To face a God of iron. (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

"We've had numerous encounters with the Technic Laegue in the past," Elrys says, as she carefully studied the consort following that reaction.

Sense motive, to be sure of her stance on the league: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43

If she wants it removed indeed:

"...And none of them were good. In this case, yes, that was us as well. I believe they are a blight on the nation, region and world each. One of the reasons we would like the Sovereign to recover is to remember his roots, and take a stand against them." Elrys explains. Noticing her companion wanting to speak, she turns to her. "Olympia, do you have something to add?"

Raktar stands and watches as Elrys engages Kul-inkit in conversation, trusting her to know what to say and how to say it without his intervention. Keeping his hands loose at his sides - away from his weapons but ready in case everything goes wrong - he studies Kul-inkit's bodyguards.

Kul-Inkit relaxes as your hostility to the Technic league becomes clear.

"What needs to happen is Kevoth-kul must be either cured of his foul addiction or defeated in an honorable combat. For some reason the leagues supply of Numerian fluids has been cut and he is currently becoming paranoid and irrational due to its lack."

Before that happens however. The Leagues Captain Ghartone and his robot guards need to be removed. If he hears the Black Sovereign has been defeated or cured of his addiction then the League will immediately act!"

What are you saying now?

She can get you to meet the Black Sovereign without being stopped by the guards. But he is unlikely to accept being cured peacefully due to his state of withdrawl induced paranoia.

"In that case, to be honest with eachother, Ghartone is already dead, just as his robots are destroyed. We have his body in our posession, so that the League cannot raise him easily." She nods to Raktar leaving whether he'd show the body from the portable hole up to him. "As for the chemical supply... we had a hand in that as well. The resistance to the League is stronger than most know. Should the sovereign shake off the League, he won't stand alone. She gives a slight smile, maintaining her stature. "Now, if there is nothing else, shall we have a talk with the Sovereign?"

Dilana is shocked at how well the conversation is going and very glad she held her tongue. Magic is all well and good but she would never have managed this conversation.

Any prep you want to do or should we go to the big meeting? Of course it might go completely without problem. :)

I mean, I don't know. I suppose we could discuss what to do if Elrys fails to convince the Sovereign, which would mean someone has to beat him in honorable combat. I'm not sure what that means. There might also be a 'Guile' solution of sorts in which someone gives either Elrys or Raktar invisibility, and they cast Heal out of invisbility.

"Actually, I do have one question. If I fail to get through to the Sovereign with words, what does this 'honorable combat' you mention entail? Is that a duel between two? A group battle? What are the rules of what I assume is a local, ritualised fight?"

Kul-inkit smiles faintly as she regards the corpse of Ghartone. "How did your vaunted 'tech' serve you in your ending?" She murmurs. Nodding with satisfaction when you tell her you are responsible for the ending of the supply of Numerian fluids for the addicted.

I will take you to the great hall where Kevoth-kul holds court. He will demand an offering when you approach him. Something of value will do. You must challenge him to combat in front of the audience. He will agree to single combat against your chosen champion. Or to a brawl with all of you. But then he will have his pet Aurumvoraxes fight alongside him."

She sighs a little sadly. "I doubt he will agree to being healed. He has become increasingly irrational and aggressive with the lose of his drug."

Diplomacy or Intimidation to issue a challenge. An offering should be 500gp minimum to be acceptable.

Any other questions?

Is someone willing to go back and check through the loot we found since venturing into the base of the Black Dominion at the end of book 4? I don't think any loot has been added to the loot sheet since then (book 5). That'd help with deciding what to offer the sovereign and knowing what resources we have to work with for the final book.

"I will fight him if he can't be convinced with words," Raktar says, feeling that he would have the best chance of defeating the Sovereign in single combat.

"I will fight him if he can't be convinced with words," Raktar says, feeling that he would have the best chance of defeating the Sovereign in single combat.

Luthor nods. "Fine by me."

I could just offer him 500gp. Luthor has tons of cash. :) Unless it takes some type of item instead of coin.

Once you have rested and are ready to begin Kul-inkit leads you to the stairs and takes you up to the Throne-hall.

Sovereign's Throne Hall
This vast hall rests directly beneath the palace's central dome.
Its curved walls arch upward to a height of eighty feet above the center of the chamber. Great smoking torches sputter on the walls amid hundreds of hanging skulls, furs, weapons, and other trophies harvested from humans, monsters, and robots alike.
Over a dozen wooden feasting tables fill the hall. Looming above it all from an upraised stage is the Sovereign's throne-a vast chair of black-pitted metal surrounded by even more trophies and mounds of tribute

Use the Throne hall map up top for this. The hall is crowded with people. Along with 8 guards, 2 Lieutenants & 2 Gearsman Battleguard robots. There is also the 3 Aurumvoraxes the Sovereign keeps as pets.

Currently you are being watched with curiosity as you approach the Black Sovereign, the guards are watching you but not interfering.

What are you doing?

You know, when you make a big map with lots of opponents there is a real temptation to make sure combat takes place, :)

You know, when you make a big map with lots of opponents there is a real temptation to make sure combat takes place, :)

Seems like a waste otherwise.

Raktar enters the throne room with the others, looking around appraisingly at the Sovereign's guardians and pets, returning their inquisitive stares. He keeps his hands at his sides and his mouth shut as they approach the throne.

Olimpia pads in, moving silently by habit and staying close to Raktar. She is quite aware of the scrutiny she draws from the onlookers and keeps an eye out for threats but carries no weapons.

Dilana looks at the assembled forces, her eyes lingering on the Aurumvoraxe. She is sure that any one of them could probably shred her up and kill her outright if it got the jump on here. She moves to the side a little, just enough that she could use a cone of cold if things go south. She holds her staff but is clearly just using it as a walking stick.

I don't see the throne hall map, could you clarify?

Elrys takes in the grandeur of the hallway in passing, supressing the giddy mechanic beneath the surface who might have gone from technical marvel to curisoity at this veritable banquet - if duty had not imposed itself on her.

She shook her head, reminding herself that despite all of this wealth and power on display, Kevoth-Kul was still just a man and an ill one at that. It was an odd realization that only a few years ago, she'd been introduced to a different monarch as a potential bride. Yet the nerves of the girl back then didn't extent to the woman she was now. There was a certain quiet strength in knowing her devotion to Iomedae and the many trials here had made her grow past her normal station. She was favored by her goddess and she and hers were meant to be here, to truly topple the Technic League once and for all.

"Greetings," She settles for giving the Sovereign a curt nod, not wanting to lower her station for this exchange. "I am Elrys Valrassedin, priestess of Iomedae and envoy of Mendev. Word reached me-" She throws a brief glance to the consort and her following. "-that you required the services of a healer, Sovereign. That is within my ability to grant, should you wish to accept it. Of course, we also offer tribute."

One of the items previously belonging to the slain Doc Hellran, the now missing drug supplier, is placed wherever tribute demanded it be. "Of course, words are hearsay until affirmed. What say you to our offer?"

She waited, wanting to see just how far this supposed drug-withdrawal induced paranoia went, along with wanting to assess his mental state more in-depth.

Sense motive, get a reading on the sovereign's mental state: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24

diplomacy if required, using Moment of Glory on this if it is: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (10) + 25 = 35

Strange? The Throne hall map is now up top.

You mean Doc Hellbroth I think?

As Elrys works her diplomatic magic you can see the scowl on the face of the Black sovereign ease somewhat. "A healer? Why would I need a healer?"

What are you saying now?

"Because you are under the effects of drug withdrawal, sovereign. Have you not experienced it? The missing heart contractions. The headaches. The sweating. The shivering. The restlessness, The nausia. The paranoia to everyone around you. It is in my ability to remove those, as well as your dependency on this drug."

She glances at a look of suspicion. "Though I suspect the Technic League would not approve of this. Without such, they would lose the ability to control you. And risk you finding out just how much they have been truly abusing and exploiting your people outside of these walls."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34

She glances at the approaching lieutenant with a look of suspicion*, assuming he is with the technic league.

Dilana leans on her staff and moves over to the wall hunching over. She look at the room making sure she has good range and angle for spells.

Adjusted position for the map.

Olimpia keys in on the unhappy guard and looks more closely at him, hoping to spot some tell about who he is or what he intends.

Perception: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (13) + 32 = 45

Sorry, I should have said that everyone can make the Sense motive Check DC25 to spot the guard.

The Sovereign looks angry again at Elrys's words, but at the same time you can see him realizing that his emotions are being influenced by his addiction to the Numerian fluids.

He is currently battling between getting angry and attacking you, or accepting your aid.

Diplomacy is broken! The DC to influence him is 22, so you've beat it by 10 twice!

Olimpia can see that the unhappy guard seems to be upset at the idea of the Sovereign being healed. He is presently waitng to see what the Soverign decides before he acts.

What are you doing?

I've moved you all on the map to show where you are while talking to the Black Soverign.

What are you doing as you wait the decision?

I tap that Perception. Wish I could dimension door or the like. I feel helpless back here.

Olimpis whispers a warning about Orange but clearly has to plan.

+26 for Luthor on perception

Noticing the guard's movement, Luthor narrows his eyes and hears Olimpia's warning which confirms what he himself witnessed. Looking back to the others, he whispers, "Be ready," before returning his focus forward again. Luthor readies to draw his gun just as soon as Orange makes the wrong move.

Elrys softens slightly and refocuses on the monarch. "Sovereign. Please! Heed my words. Outside of these walls, your people still respect you. They look up to you for protection and leadership! But at the same time they are being exploited, treated as little more than slaves to the league. All your magnificent technology and the resources of your land are being leached by them! Only to use it to drug you and cloud your mind. Take a stand and reclaim your health and freedom! Rise up against them and protect your land!"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

If we have some confirmation that the league is actively aiding unity, Elrys would mention that here. But OOC I can't remember if we did, it might have happened before I joined the campaign?

Not many people know about Unity. The Sovereign doesn't.

Orange doesn't bring anything out of his pouch. However the Gearsmen robots activate as he bellows "Destroy the enemies!" as his other hand points at Elrys!

The Black Sovereign whirls around in shock. "I gave you no order! What are you doing Tek Makul?"

"The foreign Witch is trying to enthrall you my Sovereign!" Is Tek Makul's frantic response.

Luthor's readied action can go off when this happens. You all have one action in the surprise round as you were prepared for things to go bad. Then we go to initiatives.

Luthor quickly draws his laser pistol and fires!

Quick draw(free); Attack robot that is 25' directly north of Luthor

+2 Laser pistol(damage type(Fire): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20 Ugh.
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

AC 30; Hp's 140/140

Olimpia slips on her ring of invisibility and quietly 5' steps.

Having made herself a target, Elrys quickly casts her most powerful defensive spell, Particulate Form, on the group in the seconds that preceed the engagement. Hopefully, it should prevent lethal blows killing anyone outright!

Brief explanation: everyone has a small amount of regeneration (2) and is immune to bleed, precision damage and critical hits for 14 rounds.

Raktar curses the inevitable collapse of the dialogue before thrusting out his right hand to call his chainsaw out of it's interdimensional storage. The weapon appears to form out of clockwork and cogs as it materialises in his grip and Raktar utters a short prayer as a burst of silver light spreads across the party.

Free Action to use my glove of storing to retrieve my chainsaw, Standard Action to cast blessing of fervor on evreryone.

Luthor misses his shot at Tek-Makul.

Elrys & Luthor can now act.

Luthor fires off multiple shots, hoping to actually hit something this time.

Attack Green; BoF(+2 to Attack/AC/Reflex)

Fire damage
+2 Laser pistol: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 39
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

+2 Laser pistol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

+2 Laser pistol: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

AC 32; Hp's 140/140

"You dare disobey your ruler so callously?" Elrys asks Tek Makul. "Fitting of the League, I suppose."

Not wasting any more breath, Elrys begins firing on the robots as she shuffles backwards, closer to the party for added protection...

5ft step back, swift: activate inspire courage +3, choose extra attack from Raktar's blessing of fervor. Full attack shots against the robots, focus fire with Luthor on his target first. Assuming they are constructs. They should all target flat-footed ac as Elrys acted before them in init.

attack. Buffs: good hope +3, inspire courage +3, untold wonder +1, point blank +1, construct bane +2, rapid shot -2: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (8) + 24 = 32

damage, magic blunt adamantine: 1d6 + 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (5) + (1, 3) + 19 = 28

attack 2 (fervor/haste). Buffs: good hope +3, inspire courage +3, untold wonder +1, point blank +1, construct bane +2, rapid shot -2: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (3) + 24 = 27

damage 2, magic blunt adamantine: 1d6 + 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (2) + (4, 6) + 19 = 31

attack 3 rapid shot. Buffs: good hope +3, inspire courage +3, untold wonder +1, point blank +1, construct bane +2, rapid shot -2: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (2) + 24 = 26

damage 3, magic blunt adamantine: 1d6 + 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (6) + (4, 1) + 19 = 30

attack 4 iterative. Buffs: good hope +3, inspire courage +3, untold wonder +1, point blank +1, construct bane +2, rapid shot -2: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

damage 4, magic blunt adamantine: 1d6 + 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (1) + (4, 2) + 19 = 26

attack 5, Multishot as I am a doofus and forgot. Buffs: good hope +3, inspire courage +3, untold wonder +1, point blank +1, construct bane +2, rapid shot -2: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29

damage 5, magic blunt adamantine: 1d6 + 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (6) + (2, 3) + 19 = 30

@ Luthor are you adding in the buffs that you have? Most of my own damage comes from group-wide buffs that you would also have. You have good hope +3, inspire courage +3 since this post and an extra attack from Blessing of fervor from Raktar. That's at least an extra +6 hit and damage along with another attack (I think?). Also, don't gunslingers have rapid shot as well for another extra attack?

I'll say that Luthor takes that extra attack and hits.

Luthor & Elrys destroy Green in a barrage of laser fire and arrows.

Kevoth-kul laughs when he sees the Gearsman Battleguard destroyed. He then points at Tek-Makul and whistles. His pet Aurumvoraxes immediately lunge at the now panicking man.

Olimpia, Raktar & Dilana may now act!

Bolstered by Elrys' magic Raktar strides forward as he activates his chainsaw, the chain roaring as he brings his weapon down at the nearest gearsman.

Taking +2 to hit/AC/Ref from blessing of fervor, Swift Action to activate my chainsaw, Move Action to move 20ft, Standard Action to attack yellow.

Chainsaw attack: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (11) + 27 = 38
Damage: 3d6 + 26 ⇒ (3, 3, 4) + 26 = 36

Using the Bless of Fervor for +2 to hit and AC, Olimpia springs around and attacks Orange from invisibility. She then springs back 10'. With all the buffs she also chooses to use Combat Expertise for an additional +3 to AC.

+3 adamantine wakizashi: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 21 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 - 3 = 361d8 + 11 + 3 + 3 + 7d6 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 3 + 3 + (2, 6, 1, 5, 5, 6, 2) = 47

Dilana looks around shocked. "I wasn't trying to... neverminded."

The witch points at the one who ordered the attack and speaks a single word. "अंधा"

Casting Power Word Blind

Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Dilana points at Tek-Makul and he is blinded.

rounds: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Raktar & Olimpia both hammer Yellow

Tek-Makul flails blindly at the Aurumvoraxes.

I think I will hand wave him. Blind and being mauled for 4 rounds by those things!

Electricity crackles around Yellow's baton as it hammers Raktar.

stun baton: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
stun baton: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
stun baton Crit?: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

damage + lightning: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (6, 7) + 7 = 20
damage + lightning critical: 4d8 + 14 ⇒ (2, 8, 6, 3) + 14 = 33

Fort save DC33 or you are stunned for 1 minute Raktar!

Elrys & Luthor may now act!

Elrys shifts aside, wincing as she hears the pack of wolf-like beasts tearing apart the supposed League agent. "Raktar! Are you all right!?" She shouts over the noise of battle and the chainsaw when he seems to get hit much harder than expected. Trying to assist, she fires another volley of arrows into the other robot...

swift: gain access to improved critical (longbows) temporarily

attack 1, same buffs, enemy has soft cover -4: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23
damage: 1d6 + 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (5) + (3, 2) + 10 = 20

attack 2, same buffs, enemy has soft cover -4: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (1) + (4, 5) + 10 = 20

attack 3, same buffs, enemy has soft cover -4: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33
damage: 1d6 + 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (4) + (4, 1) + 10 = 19

attack 4, same buffs, enemy has soft cover -4: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30
damage: 1d6 + 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + (5, 5) + 10 = 22

attack 5, same buffs, enemy has soft cover -4: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (6) + (4, 2) + 10 = 22

I guess I'm happy to get rid of all my garbage rolls in a fight where it doesn't seem to matter :')

Raktar & Olimpia both hammer Yellow

Hmm. Olimpia sprang attacked Orange not yellow.

Ok. He dies a bit faster to the Aurumvoraxes then.

Elrys hits with every arrow, making the Gearsman resemble a giant, metal porcupine.

Waiting on Raktar's save & Luthors action.

As the crackling baton comes swinging towards Raktar he quickly activates his armour, plates of adamanatine spreading across his arms, legs, and neck. The blow stings slightly but Raktar pushes on through the pain.

Immediate Action to activate my smart armour, which in conjunction with the +2 AC from blessing of fervor takes my AC to 29. As such the first hit misses and the second hit doesn't confirm. By my reckoning I take 17 damage from the second hit, reduced to 15 by my DR. I also assume that I don't need to make a save as I'm not critted.

You are correct.

Botting Luthor

Laser pistol: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22
Laser pistol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
Laser pistol: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Ouch! First shot is a fumble. So nothing from Luthor this round.

Kevoth-Kul just enjoys watching his pets dismember his traitorous Lieutenant.

[b]Olimpia, Raktar & Dilana can act. Robot is looking battered[/ooc].

Dilana simply holds her position waiting to see if another threat appears, she does not want to waste a spell and her innate powers don't do much to robots/

Olimpia will spring attack to flank with Raktar and attack the robot before springing back to defend Elyrs.

+3 adamantine wakizashi: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 21 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 511d8 + 11 + 3 + 3 + 7d6 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 3 + 3 + (4, 6, 5, 2, 5, 2, 1) = 47

Robot Slayer (Ex) When dealing sneak attack to robots, ignore hardness. Also 2 points of Strength drain if it is not immune, and -1 to attaks (more vs Olimpia)

Confirm? If Olimpia can crit a robot?: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 21 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 491d8 + 11 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 3 + 3 = 23

Olimpia finishes off the Gearsman while Dilana wisely saves her magic.

The Aurumvoraxes finish off the treacherous Tek-Makul

Loot:

Chainmail +2,
Greataxe +2 (Shock),
Amulet of Natural armor +3,
Belt of Physical Perfection + 2,
Gravity Clip

Rocket launchers (2) (5 charges each),
Stun batons (2)
Soft grenades (6) (5d6 sonic damage Non lethal)

A shame the Gearsmen didn't get to go first. I was going to have mass casualties as they both launched rockets at you. :)

You can now heal Kevoth-Kul of his addiction. The loot is yours without any problems.

The lure of technological loot is oh-so-strong and the call of rocket
launchers and grenades even more so, and for a moment Elrys wonders if
she can suppress her inner tech geek well enough faced with the
Sovereign of another nation. But she manages to steel herself and uphold
her image as a worthy, stoic representative of her Goddess.

She shoulders her bow and folds her hands as she looks at the remains of
the rapidly-wrecked robots and then the corpse of the former guard
lieutenant. "An... amusing distraction. Now, shall we proceed to
restoring your health, Sovereign? I will need to touch you to cast the
spell. I hereby swear on the honor and strength of both myself and the
Lady Inheritor that it will be a purely restorative one - there will be
no tricks. Should there be a court magician present here, they can
verify the motions of Heal are they're invoked."

If no one stops her, she approaches the sovereign and begins
casting the Heal spell on him.

"...For our strength is never truly lost while the vigor in our
hearts endures. Be as you once were, whole and pure," she finishes,
and casts it!

Raktar powers down his chainsaw as the traitorous bodyguard and the robots all fall still, the floor of the chamber now spattered with oil and blood. He moves alongside Elrys, ready to protect her in the event of another betrayal. He looks carefully at the Sovereign as Elrys begins her magic, watching for any sign that he might attack while she tries to help him.