The Emerald Spire

Game Master Stormstrider

"Ah yes. Maps. I have procured a supply of materials from which to fashion them, and will gladly assist in their creation going forward. I imagine I could create a passable one of the aquatic level we just vacated, given a bit of time."

"Ah yes. Maps. I have procured a supply of materials from which to fashion them, and will gladly assist in their creation going forward. I imagine I could create a passable one of the aquatic level we just vacated, given a bit of time."

Lonam also has map-making skills & equipment. Perhaps you two should collaborate on that, or discuss among yourselves, and only one focus on maps, so the other can invest into a different skill? Totally your all's choice. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

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Lord Royst having a token was not included in the module. That is something I 'suggested'/tossed in at last moment as I was entering the info, because it would make sense he would have found one (... or more?) So now I am going to have to think about this a bit to see what would convince him to 'supply' you with such a valuable item. You'll notice I specifically did NOT use the word 'give'. It ain't gonna be cheap. :-D

"I don't mind the trip through the other levels, but instant transport could be useful. I could contribute some gold to the cause, if needed," responds Uriel when the discussion of the Spire Token comes up.

Stormstrider here, posting as the NPC Lord Abernard Royst.

When the party goes back to Lord Royst's house and asks him about the possibilities of a second Transport token, he reluctantly admits to having one of them in his possession, but it is quite clear that he has no desire to part with it.
However, as the party discusses this with him further, he does realize this would make both, getting the detailed maps, and finding the source of the piece of statue made of Noqual, much more likely to be successful, not to mention quicker.
He says, "I will make you an offer. 6,000 gold pieces for my Spire Transport Token now, or you can enter into a magically binding contract with me, to provide me the rest of the maps for the entire Spire, with no further compensation, and I give you my token now. What say you?"

I am going to need a majority consent before I can move on, because it all depends on how you travel to the next level as to where you start your explorations. You do have the option of travelling back to the spire by normal mundane means for now as well if you wish. For sake of time I don't do random encounters from the previously visited levels, I just do a rough estimate of the amount of in-game time it takes.

I'm okay with doing the map work, I will contribute all my gold but i dont have nearly enough to make that work.

”Sounds pretty expensive to me,” says Uriel, ”I don’t mind walking.”

Uriel doesn’t think this way, but an exchange for future map services sounds pretty reasonable. Lord Royst takes the risk, but makes it more likely we will succeed. Uriel wants to keep his gold and save up for a magic adamantine Longsword ever since we fought things requiring magic and/or adamantine to damage effectively.

Come on folks! It's my day off & I probably won't have another one for another week (5 days)! I would like to take advantage of this time today to advance the game, but I have to know which way you are travelling to the Spire to be able to do so.

I like the contract idea.

Majority agreement. We shall proceed so.

The party agrees to the contract with Lord Royst and they all sign their names to a document he conjured out of thin air.

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Upon travelling back to the Spire, in the first level you decide to go ahead and try out these tokens to travel directly down to the 6th level. Upon speaking the word for the number six in Azlanti while touching the Spire, you all feel yourselves being affected by the magic and you suddenly appear in a room you have never been in before!

"A padded chair stands on a low dais at the eastern end of this room. A large emblem made from hammered brass hangs on the wall behind the chair, depicting an automaton’s head between interlocking gears. The remaining walls are draped with blue-colored tapestries, except in the northeast corner, where a curving wall of green crystal intrudes into the chamber — the Emerald Spire. On the northern wall is a control panel with one black lever. Two doors exit through opposite sides of a small nook to the southeast, and a third is set in the southwest corner."

"A pair of seven-foot tall automatons armed with polearms stand guard in the chamber. Eerie green light flickers in the joints of their armor."

Upon seeing you all materializing in the room, the automatons immediately move to attack!

CURRENT INITIATIVE:

Top of the round.

Block 1:
Uriel {59 of 59 HP} & Ilyanaro {31 of 31 HP}

HEADS-UP! I just want to emphasize two things here.
One: Polearms = 10 ft reach! Boudacia is out of their range currently, and Ilya is protected by the cover from the dais, but you have been warned!
Two: Notice in the top left of the battle grid, the name of this level: The CLOCKWORK MAZE. 'nuff said.

Ilyanaro takes advantage of his covered position to cast a spell.

"Strike fast, strike true, destroy these automatons."

He then tries to identify the animated statues, wrecking his brain for information.

Kn(arcana): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

Casting haste, using knowledge to ID creatures

As Uriel arrives and sees the automatons move to attack, he thinks, "Great, now I really wish I could have afforded that adamantine longsword."

As his armor fades from golden to battle-grey, he intones, "Iomedae guide us to victory!" Stepping forward into combat, Uriel swings mightily at the strange blue clockwork creature, following up with a second attack and a hasty reverse swing at it as well.

Hasted Masterwork Cold Iron Longsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 1 = 18
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Masterwork Cold Iron Longsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Hasted bonus attack Masterwork Cold Iron Longsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 1 = 25
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

... He then tries to identify the animated statues, wrecking his brain for information.

[Kn(arcana)]24

DC 14 so two extra pieces of info out of 4 possible.

1st Random bits of info?: 1d4 ⇒ 4
2nd Random bits of info?: 1d4 ⇒ 4
2nd Random bits of info? - Reroll: 1d4 ⇒ 4
2nd Random bits of info? - Reroll: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Ilya instantly recognizes these as constructs with their usual traits and immunities. Besides that he knows that these Emerald Automatons also have both low-light & Darkvision (I'm considering both visions as 1 bit of info.) and they are also dependent on magic. If their magic supply were somehow cut off they would become exhausted.

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Uriel then steps forward and slices up the blue colored construct quite badly!

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Uriel realizes however that his sword did not do as much damage as it would to normal beings.

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The blue-colored Automaton drops his Guisarme and attempts to slam the human that just hurt him ...

1st Slam attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Confirm Crit?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 Nope.
2nd Slam attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

and both fists slam Uriel on the head!

Damage 1: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage 2: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

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CURRENT INITIATIVE:

Block 3:
Lonam {47 of 47 HP} & Boudacia {37 of 37 HP}

"More things that do not sleep!"exclaims Boudacia in frustration. The witch then takes a 5 foot step to her left, employs the Misfortune Hex on the Red Automaton and Cackles.

Lonam moves next to Boudacia. ((I am not sure if this provokes from blue construct))

Lonam casts Shield Other on Uriel.

(This spell wards the subject and creates a mystic connection between you and the subject so that some of its wounds are transferred to you. The subject gains a +1 deflection bonus to AC and a +1 resistance bonus on saves. Additionally, the subject takes only half damage from all wounds and attacks (including those dealt by special abilities) that deal hit point damage. The amount of damage not taken by the warded creature is taken by you. Forms of harm that do not involve hit points, such as charm effects, temporary ability damage, level draining, and death effects, are not affected. If the subject suffers a reduction of hit points from a lowered Constitution score, the reduction is not split with you because it is not hit point damage. When the spell ends, subsequent damage is no longer divided between the subject and you, but damage already split is not reassigned to the subject.)

Um, problem here folks. Boudacia cannot move to her left as that is the Emerald Spire!?! There is a reason those squares are solid green and have no grid-lines upon them. A move to her right would work. Or stay where she is, and Lonam moves past her to her right?

Also, if you read my 'attack' post fully, the blue construct dropped his reach weapon.

People please read posts to the full. Too many times people are not reading everything and missing details like this.

ahh, that is the issue with the map
ok, I want Lonam on that back row of squares.

I guess either way with Boudacia & Lonam works, so I'll proceed. *** And Lonam, just to be clear, since Uriel already has a deflection bonus to his AC, he won't benefit from the + 1 to AC from your spell, but he will receive all other benefits.

Red's Will save vrs Misfortune: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

The red-colored automaton swings his guisarme at Uriel as well ...

1st attack roll (Misfortune): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
1st attack roll (Misfortune): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 Miss.

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CURRENT INITIATIVE:

Top of the round.

Block 1:
Uriel {46 of 59 HP} & Ilyanaro {31 of 31 HP}

Uriel, bolstered by the many magics aiding him, continues to attack, first the blue automaton, then stepping to the west and continuing his attack on red if blue goes down.

Longsword Primary Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Longsword Secondary Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Hasted Longsword Primary Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Oops! I forgot to start this previously, it should have started at the end of Uriel's turn, and since it is technically cause dby Uriel's actions I am retroactively starting it. It shouldn't be very bad, as a matter of fact it will most likely be of no effect at all at this point, but I have to put it out there.

During Uriel's first turn, after his second swing of the sword (All 3 attacks hit on the first turn by the way!), sparks and small arcs of electrical energy start popping out of the automaton's body at random ...

Uriel's hasted Reflex save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

but Uriel easily dodges out of their way.

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On Uriel's second turn, he slices deeply into the blue automaton with his first attack, but again he notices it does not do as much damage as it normally would.
His second swing misses it completely, but his 3rd swing finally makes the automaton fall to pieces! And it also quits emitting the electricity.

And Uriel then steps over to face the red automaton.

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CURRENT INITIATIVE:

Block 1:
Uriel {46 of 59 HP} (Already went) & Ilyanaro {31 of 31 HP}

"Time to see if these automatons are immune to magic."

Ilyanaro points his staff and unleashes a glowing bolt of force towards the remaining construct.

Force Missile: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 magical force damage.
SR: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

...Since blue is deactivated, it looks like Lonam and Boudacia are up...

Boudacia bumps into the green crystal curved wall due to not looking properly in that direction before trying to move there. The witch then goes to use Misfortune on the Blue Automaton but seeing Uriel has destroyed it Cackles and Casts Mage Armour instead, saying "A mighty blow Uriel."

Lonam makes a 5-foot adjustment and touches Uriel to cast Cure Moderate Wounds.

Cure Moderate: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 7) + 6 = 14

Lonam is a Combat Medic and does not provoke when using Heal or casing healing spells.

Ilya's Perception check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Ilya realizes that his Force Missile did damage the construct!

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The red automaton seeing Uriel get too close for him to use his guisarme properly, drops it, and tries to slam his fists down upon Uriel ...

1st roll for 1st fist attack roll (Misfortune): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 Miss.
2nd roll for 1st fist attack roll (Misfortune): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

1st roll for 2nd fist attack roll (Misfortune): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
2nd roll for 2nd fist attack roll (Misfortune): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 Miss.

Saved by Misfortune!

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CURRENT INITIATIVE:

Top of the round.

Block 1:
Uriel {59 of 59 HP} & Ilyanaro {31 of 31 HP}

Uriel continues his onslaught, swinging away at the remaining construct with magically enhanced speed!

Longsword Power Attack with Haste: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 1 = 25
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Longsword Secondary Power Attack with Haste: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 27
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Hasted Longsword Power Attack with Haste: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 1 = 28
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Uriel slices and dices like a crazed meat-chopper! And even though his sword does not have full effect, combined with the damage that Ilya did, it is enough! The red automaton also crumbles to pieces on the ground!

OUT OF COMBAT/INITIATIVE!

Breathing heavily, Uriel looks around to see if everyone is okay. ”Thank you all for your help. What kind of creatures are these?” he muses as he prods the remnants of the clockwork gears with his sword...

"They were things made not born, constructs."replies Boudacia.

Boudacia bumps into the green crystal curved wall due to not looking properly in that direction before trying to move there. ...

Thank you for the humour by the way. I enjoyed it and it was MUCH needed! :-D

And as far as things that do not sleep - I again refer you to the northern edge of the map screen where the name of this level is shown: "The Clockwork Maze." Make of that what you will. :-) :-P But be it known, this is the module design. I did NOT do anything to attempt to ruin your 'slumber' hex!

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Now for some further clarification of what is seen in the room. First I'll repeat the 'description' of the room.

"A padded chair stands on a low dais at the eastern end of this room. A large emblem made from hammered brass hangs on the wall behind the chair, depicting an automaton’s head between interlocking gears. The remaining walls are draped with blue-colored tapestries, except in the northeast corner, where a curving wall of green crystal intrudes into the chamber — the Emerald Spire. On the northern wall is a control panel with one black lever. Two doors exit through opposite sides of a small nook to the southeast, and a third is set in the southwest corner."

The brass emblem is too large too carry. It is NOT loot! Neither are the tapestries or the padded chair. :-P

General/generic features of this level: The Clockwork Maze is lit by small lamps fixed to the walls (Cannot be removed easily!) every 30 feet or so and enchanted with continual fame. The doors are good wooden doors, unlocked unless otherwise stated. The ceilings in the hallways are 10 feet high; the ceilings in rooms are 20 feet high.

The black lever on the wall, were the black 'dot/ball'? is? can be moved up or down, and is currently in the center position.

Uriel will help look around the room for items of interest, then shrug and say,"When we are ready, perhaps this door to the southwest?"

Perception in the room: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Perception on the door: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Ilyanaro castsbdetect magic and scans the room.

"These constructs were wielding weapons. I am curious if they were fabricated and armed here or made elsewhere and transported in."

He then goes to the console with the lever and investigates it closer.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Nothing else is found in the room. There are the two guisarmes from the constructs if you wish to take them.

Uriel finds nothing unusual on the southwestern door, and Ilya detects no other magic in the room. He finds nothing else of interest about the lever, only that he can tell it seems to get used frequently.

Uriel will proceed to open the door if the others are ready.

"Well, it would appear this lever sees frequent use. That suggests it is not trapped. Here goes."

Ilyanaro raises the lever to the "UP" position from center.

When Ilya raises the lever, everybody hears massive gear-grinding noises from most every direction around you, except the west.

EDIT: Nothing else seems to happen.

Come on folks! Let's open some doors! Or move the lever to the down position?!? I 'promise' nuttin bad will happen to you! ;-D

Uriel waits by the Southwest door, waiting for Ilyanaro to finish his lever investigations.

If someone don't pick a door AND open it soon, or at least play with the lever some more, then I'm going to pick one and have a hostile open it! :-)
I'm itching for you all to explore this level! It's something I have never seen before and I'm curious to see how I'm going to handle 'presenting' it to you all, and anxious to see if you all can figure it out or not as well! :-D

Uriel walks over to the lever and looks at it with Ilyanaro. ”Look at that—I’ll bet it goes down too,” and Uriel pulls the lever through the middle position to the lower position, pleased with his erudite deduction.

"We will learn little more from this room. Let us continue our exploration and hopefully deduce what this lever really does."

Ilyanaro heads to the western door and motions for Uriel to take point.

"After you, mu good sir."

When Uriel pulls the lever down, you once again hear the noise of gears grinding and heavy movement of ... ? stone? metal ? - from all around you, except from the west.

Same as before, I just forgot to mention the 'heavy movement' stuff before. A door's gonna have to open to be able to move on.

Shrugging, Uriel heads to the southwest door and opens it.

Uriel sees a short hall heading south with another door at the other end, and also the hall turns east.

Uriel will lead the way south down the hallway, being wary for threats and detecting evil as he goes. If he gets to the southern door without noticing anything to the east, he will check that door as well.

Perception in hallway: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Perception on door: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Uriel sees the hall turns south again, and another door in the side of it, but most importantly he sees a secret door!

He does not see any traps on any of the doors.

About to open the door to the south, Uriel catches a glimpse of some unusual stonework to the east on the north wall -- a secret door!

"Let's check out that secret door, if that meets with your approval," suggests Uriel, moving to open the door unless someone objects.

"In general, I always suggest secret doors be opened while we encounter them. If they were hidden from view, there must be a reason. Is it trapped, can we tell?"

Do we have a trap finder anymore?

I think Boudacia and Wayne are pretty good at perception. I am hoping the previous post about no traps on any of the doors includes the secret door Uriel just found...

"Hopefully there is something valuable behind the concealed door." Boudacia says in response to Illaynaro as she moves forward to inspect the door, Wayne on her shoulder. When she is in position, she uses her bestial form ability to give herself +4 perception and then she and Wayne inspect the secret door for traps.

Perception, Boudacia: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Perception, Wayne: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Just for future reference, when I say: "He does not see any traps on any of the doors." I mean person 'x' has not detected the presence of traps on ANY of the doors currently within their perceptible area. Of course, this does NOT necessarily mean that there are no traps! Only that none were perceived. :-D

Wayne seems confused by the request. Boudacia has to show him the actual secret door since he could not locate it. Neither of them perceive any traps on any of the doors within perceptible range.

Lonam? Are you coming along? *** And Ilya, I'm guessing you would have moved closer, so I went ahead and moved your icon. Also, technically anyone can be a trap finder! :-D Now a SAFE trap disabler or for that matter a lock disabler - is entirely a different matter!

Upon opening the secret door, you see:

"This bedchamber is furnished with a desk and plush chairs, a large bed strewn with pillows, a thick carpet, and hanging tapestries in scarlet and gold. A fire crackles in an iron stove in one corner."

There are no visible inhabitants currently in the room.

EDIT: The fire and the desk were not very visible on the map, so I did 'enhance' them a little. It means nothing more than that I made them more visible ... or does it? :-D

"Someone made comfortable quarters down here. Very interesting, and I would be unsurprised to find more hidden doors or panels."

Ilyanaro uses detect magic to scan the room, then takes a closer inspection for hidden objects or doors.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16