Those Who Walk in Blood (Inactive)

Game Master Stalwart

Kage finds himself nodding when Eris makes her play, but her sudden erratic behavior raises his hackles, 'What has befallen here? Has he seen me?' He lets out a slow breath, 'No I think not. Mages rely overmuch on magic. Even the sight of a diviner is limited by their frame of reference. I shall remain close but remain in the shadows. If negotiations fail, I shall trust in holy Achaekek and deliver death from above to Gyr.'

Eris's confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 11
Eris's confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 98

Unarmed attack: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Eris is able to compose herself for a moment, and it appears that Yanmei's soothing voice is helping matters. But then a last bout of confusion causes her to lash out clumsily at the geisha, missing her wildly.

Tammerhawk watches the proceedings with a stunned expression. "What are you on about?!? he asks incredulously. "Tell me quickly before I have Gyr melt you all down where you stand!"

Has my confusion fully passed yet?

Yes, it's passed.

Eris meets Tammerhawks gaze. "I can read minds, although sometimes it takes a rather harsher toll on me than expected. I'd advise you to stand down, and desist from threatening me while I confer with my colleagues for a moment...it would be a terrible shame if someone actually found the information you so dearly seek, and you killed them before you learnt exactly what it was now wouldn't it?"

Tammerhawk catches the implications quickly and composes himself. He clasps his hands behind his back, studying Eris. "Indeed. Take your time."

At the shock of Jon-Wyn's sudden betrayal, Gafar can feel his body beginning to dump adrenaline into his blood, threatening to dull his wits. He begins a simple breathing exercise, intent on calming himself so as not to act impulsively. There would be time later to berate Jon-Wyn for his reckless tactics, for now it would be best not to intervene.

At Tammerhawk's invitation, Gafar admires the flesh golem from his position. He focuses his eyes on the alchemical prison sustaining their target, taking the opportunity to evaluate the golem's health. Use Deathwatch on Gyr.

The additional surprise that Gyr took the contract out on himself hardly phases Gafar now. He allows the others talk, dragging out the game while he concocts a plan. Indeed, he's very interested to hear what Eris has to say. And, if nothing else, Sa'Kage was still hidden from sight; an ace-in-the-hole if there ever was one.

Kage follows the short debate between Tamerhawk and Eris intently. A feral grin creeps across Kage's face when Eris revealed she had read the tattered remnants of Gyr's mind. 'I knew she could do it! But there must be a complication and there's nothing I can do without revealing myself.'. It was frustrating, yet Kage had been taught to deal with this. 'Patience, ever patience, like the praying mantis... Still while all eyes are elsewhere I can move into striking position.'

Of course that was easier said than done. Diviners were tricksy, the mere presence of a weapon close to his body may be enough to trip his wards. They where also rumored to have the sight, it would be impossible to strike Tamerhawk unawares. 'Still Tamerhawk isn't the target, Gyr is. With a little luck that makes all the difference...' mused Kage with a rueful grin. His life was likely numbered in minutes, but he would make the most of every moment.

Silently he untied the rope and coiled it over his back. Inching forwards, he carefully swept aside a pile of dust before creeping close to Gyr, putting the automation's bulk between him and Tamerhawk.
Kage moves to were Yamara is on the map. Going to take a liberty with the ring, hope that's OK.

Perhaps lady luck was feeling generous for there was a metal ring set in the wall just below the observatory's' ledge. With everyone distracted, it was a simple matter to tie the knotted rope and and slowly, oh so slowly climb down. Up close the powerful bulk of Gyr's alchemical body was unnerving, full of pipes and gears and mysterious liquids. The smell of course was powerful beyond description, the very incarnation of astringent. It was all kage could do not to gag.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28+2 vs Tamerhawk and Gyr
Climb: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Kage climbs down ending up the square below Yamyra - not sure if she's still there tbh.

Oo The dice seem to be liking me! Will be snake eyes next I know it!

Eris motions her companions a little closer, and steps quietly out of earshot, although keeping him in visual range in case he attempts some obvious form of spellcasting.

"I have narrowed down the location of the Key. Obviously however, we are left in an awkward situation. I could tell Tammerhawk, but it is difficult to know if he could then double cross us once he has the information. Alternatively, we could merely double cross him, and keep the Key for our own personal use, or to garner better favour with a different faction to leverage something else to our gain. Even if we do neither option and decide to trust Tammerhawk, are we risking breaking the terms of our clients contract. Obviously, he took the contract out on himself to hide this information from Tammerhawk, hoping that we could kill him before the information is revealed. Therefore, if we tell Tammerhawk the location and then kill Gyr, is that not breaking the spirit of our contract?

Ah, the moral dilemma's for a team of assassins!

"Taking on Tammerhawk would be quite dangerous. Further, I trust him less than the golem standing over us. We need to hold the proverbial dragon's eye before we can act contrary to his wishes, unless you believe we can take him and his powerful allies on all at once." Yanmei suggested, glancing about the room, "Problem is...A man like him knows the insidiousness and treachery of others. He expects it..."

"I will not bargain in bad faith. It would besmirch the reputation of our order. We must hold ourselves to a certain standard, no matter his intentions. I don't mean that we should not be concerned of a double cross, only that it is our way to deal fairly with all who contract our services."

"If we are concerned for the spirit of the contract, as you say, we must ensure the golem is destroyed entirely, leaving no means of obtaining such information." Gafar shakes his head wearily. "We are in no position to do that here."

Just so we can move on and I can get a post together, do we have an agreement as to how to approach this, or are we still all stuck sorting through the various options?

I think we're good with betraying Tammerhawk but at a better opportunity?

Kage isn't with you in the room, but he'd expect us to stick to the letter of the contract. Of course doing so without being turned into frogs or worse might be tricky...

I agree with Yanmei. We've blown whatever opportunity there was here, but we can lead him on a goose-chase with the key. At this point, there's not much we can do to surprise him. He's paranoid enough to expect a double-cross. If we even have an opportunity to attack the golem later, it will certainly be heavily-guarded. It seems the only option is a straightforward one: we do it the hard way.

I am against betraying him, but will go along with the consensus.

So do you have an answer for Tammerhawk?

Eris finishes conferring with her colleges and steps forward slightly, taking charge of the conversation.

"It appears we are all in agreement then. My friends and I agree that giving you this information does not violate the spirit of our contract...with this Golem. Despite this, we would consider it a rather significant risk to simply tell you this information freely and then merely...cross our fingers that you let us eliminate your golem as per our contract, and let us walk out of here unharmed?"

Eris folds her arms firmly, while trying to project an aura of helpfulness. "Perhaps we could conduct an exchange somewhere that doesn't involve large scale defences set against us? You have little to fear from us, you know that there is no contract against you, and your confidence shown here indicates you believe your power far outweighs our own. In my opinion, I don't see significant problems for us to conduct this exchange in a more neutral setting?"

Tammerhawk takes a couple paces as he studies Eris's face with hard, severe eyes. "If you truly have managed to sift through Gyr's mind and found his secrets, I commend you."

He stops and coldly stares at the assassins arrayed against him. "I deny your request. I've been strung along by a former comrade for years; I will not exchange one betrayer for another. Believe me when I tell you that I covet that knowledge in his head above all else. Give it to me, and I will let you claim what's left of Gyr."

Yanmei felt she should have expected this but it was still defeating. Her mind worked furiously to find an exit strategy, moving the chess pieces in her mind to find a win situation. A thought occurred to her though it would be risky...If what was left of Gyr was subject to mind reading...maybe it would be susceptible to enchantments. She feigned looking nervous and drifted off from the group, moving a bit closer to the golem. She began to sing a soft song as she gazed up at the dome of the room, projecting her voice up, not out. The woman weaved subtle magic into her voice, masking the spell in a simple tune.

Using spellsong to mask the casting of Charm Person (if it'll work) on Gyr. Perception/Sense Motive vs. My performance check to notice the spell.

Perform: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 *sigh* Paizo dice are rigged

Tammerhawk sees through the singing for what it is. "Drop the ruse. You are testing my patience! I offer a simple exchange! Whatever insight you have managed to gain from Gyr for your chance to complete your contract!"

"That exchange doesn't include a clause such as my friends and I leaving here unharmed and free to continue on our travels after fulfilling our contract now does it?" Eris asks carefully. Tammerhawk might sound exceptionally intimidating, but Eris believes that that information above all else might allow her and her friends the ability to leave safely.

'KillItNow KillItNow KillItNow...' Kage's blood was singing through his veins! He felt wound up like a tightly coiled spring, ready to snap.

The negotiations with Tamerhawk were excruciating, and Kage found he was sweating freely. Of course it could all go wrong in the bat of an eyelid. Realizing there may only be one shot at this, Kage carefully removed his new adamantine weapons from their oiled scabbards and tesned preparing to strike.

Tammerhawk smiles a predatory smile. "The unique nature of this golem has made it somewhat... autonomous. If you cannot destroy it on your own, then that's none of my business. That being said, provide me with what I seek and I see no need to linger here while you do your work. You will be free to go."

Someone roll SM, because I'm terrible with that.

"Thank you for your time, Master Tammerhawk. We will see you again after acquiring the item." Jon was pleased at how the scenario was turning out.

Err, you might want to recant that statement. Tammerhawk is after the information that leads to the item, and certainly doesn't want us to leave his presence without acquiring that information. Fairly certain saying "Don't mind us, we will get that item ourselves" is REALLY going to piss him off. Then again, if thats where your going with this, by all means, carry on.

Unless I'm misunderstanding something, to get what we want, we have to come to him. He told us he didn't want to be strung along again. So we get the key ourselves and present it to him.

Believe me when I tell you that I covet that knowledge in his head above all else. Give it to me, and I will let you claim what's left of Gyr."

I dont think its THAT hard to interpret that line. He wants the knowledge in my head and thats it, so he can take the key for himself. He sure as hell doesn't trust us to get the key and then not run away with it.

So I think Eris is both right and wrong. Tamerhawk wants the key and he probably does expects her to spill the beans, but he mostly wants the key. He doesn't have to trust us, he is a diviner and this is his city. I'm assuming he's a good deal higher level than us, and we don't exactly have access to non-detection and the like. If we double cross, he can easily direct his agents to hunt us down. Or at least that's what he likely thinks. So I suspect he may allow it.

Tammerhawk shakes his head and begins to look agitated. "No, I want what the mind reader learned. If you delved deep enough into Gyr to take on some of his insanity, then perhaps you did indeed learn something I have been unable to divine. I would dearly love to see him to continue this existence, but I also do not wish to invite the wrath of the Red Mantis. I believe you when you say more will come. And the next group may not be so interested in bargaining."

Apologies, I have been stocktaking.

"Fine, the key is within a statue, here in Riddleport," Eris answers Tammerhawk shortly. "His mind also contained vivid opinions as to what he thinks of you, but lets not go there shall we? I have fulfilled my part of the bargain, now fulfill yours"

Yanmei watched the exchange carefully, trying to get a read on Tammerhawk and his intentions after the location was revealed. Would he accept the answer or would he call a bluff? Would he keep his word? Her emerald eyes scanned his body language and facial features, looking for a tell.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

Yanmei, he seems to be telling the truth, although he's rather cruel about it, as his next actions show.

Tammerhawk studies Eris closely, then slowly nods in agreement. "Agreed. Fulfill your contract." He says a word and instantly he is across the room behind the other Cyphermages in attendance, who had remained silent during the exchange. "If you can." He finishes softly as he takes a seat.

Jon-Wyn goes first. Since the golem goes next, I'll take it's turn now just to get it out of the way.
1d100 ⇒ 86
With whatever control Tammerhawk had over it released, the golem
whirls and spins wildly in a search for its nearest enemy. Yamyra had stepped out from hiding in order to strike, and it targets her.
Ranged touch: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27 1d4 ⇒ 4
It launches a bomb that engulfs her in a fireball. fire: 8d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 6, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4) = 30 The halfling collapses, smoking.

Yes please! Did that attack resolve as a readied action? If not can I convert it to a full attack?

Jon-Wyn reaches in his pack and pulls out his kukri while maneuvering to get a better position from which to attack. "This is disappointing."

Eris immediately casts Glitterdust on the construct, forcing it to make a will save to avoid the effects.

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

As the glittering particles coat the construct's dome, it begins to thrash about blindly.

Kage, yes you can convert to a full attack.

Since Kage is now using both weapons, he attacks twice with +10

Hitting the golem hard with his mainhand adamantine sword felt like smashing it into a solid wall! The shock jolted every sinew and his offhand careened harmlessly off Gyr's tough exterior.
Offhand attack, Studied Target, Power attack, Sneak: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + (1) = 11

Kage's first strike manages to crack the containment housing, causing a fissure to open up and blast 1d4 ⇒ 4 a jet of hot steam back at him.

Kage takes 1 point of fire damage

Waited too long for Gafar. I'll DMPC him right now.

Gafar reaches into his shirt and withdraws a flask. He takes a swig while he stays alert. Drinks extract of shield.

Jon-Wyn, you're up!

Sorry, I think I'm still figuring out how we're doing combat. I was waiting for Yanmei, but Eris and Kage went? Do we post our action anytime in the round and worry about figuring out order of actions between rounds? Drinking the extract of shield is fine.

Derp, you're right! Yanmei was also supposed to go! We'll say she begins her bardic music: inspire courage +2

I don't think we usually post in strict initiative order but DM stalwart resolves it in order. Most of the time that works out OK.

Yeah, going by strict initiative order usually slows things down needlessly. It's best to have everyone post when they can, and if there's an issue with the order I can make corrections if necessary.

Still waiting on Jon-Wyn!

Sorry. I missed the post where I got to go again.
Jon continues to jump and move to stay behind the ungainly crazed golem. He only gets one strike out of the adamantine coating his weapons and he wants to be sure its a good one.
The idea is to get into position to make a full attack with flanking. Ideally, he is in position now and can give someone else flanking too. Your call DM.

Yes, you had the jump on it so you could position yourself. Plus, it's blinded, so you don't risk an AoO. It makes sense that you are flanking with Kage.

Sorry. the past couple weeks have been busy so I haven't had time to log on. I'm here though.

Yanmei's voice rises in a song of violence and rage as she steps away from the range of the golem behind the group. With a flick of her wrist, the thong holding the dart hiding up her sleeve shoots forward and slides the weapon into her hand. She didn't expect it to help much but maybe it would be handy in a pinch.

Gyr: 1d100 ⇒ 62

Blinded, the construct thrashes about wildly. It slams one of its limbs into the glass dome and a cracking sound is heard.
Damage to self: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Its vision appears to clear.

Everyone is up!