think, and without tiring myself... but not immediately. If you have an spare extract I could use to get there I'd appreciate it, but don't stretch your resources too thin if not." she says to Dorla with an ample smile... or so you think, as she hasn't removed her crystal mask.

ETA provided by dividing 3000 ft by 60 ft -maximum distance Charlotte can teleport per round-, which amounts to 50 rounds or 5 minutes of teleporting with her stance.

Dorla takes 1 minute to mix an extra fly infusion. Then she hands fly out to the others (except Chirrup and Splinter). (also updating currently carried extracts and slots remaining)

Once the others are ready, she leads the way up. She stays close to the stairs to avoid disaster if something goes wrong.

ETA provided by dividing 3000 ft by 60 ft -maximum distance Charlotte can teleport per round-, which amounts to 50 rounds or 5 minutes of teleporting with her stance.

Psh, I could make that in half the time. No fancy teleporting required! Just good old fashioned running.

Thetsu flies close to Dorla just in case.

Imagining how a monk would fight without needing to touch the ground. Flips and spins galore!

You reach the top of the stone stairs, and they lead into metal ones going up the side of the vessel. Assuming you proceed up them, they enter into a large bay.

Inside are strange, almost insect-like creatures. Some are crawling into vehicles (or you assume so, though they have no visible means of propulsion or locomotion) that, like the rest of the interior, seem to be some odd mix of mechanical and organic materials. They do not appear to notice you, though you stand in open space only 100 feet away from the nearest one.

Dorla glances at the others. Assuming that they don't gesture in any meaningful way, she walks closer to the nearest creature. She stops about 10 ft away and observes it. She hopes that her companions are staying close.

Anybody can make a Kn. Nature check to identify these, though the DC for these creatures is 20+CR rather than the norm. You may have heard vague stories about them and can make observations from what's in front of you, but they are otherworldly.

You creep closer steadily. When you first start walking, the nearest stiffens, turning the side of its strange, lumpy head towards you. Upon closing to 30 feet of it, its head snaps around and it releases a high pitched clicking noise, drawing the attention of the dozen or so others still outside of their crafts. They begin slowly making their way toward the sound as the one nearest you pulls out an odd bulbous rod from its side and points it at you.

Good Guys: 4d20 ⇒ (1, 16, 13, 17) = 47

Blocks 1, 2, 3: 3d20 ⇒ (6, 20, 4) = 30

Four of the further away aliens home in on the alerted one's position, taking to the sky. They, too, seem not to notice you until they're almost on top of you, but once within range each train similar bizarre weapons with equally uncanny accuracy, following even the tiniest twitches of your body.

Everyone but Charlotte! They seem hostile, though have not yet attacked. You're not sure whether that's because they couldn't get a bead on you in time or they're threatening you.

Thetsu frowns and tries to ascertain their intentions.

Sense Motive if I have time: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

They are about as inscrutable to you as they can get, having no face and unfamiliar body language. Their true intentions remain unknown, but you get a hunch that they are giving you a chance to surrender before firing.

Chirrup lifts up a few inches off Dorla's shoulder to show that he's a separate thing. He looks at the strange beings and emits strange little clicking sounds. This is not supposed to be any language; it's just that Chirrup is trying to show off the ways he's different from humanoids so he maybe can connect to these creatures.

They seem to have no clue why the little machine is chirping at them.

Any actions, or their initiative?

Dorla lifts off the ground and readies a bomb attack if they attack her or any of her allies.

Everyone but Charlotte! They seem hostile, though have not yet attacked. You're not sure whether that's because they couldn't get a bead on you in time or they're threatening you.

I was waiting for the rest because of that line. If I am to act, though, give me a shout out and I will do it.

I was mostly waiting for Thetsu since his action would have had the most impact, and Olsson who hasn't posted in a while.

The creatures, displeased by your uncooperative nature, attack in unison.

They flick little switches on their guns, and fire, an extraordinarily low pitched sound coming from the weapons.

Dorla Bomb: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Damage: 5d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 3, 2, 5, 6) + 7 = 27

Weapons vs Dorla: 2d20 ⇒ (8, 17) = 25 Two hits.
Damages: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 5, 5, 1) + 12 = 25

Weapons vs Thetsu: 2d20 ⇒ (20, 19) = 39
Damages: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 2, 4, 3) + 12 = 26

Weapon vs Charlotte: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9

Confirm?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 4) + 6 = 16

More of the aliens move closer, but can't seem to quite get into sight range.

Dorla take 25 damage, Thetsu take 26 damage, and Charlotte take 25 damage (this damage is SONIC NONLETHAL damage). Dorla and Thetsu must EACH make two DC 14 Fortitude saves or be Nauseated for 1 round. Charlotte, due to the critical hit, is Nauseated for 1 round without a save.

Charlotte, you are up. Contrary to the FAQ you DO get your Swift, Immediate, and Free actions available to use, and you do get to draw your available maneuvers as usual. If you have some way to swap them out (particularly to get condition removal like Temporal Body Adjustment, now would be a good time).

The rest of you ARE up as well, thinking on it, since the delay would have shifted Initiatives around. The new Initiative should look like this:

Fort saves: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27,1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Dorla lets her body heal itself of damage free action to use spontaneous healing, +5 hp, then throws a bomb at the creatures.

attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Did I just got headshotted with a Star Trekk's gun on Stun Mode? Anyway, time for some action.

Charlotte lets out a shriek of pain as his mind is overflown with pain to the point of having to fight against her body to even act.
"Aaag... don't... let them... zap you...
Having witnessed the thingies' weapon in action, the masked woman draws forth energy from the shadows and infuses each of her allies with it.
A obscuring penumbra protects and bolsters them now.
Spending a point of animus to cast a Darkness glyph on everybody. For 5 rounds you get concealment (20% miss chance), see invisibility and darkvision.

Without dissipating the shadows, Charlotte starts to shine until the point where she bursts into spectral flames. The flames flow to her cards and desite the searing pain from the thing's gun, she stands proud.
Swift Action changing Stance to Elemental Flux Stance. Resistance 15 to fire, extra damage and fast healing 1

Finally, if targetted again, Charlotte will use Altered Penumbra as an immediate action. Stealth check oppossed by the attacker's perception to teleport 10' to the side and leave an image in my place.
Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

Thetsu confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 = 13

Amendment, Thetsu takes that extra damage, and is also Nauseated.

"Urrgh, I don't feel so good." Thetsu stumbles slightly and tries to shake it off but succumbs to the sickness lasers before simply entering his Haze.

Olsson adjusts his position to better strike the strange creatures, then unleashes a blast of numbing cold at them!

Energy Bolt: 9d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 5, 1, 4, 2, 1, 3, 4, 2) + 9 = 32

Move and aim to hit most targets possible with line, DC 23 Fort save for half

I believe Dorla might actually be back, so here we go.

Olsson's blast of cold washes over the Mi-Go, bothering not a one of them in the slightest. Their clicking increases in pitch, in what you can only assume is laughter.

1d20 ⇒ 17

Dorla's bomb, likewise, does not deal any damage whatsoever to the missed target. A direct hit might do more, but the mere splashing of flames is not even an irritant to these creatures.

More of the aliens move closer, all within firing range now. All twelve fire, 3 bolts aimed at each of you.

Vs Charlotte: 3d20 ⇒ (6, 1, 16) = 23

Vs Dorla: 3d20 ⇒ (15, 4, 6) = 25

Vs Olsson: 3d20 ⇒ (12, 5, 12) = 29

Vs Thetsu: 3d20 ⇒ (10, 20, 19) = 49

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Confirm Thetsu?: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Charlotte dodges one, then teleports out of the way of another blast, but the creatures do not seem to even notice her cunning illusion or invisibility, and the third aims directly at her new location. Caught off guard, she takes the full force of the attack.

Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 = 17

Dorla dodges one, but her move was anticipated as two more slam into her before she can catch her balance.

Damage: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 6, 4, 2) + 12 = 28

Olsson is still stunned that his power had no effect, and is easily rocked by all three of the blasts fired at him.

Damage: 6d6 + 18 ⇒ (6, 6, 3, 1, 6, 5) + 18 = 45

And Thetsu, poor Thetsu manages to dodge one even in his weakened state...and then is nailed directly in the stomach by another, expelling a torrent of vomit. So distracted is he that he barely feels the next blast hitting him.

Damage: 6d6 + 18 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 6, 4, 1) + 18 = 37

So, all damage is still Sonic Nonlethal. 17 damage to Charlotte, 28 to Dorla, 45 to Olsson, and 37 to Thetsu.

Initiative is back to you guys, but Thetsu is still Nauseated.

Can I tell if it was power resistance or resistance to the energy type?

You did not feel a resistance to the power, the cold just had no effect on them.

Dorla shakes her head in frustration at the strange creatures. Then she throws another bomb.

attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Charlotte?

Sorry, familiar medical emergency. 87 yo grandpa doing Fort Saves et al.

Charlotte stumbles from the pain, his body slowly returning from its numbness to its gile self.

With a flick of the wrist, the masked woman focuses his inner energy and time seems to slow around his burning weapon as it flies towards the last creature that fired at her.

Expending Three Points of Animus to gain +6 to hit, using Time-Thief's Talon maneuver.
Deadly Aim Attack Roll: 1d20 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 12 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 18 = 31
Stance's Fire Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7
If it hits I regain 18 Hit Pints

I forgot about it, but they would have been able to ignore it anyway.

Olsson focuses his psionic might to unleash another blast, this time one of crackling lightning!

Energy Bolt: 9d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 3, 3, 5, 4, 1, 2, 3) = 27

DC 25 Ref for half

4d20 ⇒ (11, 3, 5, 11) = 30

All fail to get out of the way in time, though the lightning as well seems to have a diminished effect on the strange creatures.

Likewise, Charlotte nails one with her card, but the flames fizzle out as they touch the creature. Luckily for it, as it would likely have died otherwise.

Dorla's Bomb 5d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 4, 2, 2, 3) + 7 = 23 rectifies that mistake.

In the interest of keeping things streamlined (since it's a max of 2 damage anyway), I'm rolling one save for everything in the splash radius. 1d20 ⇒ 5

The two near it are mildly annoyed by the splashing fire.

The angry Mi-Go retaliate, focusing somewhat on Olsson.

Vs Olsson: 5d20 ⇒ (16, 5, 4, 8, 9) = 42
Damage Olsson: 8d6 + 24 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 3, 6, 2, 3, 3) + 24 = 47

Vs Charlotte: 2d20 ⇒ (16, 9) = 25
Damage: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 1, 6, 3) + 12 = 24

Vs Dorla: 2d20 ⇒ (12, 5) = 17
Damage Dorla: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 5, 3, 5) + 12 = 30

Vs Thetsu: 2d20 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

47 damage to Olsson, 24 to Charlotte, and 30 to Dorla.

Olsson and Dorla, please correct your HPs. Olsson has taken 92 total damage and Dorla 50 (including healing). Everybody is up, and nobody is Nauseated!

Thetsu manages to snap out of the nausea and immediately pounces upon the nearest Mi-Go whilst roaring in fury.

Ki Point for extra attack and Dragon Style.

FLYING KICK: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
Damage 1: 1d10 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23

Ki Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Damage 2: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22

Flurry: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Damage 3: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

Attack 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Damage 4: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26

Thetsu savages a pair of Mi-Go, crushing their mushroom-like heads against the ground with each hand.

I thought this was non-lethal damage? 25 on Jan 17, 28 on Jan 25, 30 today, so total non-lethal damage of 83, but 5 was healed, leaving 78 non-lethal damage. Because 78<93 (Dorla's HP), none of the damage is lethal, right? So still at full HP. Or am I misunderstanding how non-lethal damage works?

I missed a 25 damage hit. But it still ticks up, and ti is much easier if you put how much nonlethal damage you have somewhere on your bar so I don't have to keep looking it up.