EM - [PFS] Feeling Hot Hot Hot (Inactive)

Game Master Evil Minion

What is this monolith? Brady pulls up short when the two charau-ka launch themselves at him; he ducks under the first but gets feinted right into the other's strike.

He briefly falls to his knee, off-balance and pushing away the pain before lunging up from the ground with a hard strike at both of the ape-ish creatures!

Dale hurries up behind Brady drawing out his spoon as he goes "This is going to be a long one, I'll do my best to keep everyone's blood flow to a minimum!"

He reaches out and taps him on the leg, saying everyone's favorite phrase as he does so:

"MMM SOUP!" Giggle! Spoon o CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Dru moves and strikes, using all her might and them some

Morningstar with PA on blue monkey: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 1 = 25
Dmg+PA: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

This place is really going bananas...

The monolith moves forward. It is called by its ancient enemy, and it goes.

Just to be clear, these are not demons... just demon-worshipers =)

Going to progress to the next round, as Monty's actions will be hiding Tad and moving for the most part, so won't affect things too greatly.

The battle rages all around you! Over by the gate, you see Juliet and a couple of the Aspis mercenaries putting up a hell of a fight versus dozens of the ape-men. Near the breach, most of the camp defenders have backed off, fearful of the giant ape, and pressed back by the hoards.

All around, the screeching and yowling of the charau-ka fills the air, and you start to recognize a name in there, being repeated over and over: 'Anghazani'. It doesn't take much to realize that is the name of the might four-armed behemoth.

Behind you, you hear the loud clanking footsteps of the giant iron monolith, as it emerges from the excavation and starts to march across the camp. It stomps right over the mess tent in its path, clipping one corner, and causing that side of the tent to start caving in. You see a few of the less courageous camp workers fleeing from the cover of the tent as it collapses.

Faliana, Moke in control and fighting a familiar hated foe, moves in to assist Brady, though her mwangi spirit still hasn't quite gotten the feel for the unfamiliar reach weapon, and misses.

Brady recovers quickly form the blow to his knee, swinging around in a mighty wallop, that not only strikes the ape-man on his right, but the force of the blow then smashes into the one beside it as well! Dale slides in behind him, and uses his spoon to heal Brady's knee before he has to put too much more weight on it.

Dru takes advantage of Brady's swing, to move in beside him, and she smashes her morning star into the chest of the charau-ka there, and it shrieks in pain and anger. In response, it launches itself at the spear-maiden... but all of its attacks just bounce off her armor.

The other one continues to attack Brady with howling frenzy. He is ready this time, barely parrying both club swings, despite being off balance from his earlier swing. But he is not quite expecting it to leap at him, and bite with its fangs! It takes a large chunk of flesh out of his forearm, adding more blood to that already covering its face. (4 damage to Brady)

At the gate, the giant ape sees the iron monolith and lets forth a roaring bellow of challenge, as it starts heading towards the new challenger, crushing a few defenders beneath its feet as it goes. All around, the charau-ka howl in support of their champion.

- Round 2 --------
Monty
Monolith

- Round 3 --------
Dale (-1), Monty, Faliana, Brady (-6), Dru
yellow charau-ka (-11), blue charau-ka (-16), further monkey business, Anghazani Champion

The Monolith and the rest of the party is up!

Monty gets two rounds of actions (Will be a standard to stow Tad away)

I'm sorry but I don't remember and don't have time at the moment to look back, but have we come across that name before? Anghazani?

As quickly as Dale heals Brady he springs another leak, this time from a set of canines and incisors "That charau-ka really enjoys your flavor Brady, the taste of exotic food maybe?" He reaches out and hits him yet again with his spoon, completely restoring the removed flesh and blood.

"MMM SOUP!" Giggle! Spoon o CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"Maybe we should try shifting a bit to our East? I don't want to be that close to King Kong and Godzilla over there when they start flailing fists and feet!" He takes the opportunity to do just that.

Always forgot to add +2 to dmg with the sceance, sorry. THat's 11 dmg total

The demon lord that holds sway over much of the interior of the Expanse, including many of the charau-ka, is Anghazan. His name has popped up a couple of times (In the first scenario, and this one).

Anghazani seems a variation on that, which might indicate some of its influences... or just pure coincidence!

Tad continues to move his monolith towards the huge enemy. It is obviously much more that his companions can deal with. It must be the Lady's mercy that the monolith is available so Tad can protect his friends. Tad prays as he walks, hoping the Lady is pleased with what he is doing. He hopes that he doesn't hurt anyone small as he walks past, particularly his friends, but can't be too sure because his monolith is so big.

You called it.

Monty moves around the back of the tree, putting his friend down gently. He pats him down, looking for the odd cube thing. He looks at it for a moment and looks at the Monolith. Super high wisdom modifier to make the connection?

He tries to put his hands with Tad's over the object, maybe seeing if he could trigger one of the other monoliths, or at least confirm his suspicions.

Monty will find the cube in Tad's pack, seemingly no different then when he last saw it. The grippli is completely unconscious. There does not appear to be any obvious connection between the two.

Moke caught off guard by the giant monolith moving up next to him, scrambles into a defensive crouch, but, Faliana, seeing an opportunity, wrests control of her body back from the spirit, and rushes off after Monty, worried about the vanarian. He can handle himself in a fight but he'd be severely handicapped with having to protect Tad, and he could possibly be easily overwhelmed by the numbers of charau-ka.

_______
Despite using sounds readily found in Japanese and, to a lesser extent, English, I can not remember the names of these enemies for the life of me!

Morningstar, PA: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 1 = 25
Dmg, PA, Sceance: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 9

Dru doesnt waste time and whack the monkey facing her again

Theres some rumble in the jungle tonight...

Monty swears again in Vanaran before setting the cube down on Tad's chest.

I'm sorry friend, but I'm needed up front, I can't waste my time puzzling this out.

He steps out and runs forward, nearly bumping into Falina. He nods and points his staff back the direction he came.

I've hid Tadd beneath a tree over there. He's unresponsive, and I can't tell if that stupid cube has anything to do with it. Your far more skilled at the healing arts, and at magic... I'm going to the front line, you do what you think is best!

Turning the corner into the main road in the camp between the camp, he calls out ahead to his friends.

Tad's safe! Keep the bastards back!

double move

Botting a swing from Brady!

Dru continues to assault the charau-ka in front of her, slamming her morning star into it one more time. Sorely wounded already, the creature drops, its head split open.

Dale nervous about the two behemoths moving towards each other right beside them, moves away some, and continues to heal Brady, finally fixing the last of Brady's wounds. The half-orc, feeling whole and hearty for the first time all day, swings at the remaining ape-man, his fist connecting with a meaty thunk, and that one too drops like it's been poleaxed.

Faliana, also a little nervous about the huge creatures so nearby, and about where Monty has gotten off to, heads back the way she came, skirting the mess hall tent, and nearly colliding with the Vanaran as he comes the other way, having secreted Tad under some roots at the base of one of the nearby trees.

Behind them, the sound of the two giant opponents coming together is almost deafening!

The giant ape, and the giant cold-iron monolith finally meet, one flailing with tooth and claw, the other slamming mighty metalic fists. With a roar, the Anghazani attacks... its mighty claws and teeth slamming into the giant metal guardian with a ferocity hard to match! It rips at the animated armor trying to tear it apart... but the statue seems to be built with unusual strength, and though the fists slam into it, and small dents form across its surface, the giant ape is unable to reef any of the metal plates off, no matter how hard it heaves.

Aww, all four rends missed!

The charau-ka screech is support as they champion assaults the monolith. A barrage of rocks goes by, narrowly missing Brady and Dru, as more of the ape-men descend on your position, running under the legs of the Anghazani itself.

- Round 3 --------
Monolith (-30)

- Round 4 --------
Dale (-1), Monty, Faliana, Brady, Dru
cyan charau-ka, pink charau-ka, further monkey business, Anghazani Champion

The Monolith and the rest of the party is up!

You are dangerously close to the large ape.
The charau-ka are moving through the Anghazani's space... they will arrive next round.
The entire left row of tents has now been trampled and destroyed. =)

Tad causes his monolith to slam into the giant ape twice.

slam 1: 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (17) + 36 = 53
slam 2: 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (17) + 36 = 53
damage 1: 4d12 + 27 ⇒ (11, 5, 4, 4) + 27 = 51
damage 2: 4d12 + 27 ⇒ (8, 12, 4, 2) + 27 = 53
Just a reminder that these count as cold iron in case of any DR or anything

Seeing his chance to toss a bomb with the group of enemies and lack of allies Dale moves up and clears the group, grabbing a black sphere, shaking it thoroughly and lobbing it at the giant ape as close to the little guys as possible "Lets hope he's as easy to hit as he looks! And burns!"

Bomb vs Big's Touch AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10
Reflex DC17, 7 fire

Monty runs the rest of the way up, sliding into place in front of his friends, twirling his staff.

Come on you damn dirty apes! Let's see how you handle a real bit of Monkey!

He swears at them some more rather colorfully in Vanaran.

Double move.

Trying her hardest not to hear the sounds of combat and the cries of the charau-ku she can tell is singing and enticing song to the spirit in her head, Faliana drops into the cover of the forest and quickly spots Tad. She rushes up to him and takes a moment to cover her hands in her head scarf.

Double move

As Monty arrives, Brady looks over to his companions as they gather around the large battle.

"This one seems to be on our side, or at least I hope that's what this all means. Are we trying to engage the big one here, too, or is that just crazy talk?"

Brady is holding his action at the present.
__________________
I tried to find answers for these questions, but they might be too far back to find easily:
What size are the girallon and the construct?
What is the in-game meaning of the red boxes?

The construct and girallon are both size huge. (15'x15')
The red square is the invading charau-ka forces pushing in through the breach... mostly engaged with various camp defenders.

Wanting to help defend the camp, but cautious of the potential reach of the four-armed monstrosity, Brady moves to carefully disengage. "I'm going to try to protect our flank!" He yells above the sounds of combat. "Let's hope that Azlanti thing is enough!"

Beside you, the monolith and the giant ape continue their epic battle, this time with the Monolith landing crushing blows, before the ape responds. But it clearly is feeling some pain, as it can't quite close its jaws on the metallic statue, nor get more then a couple of its hands to grip the armor. But it does finally make some progress trying to tear pieces away, as some of the Monolith's plating peels away.

Faliana and Monty return to the rest of the party, breathing heavy from their haste. Brady, realizing that one errent step would be the difference of getting crushed by the huge creatures beside them, rushes around the nearby tent, hoping to assist with defenses elsewhere. Dru merely backs away from the current threats, ready for the charau-ka breaking your way.

Dale however, gets brave, completely ignoring the ape's long limbs, he lobs a bomb at it. The missile explodes against the creature's massive leg, though it doesn't even notice, the fire not even singing any hairs. The nearby charau-ka duck behind that same leg, avoiding most of the incoming flames.

It does prove to incite them to a frenzy though, as both screech in anger. They both charge forward, though one is immediately intercepted by a group of armed defenders, and cut down before he can get close. The other heads straight for the alchemist for daring to attack their champion! His fury is enough to propel his crude club past Dale's defenses, and smash him on the arm. (5 damage to Dale)

On the far side of the tent, another charau-ka flings a rock at Brady as he comes around the tent, then leaps down from the nearby tree, knocking a nearby camp guard to the ground, as it waves its club around howling
madly.

Around you, the defenders seem to be taking heart from the fact that giant iron monolith is fighting the Anghazani, and they have managed to push back a bit against the incoming charau-ka hoards.

- Round 4 --------
Monolith (-55)

- Round 5 --------
Dale (-6), Monty, Faliana, Brady, Dru
cyan charau-ka, pink charau-ka (-3), further monkey business, Anghazani Champion (-104)

The Monolith and the rest of the party is up again!

Technically, though there are foes everywhere, you guys only get to engage so many.. =) So this cyan one on Brady is different then the previous cyan one! Honest.

Dale's face drops a bit, seeing his firey bombs do very little to the big ape "Well that makes that an easy decision!"

He rubs his leg at the fresh bruise and looks at the monkey man with a look of anger in his eyes (if you could see them behind all that hair..) He draws out his dagger and starts pointing it at the Charau-ka and hollering at him in Polyglot

Intimidate (demoralize): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

I don't remember if they speak it or not but its worth a go instead of stabbing with this dagger.

Brady takes a good look at the charua-ka facing him. He shakes his shield arm to snap the leather grip tighter, then starts rushing towards the ape-creature shield forward; at the last minute, he turns the shield to the side and wings a powerful blow at the creature with his free hand.

Monty spins his staff first one way...

bluff fient: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

then the other, sweeping the ape hopefully from it's feet!

trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Assuming he does so, he prepares to strike the ape as it stands.

hanbo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Monty spins his staff first one way...

bluff fient: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

then the other, sweeping the ape hopefully from it's feet!

trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Assuming he does so, he prepares to strike the ape as it stands.

Aoo hanbo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Oops, misread Faliana's earlier post... and only noticed from the map! She didn't go back to the party with Monty! Too late to edit it now. 8P

Faliana is going to deliver the cube to Dale next round. He might be able make sense of it.

In defference to the almost paralyzing distrust of the arcane energies from the cube, Faliana covers her hand with her head scarf and slwly picks up the shining cube on Tad's chest. She quickly covers the cube with her scarf and puts it in her bag. Giving te prone form of the grippli a pat on the head and a wish that he'll be okay, she regrasps her longspear and moves off to deliver the cube to Dale.

______
Move to manipulate an item, move to get closer to Dale and the action.

PA Morningstar: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 1 = 8
Dmg, PA, Sceance: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 13

Dru seems to be out of rythm, her attack missing totally the ape like creature

Tad continues to slug at the ape monstrosity.

slam 1: 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (3) + 36 = 39
slam 2: 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (1) + 36 = 37
damage 1: 4d12 + 27 ⇒ (6, 9, 9, 8) + 27 = 59
damage 2: 4d12 + 27 ⇒ (2, 2, 8, 1) + 27 = 40

Both sides of the conflict continue their desperate battle!

The Monolith keeps slamming its mighty metal fists into the Anghazani Champion, but as it does, something seems to go wrong, as one arm starts to jerk about ineffectively, only one of the blows landing.

The giant ape roars triumphantly at the shift in momentum, and lays into the iron monolith with renewed vigor, scoring hit after hit. The Monolith's steel plates and joints start to buckle and fold... and huge dents start to impede its movement!

Apart from the titanic struggle happening so near, the rest of the Pathfinders continue helping to repel the invading hoards.

Brady says words at the charau-ka nearby, unsure if the creature can even understand him... but judging by the suddenly worried glance it throws back towards the Anghazani, it looks like it did! Monty takes advantage of the distraction to sweep the legs, sending the small creature tumbling to the ground with a startled shriek. Dru steps in to clobber it while it's down, but the creature is still quite quick, and rolls aside, her morning star thudding to the ground instead.

It continues its roll, trying to get back up to its feet. It moves so quickly, Monty is unable to strike it on its way up, but both Dru and Dale have better luck... though Dale's blow has no force behind it, his strength depleted from the cognatogen he drank earlier. Once on its feet, it shakes off the blow from the morning star, and aims its club at Monty's head, though the vanaran is easily able to step back out of the way.

Around the other side of the tent, Brady has joined a small force of camp defenders driving back the ape-men there, standing shoulder to shoulder with one of the Aspis mercenaries, Juliet not far off, yelling commands. The charau-ka facing him can't quite land a blow, and screams at him in anger.... but Brady has little better luck, the small proving quite difficult to hit.

- Round 5 --------
Monolith (-103)

- Round 6 --------
Dale (-6), Monty, Faliana, Brady, Dru
cyan charau-ka, pink charau-ka (-11), further monkey business, Anghazani Champion (-163)

The Monolith and the rest of the party is up again!

Not liking being so close to the giant ape, or the face that Brady ran off alone, Dale withdraws from the front row seats to circle around behind the tents to get closer to the barricade If one of those giants steps towards us we'll be flattened!

"Dale's here, don't worry!" He hollers to Brady as he comes around the corner.

Withdraw action

Tad starts to panic, and prays to Sarenrae to help him not lose control of the monolith. He's afraid if he loses control it might hurt his friends.

Then he continues to try to get the monolith to slam into the giant ape.

slam 1: 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (1) + 36 = 37
slam 2: 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (11) + 36 = 47
damage 2: 4d12 + 27 ⇒ (4, 7, 11, 9) + 27 = 58

Brady continues his assault on the charau-ka in front of him, hoping that he can make a swing connect! "Good to see you Dale! I'd ask how things were going over there, but I can see for myself. What have we gotten into?!?"

Feeling Moke almost literally shuddering over the unexpected behavior from the cube, Faliana drops into a flat out run moving as close to Dale as she can, but she ends up being frustrated as he moves away from her. Having sprinted across the feilds she stops for a moment catching her breath. Why do I always carry so much? Then in a broken voice she yells out, "Dale.... come get this.... cube off of me! It's acting.... odd. Moke doesn't.... like it.... I don't think.... I can hold him off.... any longer and... frankly.... I don't like what... it's doing either."

Monty hops sideways, going first like he's going to trip again...

bluff fient: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

before switching up and swinging the Hanbo at the Charu-ka's head instead!

hanbo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Can't seem to hit for beans today.

morningstar+PA: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 1 = 20
Dmg, PA, Sceance: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 9

Dru delivers another strike on one of the monkey-men

Come on, we can win this fight! WE SHALL WIN TIS FIGHT!

With so many charau-ka pushing against the line, its all Brady can do to keep from getting swarmed, much less manage to hit any of them.

Dru and Monty fare a little better. The vanaran once more feints out the ape-man, though it proves still too quick for him to hit... but then Dru steps in and silences his incessant howling for good!

The cube held tentatively in one hand, Faliana races to catch up to Dale, who is moving around to backup Brady.

And in the center of camp, the battle continues, the two giant creatures continuing trade blows, and it is obvious both of them are starting to run out of steam. The Monolith tries to smash the ape with it powerful fists, but the second arm still seems to be malfunctioning. Still it lands a punch that sends vibrations through the air, and with an angry bellow, the Anghazani champion stumbles backwards, falling to the ground with a thunderous crash! It still breaths however, and the Monolith seems to step forward to deliver the final blow, then suddenly freezes!

It stands there motionless for a moment, then lowers its arm, pivots on one leg, and starts to march back the way it came. Though all its structural damage causes its gait to list slightly, and joints to grind noisily.

The reaction of the charau-ka at their Champion falling is immediate. Collectively, they all start to howl and screech even louder and then most of the hoards start to descend on the Anghazani's position, surrounding the downed creature.

Not all of them do so however, as pockets of fighting continue all over camp, including by the main gate where Brady is.

- Round 7 --------
Dale (-6), Monty, Faliana, Brady, Dru <---- we are here!
cyan charau-ka, further monkey business, Anghazani Champion (-221)

Party is up!

Morningstar, PA: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 1 = 22
Dmg, PA, sceance: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 13

Dru sees that Brady is in trouble, and gets closer before whacking the foe with her morningstar

Confused by the cube's actions; trying to ignore and contain Moke, who is completely weirded out by them, the monolith, and not fighting the enemy right in front of him; and wanting nothing more to do with it, Faliana rushes up to Dale and quickly jostled the cube into the man's hands. With a rush of words, she starts to explain what happened. "It started vibrating and heating up but then stopped and this is freaking me and Moke out. Just take it!"

_________
Move to get closer, second move to manipulate an item.

"Umm ok no problem! How's Tad? Good? Ok, lemme take a look at this thing..."

Dale pulls the cube out of the scarf and takes a look, pressing buttons and runes and turning it all about trying to see if it does SOMETHING.
Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

As he works he turns back to the others "Well don't just stand here watching me, there's a crazy monkey army to beat!"

Faliana finally divests herself of the strange metallic cube, handing it to Dale. She can't get rid of it quickly enough, as she almost forces it on him like its about to explode.

Dale doesn't seem to notice, his naturally curious nature interested to investigate the reported strange new behavior, everything else becoming secondary for a moment.

He spins and turns it in random directions for a while, pressing various runes and glyphs, and even shaking it and pressing it against his forehead for a moment, though nothing unusual happens to the cube... or him.

Meanwhile, the pitched battle between the camp forces, and those charau-ka that are not immediately retreating to the defense of the down (but still breathing) Anghazani, goes on!

The battle lines seem to have shifted significantly with the ape-men's apparent change in priorities, and Dru skirts along behind the new front where it pressed up against the nearby tent. She comes at the charau-ka battling Brady from the side and it does not see her coming until far too late. She clobbers it hard and based on its awkward stance, once it recovers, she may have dislocated one of its shoulders.

- Round 7 --------
Dale (-6), Monty, Faliana, Brady, Dru, Tad <---- we are here!
cyan charau-ka, further monkey business, Anghazani Champion (-221)

Just Monty and Brady to go

quiet going into the weekend... botting a punch from Brady!

Monty tries to get over to the where the fighting is still going on, but the charau-ka hoards seem to well up suddenly fighting back defenders. Brady still manages to land a solid blow versus the nearby ape-man, and combined with Dru's assault, knocks that enemy to the ground... but there are still so many more!

All around you, small battles continue, but across towards the main excavation, you see the Angazhani moving! It takes a moment to realize that scores of charau-ka are actually working in tandem, and carrying the massive beast on their shoulders! All of them, start to move towards the breach in the palisade, hundreds more forming a defensive wall around them as they move out.

Off to the side, Juliet notices this too, and starts calling on those that are able to shoot the damn dirty ape... Arrows start raining down on the procession from different parts of the camp, and many charau-ka fall from poorly aimed shots, but many many more strike the Anghazani... but all of them seem to bounce harmlessly off of its thick fur-covered hide. Juliet quickly calls a halt to the bombardment, not wanting to waste the arrows.

As quickly as they came in, the charau-ka and their champion leave, carrying the unconscious body of the Anghazani off down the hill and into the darkness outside walls. A cheer goes up from the remaining defenders!

Any ape men that remain are quickly outnumbered and dispatched with brutal efficiency.

combat over...

Juliet doesn't let any of the defenders rest for more then a few moments though, as she immediately starts calling on anyone nearby to help close the breach.

You see some men pushing the now empty wagons you arrived in over to fill the gap, Raimondo complaining the entire time... though he helps move them as well. You note he has managed to acquire a large gash over one eye. One of his drovers is with him, though you do not see the other.

The bodies of ape-men are everywhere, scores of them... intermixed with those of the defenders. Everyone seems injured in one form or another.

"By the gods." Juliet exclaims as she approaches you. "That metal man came just in time! That giant beast would have been the end of us for sure! Did you find that in the ruins?"

"Shame they managed to get him clear still breathing." She adds, with a concerned frown. "But at least we're still breathing too."

She looks around at some of the nearby bodies, with a grim look, the ironic realization that not everyone is still breathing not lost on her.

There is a shout from the wall, and she looks over listening for a moment, before turning hastily back to you.

"Can you get it back again? This is not over yet! Sounds like they're just regrouping for another assault! We could use it!"

She immediately runs off again, directing defenders and supplies to walls.

... or is it?!

Outside, you can hear the screeching and howling of the charau-ka rising once more... The light from the sphere in the main excavation has not dimmed at all.

Tad runs over to the others. "Did any of you take the cube? I need it to control the monolith! That big ape has to be stopped!"

Dale looks at Tad, then looks at the cube he's holding, then back at Tad, and then back at the cube before pointing a finger at Faliana "She took it a bit after your collapsed. He hands it back. [b]"It seems to be broken though, or perhaps only attuned to those with a small stature and a long tongue..."

He takes a moment to tap himself with the wand before hurriedly asking a question of Tad "So you were driving that thing? Tell me more! Did your consciousness travel into its body? Was there a set of controls up in its head maybe? Did it have any odd smells?" He dogs Tad with questions as long as possible, fumbling to pull out his journal and record the answers.

"MMM SOUP!" Giggle! Spoon o CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Tad takes the cube and tries to answer all of Dale's questions. Then if he is able to, he looks around for a place to wait where he will be safe if he falls over again. He smiles at Faliana, making it clear he has no ill will about the cube being taken. He's pretty sure it was a matter of her trying to take care of him.

"I don't think it will work unless the giant ape creature is close enough. I'll be ready and wait and see what happens."

Monty looks at the cube and hmms for a moment.

Perhaps it might work if you bring it near the orb? It is still glowing rather brightly.

Brady keeps his fists swinging through the retreat of the charau-ka, harrying them until they're through the wall and fleeing. He helps the defenders push wagons into the gap, then joins the others in the discussion of the cube.

"That was you?!?" he asks Tad, incredulous. "Wow, that's kind of crazy. The Azlanti certainly had some insane capabilities. Do you think that big ape was a threat all the way back then, too? Why else would they have this monolith at the ready to fight it, if not?"

Ya, GMing during online specials seems to be a pretty consistent source for such things without having to take on the whole commitment of a face-to-face convention.

Got a dhampir that way (traded it for a ratfolk)
And a grippli.
And more recently a samsaran for GMing for you guys during the last Gameday.

Dunno if the Outpost pbp event coming up will have GM boons. We will find out soon enough.

There should be both GM and player boons for OutPost. It is an approved convention. However, I don't want to promise too much right now; there have been a few snags recently with such things.

I should read the rules on that, to get some racial boons. Unfortunatly, I don't have enough time to GM these days.

Real talk? So much fangirling from my side over monty and fali. Couldn't be a better moment if it happened in a movie.

I won't be able to get a post up until lunchtime.

Real talk? So much fangirling from my side over monty and fali. Couldn't be a better moment if it happened in a movie.

Same! So much the same!

Awwww, you guys!

I think much of what led up to that must have happened behind spoilers. I did *not* see that coming!

OK, game on!

I had originally wanted to do the entire post from the point of view of the xacarba! But realized as I was typing that I had no idea how to properly convey the alien brain and thought processes of an immortal soulless fiend.

So dialed it back a bit, and just included the little blurb from its side of the door.

Been quiet today... am all eager to pour on the dramatic moments... but everyone's actually enjoying their weekend. The nerve! =)

Nah. I've had the flu all week/end. Starting to recover now.

As surmised... had a fun weekend that kept me away from the computer until now. Thanks for your patience; please don't punish Brady for it. :)

we're doomed...^^

I realize this whole scenario has been a bit of a downer for poor Dru.
Pounced and knocked unconscious in the first fight.
Lots of talky stuff.
All misses in the 2nd fight.
And grabbed up in the last fight with almost no chance to get out.
Hopefully it wasn't too much frustration.

For the record guys, that actually was a CR 15 xacarba, in a tier 3-4 scenario. Just to make it all interesting.

They powered it down somewhat, by having the golem grabbing it, taking away the bite and its ability to move or use the spell-like abilities, and hindering the other attacks some. But it still had its DR and resistances and saving throws and SR and hit points and AC. It could still redirect spells, and had its feats and skills and such. Was not much you could do against it directly to be sure.

From there, they just extrapolated it down to three independently acting tails, that they really should have given a little more clarification on how to adjudicate.

Though I used the +37 grab value... I was actually applying negatives to that... I just liked using the big number to scare you if you were looking.

If you drank from the fountain, it gave you a +30 on your CMD/escape artist checks, etc... so the two that didn't drink (Dru and Fal) were pretty much in autograb territory, if they got hit. (And even some of the others I could get, if I rolled really well and they weren't defensive)

Overall, felt kind of exciting, so I think it worked ok. A nice exclamation point on our run!

So, we've mostly finished the main part (at least the parts that matter for working out the chronicle)! Just some final clean up and RP stuff to go, then get you guys back to Nantambu, and wherever some of you are going from there!

So if you guys can start working on Day Job checks for said chronicles, that'd be good!

Also, if you have any questions regarding faction card items, let me know.

*giggles at my stupid own joke*

Well, my bodyguard needs a bodyguard.

Day Job, Bodyguard: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

And the bad rolls hilariously continue.

Craft: Alchemy + Crafter's Fortune: 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 5 = 34

Ah so it was the fountain, glad I drank from the waters then. It was still a very mean fight since there wasn't much you could do to fight back. It came down to the wire, a good ending. I was pretty concerned someone was going to die.

Did I complete either of these Faction goals?

(0/1)Recover a named minor artifact or major artifact during the course of an adventure.

(1/2)Identify a potion or other magic item whose caster level equals or exceeds your character level.

Fal came 1 hp away from dead on that last round. But that worked out in my favor, as I got to work a new spirit in for her visually, via the now expended aegis.
I got worried when I looked at the 18 damage... and couldn't figure out if the aegis would even trigger if she went from above zero to dead in one shot. Then remembered that the grapple damage, and constrict damage, were actually two separate damage sources, not one... so the aegis could easily trigger in between the two if needed. So all was good... and turned out the damage was 1 short anyway =)

As for faction stuff for Dale:
Yes on the second.
Don't think any of it counts as an artifact though, so will say no on the first.

She was one point away from dying?!!! Ahhhhhhh! I would have posted something more exploratory if I'd realized that, shoot.

Still lots of time to ponder your own mortality as you come around in the aftermath! =)

But ya, sorry. I got caught up describing it all ... and forgot to actually post the damage numbers in little [ooc] comments as per usual.

You were at 15/22.
Got grappled and constricted for 18 (putting you at -11 with a 12 con)
Then the aegis got triggered, healing you for 16.

Thus you ended up at 17/22 after that round. But it was far more dramatic then it looked from the final number.

No faction card, so Profession: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Profession (merchant), traveler's any-tool: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 = 20 Min 25 gp due to Slush Fund boon from faction card

faction card: was the xacarba 'an outsider that has the evil subtype' or 'an evil-aligned creature with the elemental subtype'?

edit: Tad has no day job.

Most definitely, Tad.

Monty, I know you're using a replay for this one...

What sort is it? So I can mark it on the chronicle.

Second GM star. :) Now I just got to get to work on GMing for my recharges for this year, but totally, absolutely 100% worth it for this game series.

Well guys... that's it. Six up. Six down!

But now, it is time to send you off into the world!
(Well except for Tad, who's managed to cling for one more =))

Thanks for joining and embracing our little mini-adventure. Hope everyone had fun. I know I enjoyed running you all through it!

Reporting it in a moment, and sending out chronicles not long thereafter.

Feel free to RP some more if you want... made sure to give you a hook back into the museum, if you want one (for Monty, Brady, and Fal)

OK then! Everything reported, and I just sent out chronicle sheets. (Welcome to level 4, Dru!)
I 'may' have forgot to attach one (I know I missed Dale, but sent a second) ... but might have forgotten another, let me know!

I kind shortened that last post in the gameplay thread a bit... was aiming for something a little longer, but then they started updating the forums and web sight, and I got paranoid about everything blowing up, so just sent what I had quick.

Fal, I keep meaning to give you some background info that the scenario has on cyclops spirit... plus some thoughts on it of my own.
Will get to that eventually if you're still interested.

OK, apparently the 'may have forgotten'... was a 'definitely forgotten' =)

Re-sent yours Monty.

I have Tad's chronicle and it looks correct.

Thank you so much, EM, for this amazing sequence of adventures.

And thank you to you guys, also, for the in depth roleplaying as a party. Best wishes to these dear characters, and I hope I will see all of you on the boards lots.

OK then! Everything reported, and I just sent out chronicle sheets. (Welcome to level 4, Dru!)

I 'may' have forgot to attach one (I know I missed Dale, but sent a second) ... but might have forgotten another, let me know!

I kind shortened that last post in the gameplay thread a bit... was aiming for something a little longer, but then they started updating the forums and web sight, and I got paranoid about everything blowing up, so just sent what I had quick.

Fal, I keep meaning to give you some background info that the scenario has on cyclops spirit... plus some thoughts on it of my own.
Will get to that eventually if you're still interested.

Ohh, yes please on the background information!

thank you for that great game!

If you want to play a new series of adventures i'm in!

Sent you a PM Fal... though not sure how you find them in this new board format.

I had an enormously good time in this series with both you the GM and everyone else as the players. May your Steins stay full, your dice roll high, and your Paizo remain stable.

PS GM: You sent me Dead Man's Debt for the chronicle, not Azlant Ridge.

*On a character side note, I can't wait to get to level 4 so I can finally learn GD Azlanti!

Sent you a PM Fal... though not sure how you find them in this new board format.

I sent you one back! Good luck in finding it!

On a different note, it be late here and I don't have the time to try getting a good finishing gameplay post in today, so I may push it back to tomorrow.

Private messages can be gotten to through the 'my account' pulldown menu.

PS GM: You sent me Dead Man's Debt for the chronicle, not Azlant Ridge.

Well, that's not good, considering I've already sent it twice!

And Monty, you won't be able to flurry with the flail (like you can with the staff). Not sure if that's a concern for you... but something to keep in mind.

I admit I was disappointed when Slitherbane and Dru turned out to be diametrically opposed in alignment... those two seemed like they might hit it off ... until I noticed that.

I think I will re read all our stuff, this week end...

That's like 53 pages!

The little grippli makes puppy dog eyes at the great, wise GM.

One of the new scenarios released today looks like it's going to follow up on a lot of what we did as a team, and it's a 3-7. In a quick glance at the intro, I saw mention of Bloodcove, gripplis, Ghol-Gan, and Fola. As soon as I saw that much, I stopped skimming to not spoil it.

Is there any possibility of a reunion in a few months? I would definitely save this scenario for such a reunion.

edit: I should have remembered to state that I'm talking about 9-15 The Bloodcove Blockade

That would be great....

*makes puppy eyes too*

I saw that too and mentally cursed the timing, but it would be and amazing reunion for us!

*Pulls an eye patch out of her bag, puts it on and makes a puppy dog eye as well*

*Makes monkey eyes* I still need to work on the puppy dog thing, but dang it I'm fuzzy and adorable!

And yeah, I think mechanics wise I'm just gonna not worry to much about flurrying and trade off between my staff and the flail depending on the situation. And having an intelligent weapon around to keep an eye out on your back is just useful, even if you don't use it as a primary weapon.

*tries to make puppy dog eyes, but just ends up looking angry*

I am so in if we could run that as a reunion together.

Back off man! *runs and hides from the puppy-eyed hoards*

At some point, before Monday, I will mark this as inactive... if only to free up some of the campaign page space for all the Outpost stuff incoming.

Goes and finds the GM's hiding spot. Then sits down right outside it, looking pitiful and friendly.

(by the way, if you had actually said no, I would have stopped asking/goofing around)

Heh. It's not beyond the realms of possibility.
But I've never GM'd a scenario I've not played in first! Nor bought one that wasn't on sale in some way. So you have that against you at present.

There are lots of scenarios down this part of the world.
Hell, could probably drum up 6 more and connect them all up, if I had the wherewithal.

I'll keep it in mind though. =)
I did a reunion scenario for the last group I did this for during the last Gameday.... though took some work finding one none of them had played.

And for those who wondered about the title of the campaign!

Something to sail home on!

(wow, that was 30 years ago?)