The Festival of the Damned

Game Master Green Smashomancer

fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

initiative: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Azrael and Abel are deafened for Duration: 1d3 ⇒ 3 rounds.

The stairs that slide down in place seem safe enough to climb, but lights glowing faintly from the room don't offer a sense of ease. Red to green, to red again, they shift. The voice in the room, though mottled by radio static, is loud and clear. Especially that first part.

"WHY DO THE BEINGS CURSE IT SO? SUCH IS THE LOT OF WE, THE SELF PROCLAIMED HUNTERS!"

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Round 1

BBSB

Lanliss

Seraphina

Abel

Gwynn

Azrael

???
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Gonna say, yes Azrael is not shaken, but because this is not a fear effect, the Aura of Courage does not confer it's bonuses. I leaned pretty heavily towards no, but I'd hate to see things turn too far south before the fun part.

What! Did someone say something? Lanliss grabs his rifle, his eyes darting around nervously. He hefts the gun to his shoulder. Ready action. If someone shoots at them with a ranged weapon, he'll shoot back.

Abel being in a bad way, tries to wait out his hearing problem

Azrael grits his teeth as he mades his way upstairs. The poison running through his bloodstream and now the ringing noise desfening him... Today wasn't a good day.

Once upstairs the paladin scans the room and prepares his scythe in case of an enemy attack.

Readying an attack in case anything hostile walks up to him

Readied Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 4) + 7 = 15

Azrael walks his way up the stairs and it isn't hard to find the source of the speech at this point. On the other side of the room are two mechanical menaces. The most immediately pressing one is a five-legged creation of steel and brass, as the spiderbots from before, if not significantly larger. And very aware of the intruder standing 40 ft. away. It fires a spear sized object from the round head jutting out of the front of the thing. Three glass eyes peer lifelessly from the brass head in a cluster.

*THUNK*: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10

The cluttered floor is packed with large wooden boxes stacked up to shoulder height, despite these obstacles the large projectile hits its mark squarely in the sternum.

The second of the pair is a rickety construction of metal, rubber tubing, and wood. The construction is chained by its limbs to the wall, trying violently to tear free. Most notably, it is topped with a glass container. With a brain encased within.

The paladin watches the scene with a puzzled expression "WHAT IN THE NAME OF HAR-" still deafened but his words get cut by the spear shaped UFO that not so gently tapped hiw chest, the force slamming Azrael against a wooden box. "AAAAAAARGH!"

Just wanted to post to mention I did forget to add Seraphina's channel to Azrael hp so instead of being close to death with 4 HP I am close to death with 12

Gwynn runs over and magically pokes Azrael with her Inspired Assault power.

+1 Atk for on minute. Mental Focus is at 5/7 for the day.

Paging Seraphina. Paging Seraphina to the boss fight.

Seraphina enhanced the others with usual +1 Weapons.

Lanliss raises his rifle as soon as he hears Azraels scream, but nothing appears within his line of sight. Dammit! Azrael!

A,C,E,F: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Electric Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5
Splash: 1d6 ⇒ 6

*THUNK*: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 4 = 5
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

The creaking humanoid mass against the wall jerks and pulls against its bindings as a compartment opens in its chest revealing a short, wide barrel. It loudly jettisons a small payload, which, now that the first intruder is out of sight, is aimed at Gwynn, the second person up the stairs. The bomb explodes directly at Gwynns feet, further injuring Azrael as well. The many-legged bot fires at Azrael, impaling the oak desk he's behind at the moment, before visibly adjusting its aim towards Gwynn. A shame, that desk was still nice too.

"IT BURNS, WHY DOES IT BURN!? WHY MUST THE OTHER PUT US IN A JAR?! WHAT DOES IT DO WITH THAT JAR!? WHY MUST SECRETS BE SO?!"

Through the ensuing chaos, Gwynn and Azrael are able to make out the state of the floor between them and the menacing mechanical marvels. It seems cluttered with turned over furniture in what looks like a deliberate barricade between the stairs and the mechanized malevolent machines. A couple of the projectiles are sticking up from the floor. Already it seems to hamper footing.

You may take two paths to reach the enemy. There is difficult terrain, but soft cover on the ground. Or you may attempt a DC 17 acrobatics/DC 5 climb check to mount one of the overturned bureaus, then following that, three further acrobatics checks at DC 10 to leap across more such high barriers. Either option will require at least a full rounds worth of effort. Knowledge engineering to learn about the big spider, and Knowledge Arcana for the other thing. You folks out of line-of-sight will need to move in to attempt the check.
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Round 2

BBSB

Lanliss

Seraphina

Abel

Gwynn

Azrael

???
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Just remembered Lanliss wouldn't hear Azraels scream. Oh well, wouldn't have made a difference.
Lanliss runs up the stairs. What is it? Guys? ... Holy $#!+ What is that thing!
atk: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 2 = 19
damage: 1d10 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1
Lanliss fires his rifle, then studies the creature for a moment.kn. Arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

kn. Engineering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Azrael, ever ready, grabs the spear-like object lodged in his chest and removes it as he moves behind the closest wooden box. "Hardammit, I hope my sternum isn't as broken as it feels..." Crouching behind cover and with his mind keen on dodging any subsequent shots, the paladin scouts the room for a way towards the abominations.

As his friends maketheir way to the room he waves for them to take cover "I'll try to flank it, but I won't be able to withstand more psin before I pass out. You'll need to cover me!"

Move action to move and crouch behind a crate, standard for Total Defense (AC 22 now) and free action to pray that Har-Kul replaces the RNG this combat

Winded and wincing from the blast, Gwynn turns back to the also-wounded Azrael, sticks her hand into her pocket and pulling out a white, round bell, ringing it in his direction.

Casts Cure Light Wounds.

Cure: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Abel's going for path 2, he can make the checks

climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Abels takes a deep breath ignoring his lack of hearing, Center myself and move, eliminate unimportant senses and distractions. Abel climbs atop the overturn bureau, ever calm, I will be a distraction, it is the most i can do at this moment.

Noticing Azrael was hurt, Serephina spent a spell point to allow the magic to continue, while freeing her own ability to help. She moved over to the wounded Paladin and gave him a boost to help with Gwynn's.

Lay on Hands: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

-----
Assuming Lanliss' target was the Alchemical Golem.
Lanliss fires true, but the damage seems to go under the golems notice.

"THEY TAKE THE COLD FROM THIS ONE! THEY DO! THEY WANT WHAT ALL WANT FROM WE! WE THE HUNTERS OF SECRETS! KINDRED IN BETRAYAL! BUT WE WILL RETURN TO THE COLD IN TIME."

-----
Round 3 action It seems that the Big Bad SpiderBot was not distracted by Abel for long as it turns to Gwynn, its previous target, still exposed for a *THUNK*'in as suddenly as it shifted away. Provoking an AoO from Abel.
*THUNK*: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
foreign object: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12

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Round 3

BBSB Went

Lanliss

Seraphina

Abel

Gwynn

Azrael

Strange Golem
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As a reminder, Azrael should have 21 HP now, and anyone besides Abel pressing further into the room will now be doing so through difficult terrain. I recommend most take cover, feel free to ask questions.

"THANK YOU " Azrael yells -still deafened- to Sera and Gwynn with a kind smile as the positive energy washes over him, alleviating his pain and closing his wounds.
"TAKE COVER AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FIRE, YOU TOO LANLISS!" the paladin holds his scythe low as he moves to the rubbish and rubble filled way towards the mechanical menace keeping a low profile "DON'T TRY TO BE A HERO, DAMMIT ABEL!"

I figure I need at lwast a double move this round to reach the nutbot and mechatarantula. In any case I try to end behind cover

Serephina winced slightly since she was the only one who could hear, and moved into cover. She threw a bolt of magic as she withdrew.

Low Destructive Blast: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Also, I should note, Lanliss is no longer deafened by this round, Abel and Azrael only have this round left for their penalties.

Lanliss moves about 15 feet away from the constructs, and ducks behind cover. Dammit Abel! Get back

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
percept: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

aoo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Abel lacking in the hearing department at the moment fails to acknowledge his comrades complaints as he works on kicking the fleeing robot to draw it's attention.

Paging Gwynn.

Gwynn raises her pistol and snaps off a shot at the nearest construct, biting her tongue and hoping for the best.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
1d6 ⇒ 4

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Lanliss tucks into cover and shouts fruitlessly to his hearing-impaired ally.
-----
Seraphina slides into safety while firing at her opposition, however the errant debris proves too difficult to settle on, and the shot goes wide into an oak bench. The sustained residual effects of her previous spell continue to benefit her allies.
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Abel strikes a joint in the head of metal thing in front of him with a resounding clang. A semblance of his senses return, rushing back in full soon after.
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Gwynn fires a bullet, streaking into the shouting golem's chassis. Though the construct is far from coherent, it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
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You are correct in your assessment. Azrael trudges through the obstacles in his way, lifting his feet and ending at an overturned and empty shelf, the last bit of cover between him and the enemy. He seems to have a run of luck, as he can just barely hear the sound of Abels fist strike the hull of the five-legged bot. As well as the rambling of the other contraption.
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"PLAN DIDN'T WORK, IT DIDN'T WORK, IT. DID. NOT. WORK, I SAY!

'NECRAL RESURRECTION
SETS THE WHEELS IN MOTION'"

The malfunctioning robot sounds like its reciting... something as it fires once more at Gwynn, who has yet to take cover from the repeated assaults.
A,C,E,F: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Bomb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Cold Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11
-----
Abel acquires the full attention of his foe. With a lurch, the robot stabs its rear leg into the wall behind it, a support claw latches on from the end of the dull coppery leg, and the full mass of the construction heaves up onto the wall. It provokes from Abel as it skitters across the wall diagonally up ward, the wood sometimes bends, but the iron reinforcement holds as the spiderbot pulls itself over the party on the roof.

*Bet-you-didn't-see-that-coming-THUNK*: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 = 10

It fires once more at Abel.
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Round 4

BBSB Went

Lanliss

Seraphina

Abel

Gwynn

Azrael

Strange Golem
======================================================

Azrael watches as the big bad stupid bot -or was it spider bot?- decides to change the battle's paradigm. "Dammit, this reminds me of exorcism's training..."
he mutters before changing his focus towards the brain bot sputtering necromancy nonsense.

Without pause the paladin moves from behind cover and dashes there. He doesn't do so mindlessly, nor he does it without faith in his Lord: Azrael's mind empties for a split second as he reaches the deepest parts of his soul calling for Har-Kul's teachings and preachings.

When he finally reaches the bot mere seconds after he started moving his faith has steeled his will and guided his hand "You will return to the land of the deceased. I command you! I smite you,
heretic!"

Trying to smite evil here. If it works add 3 to hit, damage and AC vs Brainbot. Also bypasses DR. If he isnt evil, at least it was a cool attack monologue.
Power Scythe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 2d4 + 8 ⇒ (3, 1) + 8 = 12

Azrael juts out and hurls himself and blade at his target with zeal. Though it strikes true, his scythe catches on a plate in its chest before it can dig deeper. Whatever power was channeled through the menacing blade
was wasted.

"COMMANDS. THE TINY BEING COMMANDS! IT KNOWS NOTHING OF COMMANDS! COMMANDS, COMMANDS, COMMANDS! HOW DOES IT EXPECT TO COMMAND THE BROKEN?! KNOW THIS TINY BEING: IT FOLLOWS OUR FOOTSTEPS BY ITS COMMANDING."

"This is why you don't grab a brain off the 'really insane' shelf and put it in a giant murder engine," Serephina muttered, opening her eyes...more. She studied the creatures to see if they had any hints of life about them.

Using Deathwatch to see what's what.

Also because I forgot it before.

AoO *THUNK* vs. Azrael: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9

The spiderbot catches sight of Azraels sudden movement from it's position on the ceiling and fires as if it possessed the reflexes for such a thing.

Lanliss aims his rifle at the spiderbot on the roof. He screams an incoherent noise of anger and fear, and a gout of flame erupts from the barrel of his rifle, engulfing the spider. Burning Hands.
dmg: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) = 8
Just saw that shaken doesn't apply to damage. Fixed.

Gwynn flinches only slightly at the loud noises, then turns a few shades of pale as the bot hits the roof. She reloads, and as she does so, she uses every curse word in her arsenal, repeating herself once she's done with that. She raises her pistol up, and fires, the bullet fires off with one more explosive shout of profanity.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

And then takes cover right? She will keep getting shot at otherwise.

*checks if I have more moves left...* Yes please.

Abel.

The bombs the other bot keeps firing, would abel be able to use deflect arrows on them?

Abel tries to continue fighting the Bot nearest him.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Crit confirm part 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Looks like a yes for Abel from what I can tell.

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Lanliss takes aim, and a gout of flame erupts from his rifle to engulf his target.
-----
Seraphina learns the nature of the enemy.
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Abel swings at the spiderbot as it pulls away, but the brass hull deflects any damage it would have taken. However he hits the mark with his follow-up against the golem chained up so as to restrict it's capacity to avoid him. Total Crit Dam: 2d6 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (6, 2) + 2 - 5 = 5
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Gwynn fires true before taking cover. Which target does Gwynn aim for? Your last post said the nearest, but that's changed since then. Also, because that bomb missed last round she instead took: Cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

As it lurches forward, the golem bursts forth from it's shackles with a screech of metal. Shards of the strange golems metal bindings scatter as it rises to its full height through a crack of lightning.
-----
The full-size spiderbot fires at Azrael, seeming comfortable where it is.

Vantage point: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 The higher bonus is because I forgot to give the BBSB the +1 to-hit from higher ground that it should have had the previous round.

Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 = 11

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Round 5

BBSB Went

Lanliss

Seraphina

Abel

Gwynn

Azrael

Strange Golem
======================================================

"ARG!" screams Azrael as yet another projectile pierces his body "Bring down that bot, it's shredding me!"

1 Hp left... Desperate mode: ON. Starting to play badass theme. Beginning to Praise Har-Kul. Totally trusting the RNG now

Sweating and bleeding profusely, straining to remain standing, having more trouble to breath with each passing moment, Azrael turned to the unholy metal and brain abomination once again.
And yet he had an aura of pride and grim determination, his eyes filled with defiance and his hands gripped firmly around the shaft of his scythe.
"You don't understand... You are a lunatic, a mad lump of brain inside an unliving metal body... A danger to my flock, to my children, to my brethren... When I command you it isn't by my power or authority..." the paladin stepped forward slightly lowering his weapon "When I command you, I am carrying Har-Kul's will on this mortal coil. AND HAR-KUL WILLS YOU GONE!" he cries with a final step, raising his scythe and putting all his tired, bleeding and fearless weight behind the blow.

Power Scythe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 2d4 + 8 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 = 13

"I'm not sure it's listening," Seraphina called out, focusing and channeling her mystical powers...and focusing on not healing the machines. If they could be healed.

Channel Positive Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Lanliss's eyes widen. He spits out a string of curses, then searches his mind for options. He quickly enchants the barrel of his gun (Mage Bullet), and he fires at the spider bot. attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Why rngesus?

I could go on a tirade about how the lack of dramatic tension and heroicism inherent to firing from cover is kicking your karma in the shins and screwing your rolls.... But truth be told I think yiu inherited Azrael's RNG curse

Abel prepareS to deflect the next incoming projectile he can while attack.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

i wish i could give you guys my criticals, on me at the moment theyre uselesd

Gwynn peaks out from cover twice, first to get a good idea at where she was going to fire, and second to shoot.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

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The unflinching onslaught of Lanliss' mechanical opponents shakes his confidence. And his aim.
-----
Seraphina washes healing energy over her teammates, excluding the constructs
-----
Abel snaps a kick at the monstrosity in front of him, but it's armor of wood metal and rubber remain difficult to affect.
-----
Gwynn's aim falters this time around as well, firing off into some errant cobweb.
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Azrael continues his challenge against the mad golem in earnest. He tears out a chunk of steel with a hideous scraping sound. Praise Har-kul for pulling his child from deaths door! As a reminder: keep your HP updated. If a PC dies and then we find out "Oh, wait, I should have had five points left" two days later, I'm not counting those HP.
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"A TINY BEING WILL NOT LISTEN. SECONDS AGO IT ARRIVES AND BEGINS SPEAKING OF IT'S GOD. AND I AM ASKING WHAT GOD IS. AND WHAT THAT GOD IS FROM."

The voice of the golem is still speaking. It speaks and yet it takes on a nearly docile tone in comparison to before.

Yet, this does nothing to stem the tide of the golem's wild barrage. Chains add aggressive rattling to the cacophony in the attic. First attack is aimed at Azrael, second at Abel.

Slam: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Slam 2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
-----
The spiderbot on the ceiling turns to Lanliss after his bullet catches it's single-minded devotion standing in stark contrast to it's counterpart.

*THUNK*: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 4 = 12 Soft cover.
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9
-----
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Round 6

BBSB Went

Lanliss

Seraphina

Abel

Gwynn

Azrael

Strange Golem
======================================================
I recommend Abel and Azrael try to flank.

Will keep the HP and death thing in mind. And now that you mention it, I need some clarification: did Seraphina's channel affect Abel and us? I tentatively used it in the update, but if that was wrong Azrael's hp is 1 so prepare for more daring courage and defiance!

Azrael grunts with the weight of the completely lunatic bot's attack, but he doesn't allow such tiny a thing as being pummelled to stop him.
"Attack with me,
Abel! Overwhelm it!" exclaims the paladin as he waits for the right time to attack.

I'll hold my action until Abel moves to flank. I know it's something of a dicknove to make him move instead of me but my Acrobatics to avoid an Attack of Opportunity sits at -5 after the armor penalty and with its damage the bot would knock me unconscious 6 out of 8 times

Sure, include the channel. You or Abel could 5-foot step as well, you two are past the difficult terrain.

Then to speed things up...

Sensing an opening, Azrael shuffles quickly until the abomination is between both the monk and him.

The paladin takes the opportunity and strikeswhen the unholy golem splits its attention between them.

5ft step then standard Power Attack with flank
Power Scythe Flank: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23
Damage: 2d4 + 8 ⇒ (3, 2) + 8 = 13

"Depends on the God," Serephina called out. "If you want to stop with the murdering, we could probably talk about it." Which did not seem likely, so Serephina healed again.

Channel Positive Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

Final round of the Magic Weapon buff.