Korvan steps forward to strike at the red-hued ghost again.
Not thinking these little robits are going to be much of a challenge Dialan stays to the back and keeps her eyes peeled for the ghost. That is a far bigger threat.
Korvan crushes Red.
Raktar hammers Yellow hard.
The many small rooms have been stripped of most of their valuables, the three thieves who feel prey to the traps on this floor and became Gear ghosts have a small pile of the loot they died to gather though.
Loot:
1400gp in small valuables.
Locked doors at F10 & F11. What are you doing now?
"Should probably sort out those trapped doors first," Raktar suggests as the last of the gearghosts collapses into a pile of bones and gears. He waits nearby as the locked and trapped doors are addressed by those with the skills to do so, ready to protect them.
Right. Figgy, can you help?
Olimpia asks for guidance as he prepared her tools and begins to work,
"Great work smashing those robits."
Dilana stays to the back and smiles awkwardly. Between the small space and the skill of her companions she is not finding herself to be most useful today.
Figgy smiles at Olimpia, "We got this, once this area is clear we can check it out. Keep an eye out for that ghost though." Figgy says with a shudder.
F10. Supply Closet
This room is filled with crates and boxes, the walls covered with shelving holding linens, cleaning supplies, and other mundane tools. A strange cocoonlike object made of tightly wound strips of wire and metal ribbons is affixed to the highest shelf on the curving northern wall.
A character who examines the cocoon and succeeds at a DC 35 Knowledge (engineering) check, as if identifying a technological item, realizes what the thing is: a protective shell built by a small cloud of nanites. This check also reveals that such nanites often have specific purposes; they spin cocoons like this to preserve their programming until brought within close proximity to the object or location they've been programed to augment.
In other words, this check should inform the PCs that the best course ofaction with their new find is to keep it safe until it activates on its own, although the check isn't able to reveal what the nanites are waiting to activate, or whether it might be dangerous.
F11. Second-Floor Landing
F12 . Washroom
This room contains a large metal tub, a sink, and a toilet, all
separated from each other by crumbling wooden partitions
What are you doing now?
Raktar looks cautiously at the large metallic cocoon before stepping slowly away from the dangerous looking object. "Anyone know what that is?" he asks.
"Are we ready to go upstairs?" he checks.
"That is a nanite cocoon." Figgy says excite in his voice, Figgy is almost jumping up and down. "We need to take it, they spin like that till they are close to whatever it is they are supposed to augment." After more jumping and excitement, Figgy settles.... just a little.
"It is safe, it won't harm us."
'In door plumbing it will be big." Figgy says with a smile "Next floor I guess."
Eying the cocoon wearily Olimpia leads the way up the stairs and to the next floor, moving stealthfully and searching for traps.
F14. Third-Floor Stairwell
Moving carefully up the stairs you find no traps, but Olimpia does spot another Nanite cocoon on the ceiling at the top of the stairs.
F13. Third-Floor Atrium
Flights of stairs ascend and descend to this large atrium. The ceiling
above the landing is open to the floor above, while doors on the
south and east walls of the atrium allow access to other parts of this floor. Short messages have been written above three of the doors. The air in this room smells strangely acrid.
What are you doing now?
"These all seem very experimental," Raktar muses as he tries to shut his mind off from the chemical tang in the air. "Shall we start here?" he suggests, pointing at the door labelled 'Alchemy'.
Another Nanite cocoon Figgy. I have a bad feeling about these things... Olimpis says as she recovers it and hands it to the gnome.
Right. she responds to Raktar and advances.
Kovan nods. "Yeah, the alchemy lab would be the safest bet, especially with Figgy being here."
"We don't know that, one never knows why they will open, lets just hope that it doesn't open up to harm us." Figgy says putting the two cocoons together.
"Lets try the Alchemy lab first, that is my specialty, the Gaseous Ooze room might be bad, like one of those oozes that haunt tombs and ruins." Figgy says moving to the door.
Dilana positions herself back a bit as Figgy checks the door.
The door is not locked, or trapped.
F15. Lab 1: Alchemy
This large, tidy laboratory has a foul, chemical odor. Several tables,
a few shelves stacked with jars and baskets, and an empty desk line the walls.
This laboratory, initially set up to serve as a combination alchemy and pharmaceutical lab, has not been used in over a decade, but as it was thoroughly cleaned and sealed after use, it does not appear abandoned. The baskets contain an array of towels, medical instruments, and common chemicals.
One of the chemicals has degraded, creating the foul but harmless odor in the air.
Treasure:
Enough gear can be salvaged from the tools found in this room to create an alchemist's lab worth 200 gp.
In addition, a few of the shelves still contain viable pharmaceuticals and potions, including three potions of Gaseous form, 1 dose of cardioamp, 1 dose of cureall, 3 doses of grade III hemochem, and 4 doses of torpinal.
While the lab is being opened you all hear a strange noise and look around to see a grotesque creature attempting to squeeze silently down the stairs from above.
Achaierai
This bird-like beast is mostly head, lunging forward on four scaly
legs. Wisps of noxious black vapor trail from its hooked beak.
Achaierai
LE Large outsider (evil, extraplanar, lawful)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +12
Defense
AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 18 (+1 Dex, +1 dodge, +9 natural,
–1 size)
hp 52 (7d10+14)
Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +4
SR 20
Offense
Speed 50 ft.
Melee bite +10 (2d6+4), 2 claws +10 (1d6+4)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. with claw
Special Attacks black cloud
Base Atk +7; CMB +12; CMD 24 (28 vs. trip)
Feats Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack
Skills Acrobatics +11 (+19 jump), Climb +14, Fly +0, Perception +12,
Sense Motive +12, Stealth +7, Swim +14
Language Infernal
Ecology
Environment any land (Hell)
Organization solitary or flock (5–8)
Treasure standard
Black Cloud (Su) An achaierai can exhale a cloud of choking, toxic smoke three times per day.
All creatures within 10 feet of the achaierai immediately take 2d6 points of damage as their flesh melts and rots away.
The cloud erodes sanity as well as flesh, and anyone who takes damage from the black cloud must also make a DC 15 Fortitude save or become confused.
Every round, the victim may attempt another DC 15 Fortitude save to recover from the confusion; otherwise it persists, lasting indefinitely until the condition is removed or the victim eventually makes her saving throw.
The confusion element of a black cloud is a mind-affecting effect. The save DC is Constitution-based. This is a poison effect.
Achaierais are immune to this ability.
What are you doing now?
Raktar steps back from the door to allow Figgy, and any other more interested parties, into the lab space - with little knowledge of or interest in alchemy he makes sure he doesn't obstruct anyone who would benefit more than himself. As he steps back into the corridor he sees a horrifying creature trying to sneak up on them from above.
"Bird demon!" he calls in alarm. "It's got toxic fog, stay away if you can!" he warns, having read about these foul creatures during his time under the education of the priests of Bligh back in Torch. Raktar steps forward before releasing a burst of magic from his scars, the silver light seeping into and strengthening his friends.
HP 73/73, 19 non-lethal
AC 26, touch 14, flat-footed 25 (+10 armour, +1 Dex, +2 natural armour, +3 shield of faith)
Speed: 40 ft
Fort: +8 (+4 vs disease), Ref: +6, Will: +9 (+1 vs fear) (+1 to all prayer)
Conditions: bull's strength, lead blades, shield of faith, bless, expanded armour, prayer
Melee attack (+2 chainsaw): +13/+8 (+6/+1 BAB, +4 Str, +2 enhancement, +1 bull's strength, +1 bless, -2 Power Attack, +1 prayer)
Melee Damage (+1 earthbreaker): 4d6+16 (+6 Str, +2 enhancement, +1 bull's strength, +6 Power Attack, +1 prayer)
Olimpia recalls similar details of the creature. It spring attacks like I do! she warns as she raises her musket and fires. She then moves and recommends [b]Spread out so its black breath cannot catch all of us.
"Keep away from it, got it." Korvan says pulling his rifle off of his back and taking up a position to fire.
(prayer)
(prayer)
Figgy moves around the lab looking at all the items there "I could use this to make some items maybe given sometime. This is Cardioamp, will help those who are almost dead stay alive.. maybe, and those are are alive it could possibility kill. Cureall here helps with poisons or diseases. Hemochem which we have already used helps heal you quickly over a short time. Torpinol helps to make people more helpful during a talking" Figgy says pointing at all the vials.
Figgy hearing the commotion pus the items away so they don't get damaged, "Try to keep it out of here." Figgy shouts.
Olimpia & Korvan both put musket balls into the Red, which shrieks in pain.
The Achaierai struggles to the bottom of the stairs and exhales a black, toxic cloud.
Raktar, Korvan & Dilana take.
You behave normally for this round.
With a horrible screech a second of these things leaps off the landing above you and hits the floor hard.
The party may now act.
Raktar coughs and splutters as the black smoke from the achaierai invades his lungs, the taste of blood filling his mouth. He turns to attack the demon but his attention is drawn to the sight of another of the creatures leaping from above. It lands heavily on the stone floor and Raktar seizes the opportunity to attack while it lies vulnerable at his feet.
HP 68/73, 19 non-lethal
AC 26, touch 14, flat-footed 25 (+10 armour, +1 Dex, +2 natural armour, +3 shield of faith)
Speed: 40 ft
Fort: +8 (+4 vs disease), Ref: +6, Will: +9 (+1 vs fear) (+1 to all prayer)
Conditions: bull's strength, lead blades, shield of faith, bless, expanded armour, prayer
Melee attack (+2 chainsaw): +13/+8 (+6/+1 BAB, +4 Str, +2 enhancement, +1 bull's strength, +1 bless, -2 Power Attack, +1 prayer)
Melee Damage (+1 earthbreaker): 4d6+16 (+6 Str, +2 enhancement, +1 bull's strength, +6 Power Attack, +1 prayer)
Yellow landing poorly is immediately met with the roar of Raktars chainsaw and expires in a spray of blood and feathers.
Olimpia drops her musket lightly and spring attacks Red, pulling her wakizashi as she does. Her enchanted cold iron weapon cuts deeply into the enemy finding a critical spot.
Before she is hit with the black cloud Dilana has time to talk quietly, clearly intrested in this creature.
"Achaierai! Fascinating. I hope Figgy gets a good look at these."
Knowing she is lucky to be in control of herself Dilana backs down the stairs a bit as it looks like these beasts are going to be dealt with in short order.
Figgy still inside the lab moves out the door to see what is going on.
"What are those things?" Figgy asks
Korvan grimaces as the corrosive gas washes over his body. Dropping his rifle and drawing his blade as he steps forward, he hacks at the remaining creature.
(prayer)
(prayer)
Olimpia & Korvan quickly end the remaining Achaierai.
The source of the lingering, acrid smell in this area is now identified, it comes from the breath of these creatures.
What are you doing now?
Raktar carefully flicks the demon blood off his chainsaw, leaving it running in case of further surprise attacks. "I feel like we want to leave the gaseous oozes 'til last," he suggests, uncomfortable with the whole idea of a gaseous ooze.
Or skip it all together if we can. Olimpia agrees. It would be bad though if that wizard ghost were to show up and free it so we had to deal with both at the same time...
"I agree till last, I also agree with Olimpia that if we don't deal with it we could be caught between two very terrible things." Figgy shudders slightly.
"If we deal with it now it is done. Leaving it behind us does not seem wise. We can probably deal with it either way but we will have to watch out back."
Again the door to this lab are not locked or trapped, however they are airtight, and the inner door only has a a handle on the outside.
F16. Lab 2: Fluid Siphoning Research
The wooden and metal furnishings of this room have been smashed
to pieces. The fragmentary remnants have been arranged into spiky piles throughout the room, while the bones of a long-dead dwarf lie in a mangled heap at the far side of the room.
What look like a swirl of bloody mist reacts to the door opening, lunging at you.
A miasmal form roils as barbed tentacles emerge from the central mass, coalescing into razor-sharp talons and claws.
Mihstu
NE Medium outsider (air, elemental, extraplanar)
Init +10; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +13
DEFENSE AC 22, touch 17, flat-footed 15 (+6 Dex, +1 dodge, +5 natural)
Fort +12, Ref +12, Will +4
Defensive Abilities wind defense; DR 10/magic; Immune electricity, elemental traits; SR 19
Weaknesses susceptible to cold
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., fly 20 ft. (good)
Melee 4 tentacles +14 (1d4+1 plus grab)
Special Attacks deadly embrace
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 23, Con 23, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 13
Base Atk +8; CMB +9 (+13 grapple); CMD 26 (can’t be tripped)
Feats Dodge, Improved Initiative, Mobility, Weapon Finesse
Skills Acrobatics +17, Bluff +12, Escape Artist +17, Fly +21, Knowledge (planes) +13, Perception +13, Sense Motive +13, Stealth +17
Languages Auran
SQ gaseous
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Gaseous (Ex)
A mihstu can pass through small holes, even cracks, without reducing its speed.
Deadly Embrace (Ex)
A mihstu that pins an opponent completely surrounds that creature and deals 1d2 Constitution damage every round as it siphons away blood, tears, and other vital fluids. Maintaining a pin is a free action for a mihstu and it does not gain the grappled condition (allowing it to attack other creatures with its tentacles).
Susceptible to Cold (Ex)
Magical cold stuns a mihstu rather than damaging it. If the creature fails its save against a magical cold effect, it is stunned for 1 round and then staggered for an additional 1d4 rounds.
Wind Defense (Ex)
The churning winds of a mihstu’s body automatically deflect nonmagical projectiles (such as arrows, bolts, and sling stones). All other ranged weapons (including magical projectiles and thrown weapons) have a 20% miss chance. Weapons of significant size, such as giant-thrown boulders, siege engine projectiles, and other massive ranged weapons are not affected by this ability.
It lashes out at Olimpia with a razor tipped tendril.
But misses.
Only Figgy and Olimpia can act this round. They are the only ones to see it, and are in the airlock.
Figgy recoils as the tendril lashes out at Olimpia, "What is that thing?" Figgy asks out loud as he backs out of the air lock.
Its that gaseous oozes! Olimpia says as the thing attacks her. She starts her spring attack routine, stepping right then back left to attack and then moving back into the other room, out of the way.
Dilana lets out a little "Ohhh" before launching a wave of fire at the ooze and stepping back.
DC17 for half
"Let it into this room with us. It will be easier to hit with magic and I would guess your chainsaw will not do much."
Figgy quickly backs out of the enclosed area.
Olimpia slashes at it, cutting deeply into it before darting away to more open space.
The thing drifts out in search of it's prey. Taking a swipe at?
Dilana grimices as her spell fails to find purchase. "Well its resistant to magic, we know that much at least."
Will my bomsb hurt it?" Figgy shouts
"What's with all the damned gaseous stuff in this place!" Kovan complains as he hacks away with his enchanted blade.
Olimpia spring attacks again on her turn.
"I feel I should know but dont, Figgy. Try it!"
Figgy adds a small bit of dust to one of his bombs, throwing it at the vapor thing.