The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

D. will not empower, as the noise will give away his general direction.

When the team is in place...
Sand bullet: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 Impact: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 8 = 16

Upstairs, gears, glass, and chunks of wax litter the polished wood floor under a sign that proclaims "Scars of the Lich." The corpse of a Kellid warrior lies in a pool of blood, her furs soaked through. A constant ticking and whirring sound echoes in this area.

Sir D again slips upstairs and finds a spot far enough away but still within sight of one of the soldiers, then accelerates a sand bullet, shooting it across the room at the closest mechanical man.

Whirr... Grind... STOMP
As the sand bounces off its head, forming a small crack, the soldier moves its gigantic robolegs, turning to face Sir D.

Knowledge (Arcana) for Monster Lore. For each 5 you beat the DC, you can ask a question from this list. Slide 1 has our map.

____

Automated Defenses (Round 1): Uesugi, Cup, Green (-11), Sir D, Gallix, Sirettis, Mr. Peppers, Red, Longjing

Has Mr. Peppers already used my wand of enlarge on me or will that be this round?

He's already used it as a precombat buff.

knowledge(Arcana): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Well it's a good time to burn the 1, I guess

All Sirettis can guess about these things: They have no mind, probably.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
What was that DC, so I know how many questions to ask?

♫ There's a secret that we know from times of old
The Red Arm stands tall
No matter what enemies unfold
So what if we're facing constructs here?
We'll kick them in their robotic rears
Oh-oh
That's what we'll do, yeah
Oh-oh
It's nothing new, yeah! ♫

Inspire Courage +2 to attack and damage

Uesugi lets Madame Poshkettle's music create an appropriate tempo as he draws his blade and moves up closer to the entryway to the exhibit. There he prepares himself for the first strike.

Reach 10ft
Readied strike '2hand'+p.a+i.c: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 2 + 2 = 30
If hit=True Cornugan Strike (demoralize): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
damage (enlarge)+p.a+i.c: 2d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 5) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 26

AoO if necessary '2hand'+p.a+i.c: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 2 + 2 = 30
If hit=True Cornugan Strike (demoralize): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
damage (enlarge)+p.a+i.c: 2d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 3) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 24

DC 16 on these, Cup! So 2 questions.

Cup recognizes the duo as Clockwork Soldiers.

Uesugi's adamantine blade seems super effective. The construct moves ahead, and Uesugi's blade carves through the construct's metal body twice as if it were butter.

Nice rolls!

Disarm (Latch) vs CMD 24: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24
The clockwork construct extends its metal hand to grab Uesugi's blade, pulling it cleanly out of his hands. Due to its special ability, this does not provoke.

Automated Defenses (Round 1): Uesugi (enlarged, disarmed), Cup, Green (-61), Sir D, Gallix, Sirettis, Mr. Peppers, Red, Longjing

This time, D. empowers his next blast, eating 1 burn.
Which means 5% chance to ignore a crit.

"A nice strike, Uesugi. It looks like it should soon fall."

Sand bullet, inspire: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27 Dmg, inspire: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 6, 4) + 8 = 20

+50% and inspire, 32 dmg.

D's words ring true. He blasts the soldier with enough force to take its mech-head off, and the gears making up its body come to a halt.

Automated Defenses (Round 1): Uesugi (enlarged, disarmed), Cup, Green (whirr..rr...clunk), Sir D, Gallix, Sirettis, Mr. Peppers, Red, Longjing

Sirettis flies 30 feet above the ground and readies her crossbow.

Gallix rushes up past Uesugi, reaching up to shoulder height to the super-sized samurai on the rump as he passes by. "Nice work, Sugi!" he shouts as he runs by. He passes across the entryway into the central part of the exhibit and calls out to the remaining construct, "Come and get some you old rust bucket!"

Sorry guys, quite the busy day. Tomorrow I'll have more time! Also I'm going to assume I used mage armor before entering.

After Mr Peppers makes a really big samurai he stows away the wand and pulls out his own mini blaster wand and looks around.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26 done

Mr. Peppers doesn't notice anything odd or noteworthy up here, just one more clockwork soldier and the nearby corpse.

The robo-soldier turns and heads up out of the room towards Gallix, stopping just in front of him and swinging its polearm at the brawler.
Halbred: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 221d10 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Automated Defenses (Round 2): Uesugi (enlarged, disarmed), Cup, Sir D, Gallix (-18), Sirettis, Mr. Peppers, Red, Longjing

D. steps 5ft forward, and fires off a new one against he clockwork soldier, eating 1 burn.

Empowered, inspire: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 4, 1) + 8 = 14

+50% & inspire for 23 dmg.

"Ow! Okay, gotta admit, that was pretty stupid letting you just come up and whack me. But, hey, at least now you're here!" Gallix practically blurs as he dodges to the side and delivers three rapid attacks against the clockwork soldier.

5ft step; Brawler's Flurry, Combat Expertise, Outslug Style, Inspire Courage all in effect.
AC20 from Combat Expertise and Outslug this turn.

Flurry MCestus, CE, IC: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 - 2 - 2 + 2 = 15 Damage, Outslug, IC: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 13
Flurry MCestus, CE, IC: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 - 2 - 2 + 2 = 15 Damage, Outslug, IC: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 12
CICestus, CE, IC: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 16 Damage, Outslug, IC: 1d6 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 9

"Rawwwwwwwk! Come, mighty steed! Let us slay this metallic miscreant!" Dodging and darting, the mighty dragon launches an attack at the construct's face.

Dragon Attack, Defensively, Inspire, aid another Uesugi: 1d20 + 8 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 4 + 2 = 19

These will provoke an attack of opportunity. If 10 or more, Longjing successfully aids and Uesugi gets +2 Aid Another bonus and +1 Luck bonus.

Cup rushes up to aid Gallix's hit, snapping her whip at the construct! "You can do this, Gallix!"

Whip, Inspire, Aid Another: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17
+4 to hit for Gallix in addition to the inspire bonus

With the amount of violence already inflicted, Sirettis decides not to use her magic.

Fly: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Instead she hovers in place, loads her crossbow and fires once to aid Gallix.

Aid Another, In Melee: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 4 = 20
Another +2 for Gallix

With the amount of violence already inflicted, Sirettis decides not to use her magic.

[dice=Fly]1d20+6

Instead she hovers in place, loads her crossbow and fires once to aid Gallix.

[dice=Aid Another, In Melee]1d20+5-4
Another +2 for Gallix

Can you aid with a ranged weapon?

Watching the clockwork soldier almost knock back barbarian with its heavy polearm Uesugi foregoes retrieving his katana on the ground and instead charges the construct. His legs empowered by the enchantment of the wand he covers the ground quickly and draws his second katana from the sheath on his back.

"Kiiiiya!!!"

The sound of steel against steel sings loudly into the open space of the musuem.

katana (cold iron) '2hand'+p.a+a.a+i.c+charge: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 10 - 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 27
If hit=True Cornugan Strike (demoralize): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
damage (enlarge)+p.a+i.c: 2d6 + 6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2) + 6 + 6 + 2 = 21

Too bad cornugan strike doesn't affect constructs.

Oh, I can't aid another with a ranged attack. Um, I guess I hit AC 19, then.

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

K:Arcana: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 Sugi is going to want that adamantine blade!

Mr Peppers runs over and grabs the disarmed weapon from the grasp of the now dead construct "Come on now, you're dead, let go already!" Its a good thing it shrank down to normal size, this thing must be heavy when its bigger.

Move 30' and pick up katana

Even with Cup's aid, Gallix can't seem to hit! Sir D easily blasts the construct with more sand, while Uesugi charges it with his less effective cold iron katana, sliding the blade into its back. Sirettis just barely misses.

Halbred AoO: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 281d10 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
As Longjing gets in the construct's face, it swings its huge axe, nearly debeaking the poor dragon!

Gears whirr in the construct's body as it turns to face Uesugi, slicing up the samurai's enlarged body.
Halbred: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 251d10 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Halbred: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 311d10 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

Automated Defenses (Round 3): Uesugi (enlarged, -40), Cup, Sir D, Gallix (-18), Sirettis, Mr. Peppers, Red (-34), Longjing (-18)

You guys can still ask three knowledge-related questions, 2 from Cup's check and 1 from Mr. Peppers, if you want.

Oh, I assume I used my question for resistance for knowing he should be using adamantine. But elemental resistances would be nice as well.

Mr Peppers drops his 'lil blaster' and pulls out his healing wand in one hand while holding the katana out for Uesugi to take. As he does he tries to activate the wand to help stunt the blood flow from the Samurai.

UMD CLW + Bonus: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 1 = 191d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Sirettis lands behind Uesugi and heals his wounds with a mere touch.

Healing: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 6 = 14

D. moves to the north wall to do some more blasting, and accepts 1 burn.
As he does, he once again taps into the aether, enhancing his own constitution and dexterity.

Elemental overflow: +2 to dex and con.

Sand bullet, inspire, burn bonus, enhanced stats: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 35 Impact, overflow, inspire: 3d6 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 21

immediate action following the clockwork soldier hitting me. Note Crown of Swords attack is considered a spell so it bypasses any DR.

As soon as the construct strikes Uesugi the impact staggers almost causing him to drop to a knee but instinctively a blade disappears from his helmet only to reappear beside the clockwork and strike at it.

crown of swords 'first strike': 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Uesugi rights himself as he feels an ever so slight touch brush against him binding his wounds almost immediately. Feeling renewed he wills the blade to strike at the clockwork soldier while he slashes with the cold iron katana as almost simultaneously. no effort at all he continues to keep the summoned blade.

In the corner of his he watches Mr. Peppers holding his adamantine blade in one hand
" Move back I cannot grab the blade Mr. Peppers without dropping my guard."

crown of swords 'first strike': 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

crown of swords 'second strike': 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 2 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

katana 1st strike '2hand'+p.a+i.c: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 - 2 + 2 = 12
damage (enlarge)+p.a+i.c: 2d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 23

katana 2nd strike '2hand'+p.a+i.c: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 2 + 2 = 7
damage (enlarge)+p.a+i.c: 2d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 20

Gallix steps over next to his enormous friend and strikes out at the guardian, calling out to him as he does, "Step back, Sugi! I got this! Peppers is right, you need your blade."

5ft step; Brawler's Flurry, Combat Expertise, Outslug Style, Inspire Courage all in effect.
AC20 from Combat Expertise and Outslug this turn.

Flurry MCestus, CE, IC: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 - 2 + 2 = 19 Damage, Outslug, IC: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 12
Flurry MCestus, CE, IC: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 2 - 2 + 2 = 16 Damage, Outslug, IC: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 13
CICestus, CE, IC: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 26 Damage, Outslug, IC: 1d6 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 9
Crit?: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 21 Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 12

Uesugi's ethereal weapon, D's sand blast, and Gallix's third punch are enough to reduce the clockwork soldier to nothing more than a pile of gears and shiny brass metal.

Out of combat/success earned. I'll pause to let you guys heal, then move us to the tiger room.

Would taking an offered weapon provoke? I'd assume its similar to drawing? Good to know for the future at least.

As the machine falls Mr Peppers sticks the blade into the floor, knowing full well the metal won't be harmed "Here we are. Nice work there."

He steps back to pick up his blaster wand and stows both away for the moment as he looks over the destroyed guardians "I bet these cost Nigel, or at least the Blackros Family a pretty penny. Lets get everyone patched up before we continue."

At that he casts detect magic and scans the rooms for anything of interest There has got to be some sweet sweet magic in this place!

Cup pulls out her wand and offers healing to anyone who needs it. "Come here, Longjing!" Then she looks at Pep. "Pep, would you be willing to give mage armor to the mighty dragon?"

Roll your own healing, and tell me how many charges, please! Oh, and don't forget your lucky numbers! It makes me sad if you miss on something you could have rerolled. I will hit you with the wand again if you use the number, so use it!

Taking a weapon from someone I equated with picking up an item. I could be wrong but I didn't want to chance provoking an AoO or worse you provoking. I think this is probably one of those GM has final say rulings.

Uesugi retrieves his blade from Mr. Peppers as he rests up. Looking towards Spirit he nods his gratitude towards her. "Worthy guardians. Whatever the cost I am sure he will be able to purchase more with ease."

"Little Dragon as always you are an inspiration with your show of bravery in combat."

"Thank you, milady gnome. That robotic rascal was fiercer than we anticipated." The dragon rests against Cup, breathing heavily until she heals him.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"The body is part of the exhibit? Or shall we remove it see if the shugenja priest can speak with it?"

Once he finishes his magical scan Mr Peppers uses his ironwood wand on the mini dragon, summoning in his very own chain shirt. "Stay safe Longjing"

"That body is surely -not- part of the exhibit.
She's dead, Uesugi, look at all that blood."

The corpse starts floating in mid air, and while D. is talking, the body turns 360 vertically and horizontally, to show the wounds and any blood still leaking from it.

"How scientific." Sirettis takes the opportunity to scan her body for any clues.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Isa's Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

In the meantime, she will assist Uesugi and Gallix with their wounds, using her own wand.

Uesugi
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Gallix
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"Then we should take this body out to gather whatever information we can and move on to the next area."

The body of the Kellid warrior seems freshly deceased with deep gashes the size of a halbred lining her corpse. There's little else that can be learned from examining it.

Heading back on the road soon! I'll start combat before I leave and then update later on. Sir D, go ahead and roll your attack.

"Then let us head downstairs."

To avoid any bloodstains on anyone's outfit, it hovers ahead of the party, this includes when exiting the building.

I'm not sure this sort of treatment fits in line with the burial customs of the Kellids... but I'm sure not touching the corpse. He thinks with a smirk as he follows along with the group after finding NOT A SINGLE BIT OF MAGIC!

I'm not sure this sort of treatment fits in line with the burial customs of the Kellids...

Without a doubt not. Then again, it's not us who will be doing the burying, just the recovering.

When the group proceeds to the blue tiger, D. takes some convenient position while invisible.

Surprise shot, overflow, burn bonus: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 17 Dmg, overflow, burn: 3d6 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2, 5) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 21

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

What is that blue tiger? Is it sentient? Is it something we should have been shooting?

The blue tiger is a dweomercat, an otherworldly beast with piercing yellow eyes. It seems to be patrolling the Crusader's Chronicles exhibit. Long shadows cast by ruined displays and broken furniture litter the floor. A humanoid-shaped figure made of shattered clockwork lies slumped over a bench.

It may not necessarily attack on sight, so if you'd like to instead attempt to interact with it (passing that Knowledge check is enough to know that it speaks Common), you can. Let me know what you decide - I won't resolve D's shot yet. Map's updated.

Ok, lets have Cup do her sweet talking 1st.

Sirettis will come with Miss Poshkettle and help her talk to it first. And charm it if that fails.

Uesugi follows along looking for this blue tiger. He keeps his katana sheathed – well aware that in the battle he can draw it before anything happens.