Muri exhales, suddenly aware he was holding his breath while the others engaged the devil with words, not swurds.
Adjacent to double doors, the halfling throws them open to regard what lies beyond, though he doesn't exit their current room.
"Well, that was disappointing."
Kamari muses over how that can have been better handled while she joins Muri at the next door.
Kort shrugs as the devil flees, a very weird encounter altogether, but then again, he’s not sure what to expect down here in the totally normal god’s domain in the center of Axis.
”Well, we should be moving on. We have a spirit to save.” Kort moves up to examine the doors at the corner of the hall and is ready to open them (unless it’s trapped or whatever).
Perception
You open the double doors - untrapped.
This large chamber and hallway has several projections and antechambers. It looks like it has also been used for announcement and briefings and a general common area. There is no one here at the moment though a few tables and chairs are scattered around the place.
"Well, that was disappointing."
"Perhaps, but not completely unexpected."
Elen joins the others.
Kort moves up to examine the southern door, readying for others to check it out.
Perception
The southern door is untrapped.
Muri hoofs it to the next door, and flings it open, expecting something foul to ooze from the room.
Elen moves down the hall joining Muri and Kort.
Muri opens the door to a busy laboratory. This large work area provides enough space for six technicians, and it has two broad copper awnings to vent dangerous fumes. Here teams of karumzeks - spidery outsiders who serve Norgorber’s alchemical interests (image) - gleefully concoct new truth serums, invisible inks, and hallucinogenic toxins to use in Norgorber’s name.
You know this in part, because two of the creatures are working here now! They are human sized spiders with red eyes, spindly legs, and cloaklike folds of black flesh that obscures their heads.
A karumzek is a specialized servitor of Norgorber—one focused on Blackfingers, the god’s aspect dealing with alchemy, experimentation, and poison. Despite this focus, a karumzek is as fond of murder as a devotee of Father Skinsaw, as covetous of material goods as a follower of the Gray Master, and as careful with secrets as one who worships the Reaper of Reputation. When left to its own devices, a karumzek spends its time crafting poisons, drugs, and other strange concoctions, and is usually armed with several common alchemical weapons—typically acid, alchemist’s fire, smokesticks, and thunderstones.
One question for each five you beat the DC.
- - -
They seem to have anticipated your arrival somehow, and you watch them each cast Shield as you open the door.
Know (Planes)
Kort blinks as he surveys the spiderjerks.
As alchemists, they have bombs and spells. They also shoot webs, though rarely. Their fangs are poisonous and they have a sneak attack.
No particular weaknesses and weak SR at 17.
- - -
When he can speak, Kort relays the information in the spoiler.
The Night Swan rushes in and quickly assess a perfect strike on one of the spidery alchemists.
HP: 151/151
AC: 39/18/35
Saves: F17/R17/W18 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled diseases)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Heroism, fight defensively
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+23[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] damage.
Round 1
Kamari thinks she's seen a drawing of the spidery alchemists before but maybe not.
She tumbles into the room and past one of them to set up the flank for others and avoid being flanked herself next round.
Hero Points 1/3
#/# daily uses remaining
Panache 5/6
Arcane Pool 3/3
Pearl of Power 2/2
Determination from Armor 1/1
Swordmaster's Flair blue scarf 1/1
Winged boots - 3/3 minutes
Princess's tear brooch - 18/18 HP available
Koriana's blade gemstones
White - Magic missiles 1/1
Pink - Mind-affecting spells 1/1
Black - Negative energy 1/1
Green - Poison 1/1
Prepared Spells
Level 0 (4 per day)
Dancing Lights
Daze
Mage Hand
Prestidigitation
Level 1 (4 per day)
Fallback Strategy - used
Shield - used
True Strike
Vanish
Round 1
Kort 5' steps and fires at purple, ignoring combat and cover. (improved precise shot).
to hit; (+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
hp: 139/139
AC: 28/17t/23ff
Saves: F11/R16/W14 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/10 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/4 used
Extend Rods: 3/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 0/11 used (CLW*0,Shield*0,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 3/11 used (Inv*0,RE*1,*CE*0,SInv*2,LesRest*0)
3: 4/9 used (H*2,DM*0,DayBreakArrow*1, MCaE10'*1)
4: 0/8 used (GrInv*0,CCW*0,FoM*0)
5: 2/4 used (CLWM*0,FlStr*2,TruSee*0,MassStoneskin*0)
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+19+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+19+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+14+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+7+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
touch to hit; (heroism,PBP)
fire damage
Elen flies into the room and lands.
For
For
Hits: 83/84
Current AC: 31
Current Saves: Fort: +11; Ref +10; Will: +7, +9 if Enchant (Elf) (+2 cloak), Con Loss
(Normal) AC: 22 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge)
flat: 18 (ring +2, nat armor +2, mage armor +4)
touch: 24 (ring +2, Dex +5, Cha +6, Dodge +1)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 30
WandofMageArmorCharges = 10/50
Wand of CLW: 37/50
Resolve = 6/8
Challenge = 5/5
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kamari tumbles in and cracks the spidery looking things solidly (DR) - and demoralizes it! Edelmira also comes romping in, and comes closer to missing than she’d care to admit, but she lands a solid blow (DR). Elen flies in hitting Pink and hampering their movements. Major Kort hits three times (DR once) thanks to purple being flat-footed!
Purple steps away from the reach of the party and casts haste on the pair. Pink can’t so easily get away, so it attacks the apparently easier to hit Elen wearing no armor!
Fort DC 21 or suffer
Fort DC 21 or suffer
Fort DC 21 or suffer
Much to the spider's surprise and chagrin, it only hits once!
Muri hears a whisper in his ear, ”Let’s see if you can shoot your weapon without that strength of yours…” The shadows themselves (image) peel away from the wall and attack!
Muri feels the icy hand of death strip him of some of his strength. Can he still draw back his powerful bow?
"The not-so-itsy-bitsy-spider from battle did flee."
Elen flies 10 feet up into the air in pursuit of Purple.
For
For
Hits: 69/84
Current AC: 31
Current Saves: Fort: +11; Ref +10; Will: +7, +9 if Enchant (Elf) (+2 cloak), Con Loss
(Normal) AC: 22 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge)
flat: 18 (ring +2, nat armor +2, mage armor +4)
touch: 24 (ring +2, Dex +5, Cha +6, Dodge +1)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 30
WandofMageArmorCharges = 10/50
Wand of CLW: 37/50
Resolve = 6/8
Challenge = 5/5
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kort looks at the shadow, wondering how to best defeat them
Know (Religion) -
DR 10/good and incorporeal.
No weaknesses.
It can put someone into a catatonia instead of killing them with strength drain. While catatonic, the subject generally answers questions truthfully. It can create spawn of course, and set traps in the shadows that do negative damage and layer on fatigue.
This is, the Secret Shade.
As a mortal, the shadow was a master assassin who killed with impunity. It seemed as though nothing could stop him, and with no foes to match his skills, he searched for the next best thing: a rival.
He soon found a perfect competitor, making his introduction by stealing a kill. His rival easily rose to the challenge, outwitting, outrunning, and outperforming the assassin at every turn. Eventually, the assassin thought he had outmaneuvered his rival in Absalom, but the trail ran cold at the Starstone Cathedral.
The rival killer had entered as a mortal, but emerged as Norgorber.
- - -
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Round 2
Kamari takes a 5' step and tries to finish one spider quickly with the extremely magical Rapier Koriana that laughs at any DR.
"Hahahahahahaha!
-
-
The Night Swan steps over to pile on the strikes on the arachnid alchemist near Kamari and Elen.
HP: 151/151
AC: 36/15/35
Saves: F17/R17/W18 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled diseases)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Heroism
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+23[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] damage.
Round 3
Kort 5' steps back and hastily (boots) shoots many bolts at the shade.
to hit; (+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
hp: 139/139
AC: 28/17t/23ff
Saves: F11/R16/W14 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/10 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/4 used
Extend Rods: 3/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
Boots of Speed: 1/10
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 0/11 used (CLW*0,Shield*0,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 3/11 used (Inv*0,RE*1,*CE*0,SInv*2,LesRest*0)
3: 4/9 used (H*2,DM*0,DayBreakArrow*1, MCaE10'*1)
4: 0/8 used (GrInv*0,CCW*0,FoM*0)
5: 2/4 used (CLWM*0,FlStr*2,TruSee*0,MassStoneskin*0)
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+19+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+19+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+14+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+7+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
touch to hit; (heroism,PBP)
fire damage
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Round 1, Finally
AC = 25
HP = 104/104
Weapon Equipped = Chaldira's Hand
Condition(s) = Holy Ire -2 Strength
AC = 32
HP = 118/118
Weapon Equipped = Teef
Condition(s) = None
Muri feels it first, sees it second, while Underfoot instinctively retreats. "It sounds like you've been watching us. Do you have a name? Who's the boss in here? I'm Muri, and my arrows are blessed by Chaldira Zuzaristan." The halfling raises his bow with enough strength to draw several special arrows.
edit:
Every arrow becomes another reason for Muri to howl louder and louder.
Muri, clearly able to use his bow despite a weakening strength, blazes the damage upon the shadowy form! Despite the record setting harm he does, the shadow does not falter. Kamari tries to take down purple, and nearly pulls it off, but she leaves it for Edelmira to clobber - and she does! She leaves little spidery bits all over the floor. Elen pivots to Pink, making it flat footed and hammering it once (feel free to move on the map to your final spot). Major Kort also focuses on the shade, trying to pull it down. He hits twice, and feels he would have done the job had he had a holy weapon (DR - clustered shot helped).
”I see I shall have to make you my special project.” speaks the shadow to Muri before blending into the walls once again - withdrawing from the archers of the party.
You see Pink hesitate with the departure of the shadow, but only for a moment. As no one is conveniently next to anyone else for a bomb, it decides to turn invisible instead. You hear it scurry around the room a bit, though Elen and Major Kort can track it’s movements (so it’s still on the map in it’s current location - though invisible).
Elen flies over the alchemical table to pink and swings on it.
For
Hits: 69/84
Current AC: 31
Current Saves: Fort: +11; Ref +10; Will: +7, +9 if Enchant (Elf) (+2 cloak), Con Loss
(Normal) AC: 22 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge)
flat: 18 (ring +2, nat armor +2, mage armor +4)
touch: 24 (ring +2, Dex +5, Cha +6, Dodge +1)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 30
WandofMageArmorCharges = 10/50
Wand of CLW: 37/50
Resolve = 6/8
Challenge = 5/5
Hero Pts: 3/3
Round 3
Kamari takes a 5' step beneath Elen and stabs at the same space trusting that there is something there that needs killing.
-
-
Round 3
Seeing Elen move, Kort moves and opens the doors so that he might be able to shoot.
The Night Swan circles around to block the remaining spider-alchemist in the door. She adjusts her fighting style to prepare her better for dealing invisible foes.
HP: 151(156)/151(156)
AC: 36/15/35
Saves: F17/R17/W18 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled diseases)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Heroism, Martial Flexibility (blind fight)
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+23[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] damage.
Round 2, Init 8
AC = 25
HP = 104/104
Weapon Equipped = Chaldira's Hand
Condition(s) = Holy Ire -2 Strength
AC = 32
HP = 118/118
Weapon Equipped = Teef
Condition(s) = None
Muri continues to howl. Initially inspired, it turns to outrage, as the shadow slips away from the holy justice it just faced, and now evades.
Muri howls with disgust at the departure of the shadow after so thorough a drubbing. Kamari swings away but can’t quite hit the magically protected target (not yet flat footed). Edelmira circles around to block the creature’s retreat. Elen can’t manage to swat the invisible spider. Major Kort moves up and opens the double doors leading back to the entry hall.
Pink opens the door behind it, perhaps thinking to flee? Unfortunately the Night Swan and Major Kort are there, lining up on it and a decision is made. It attacks Kamari, the less armored one.
Fort DC 21 or suffer
Fort DC 21 or suffer
Fort DC 21 or suffer
It turns visible after the first attack.
Kort delays slightly to give the goon squad a chance to kill the final spider and save himself some bolts.
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Round 3, Init 8
AC = 25
HP = 104/104
Weapon Equipped = Chaldira's Hand
Condition(s) = Holy Ire -2 Strength
AC = 32
HP = 118/118
Weapon Equipped = Teef
Condition(s) = None
Muri slowly loses his tunnel vision, keenly aware that the shadow isn't dead, because Chaldira tells him so. It frees his mind reluctantly, letting him turn his attention away from the threatening wall to the still threatening spider-like creature on Kamari. Insult to injury, the halfling's real attentions are elsewhere, and the spider receives very little enthusiasm.
Round 3
The Rapier Koriana's green gem flashes briefly and deals with the first dose of poison, and Kamari manages to shrug off the second.
"Finish it already!"
Kamari finds her visible opponent much easier to hit and exploits a couple vulnerable spots.
-
-
Hero Points 1/3
#/# daily uses remaining
Panache 6/6 - gained this round
Arcane Pool 3/3
Pearl of Power 2/2
Determination from Armor 1/1
Swordmaster's Flair blue scarf 1/1
Winged boots - 3/3 minutes
Princess's tear brooch - 18/18 HP available
Koriana's blade gemstones
White - Magic missiles 1/1
Pink - Mind-affecting spells 1/1
Black - Negative energy 1/1
Green - Poison 0/1 - used this round
Prepared Spells
Level 0 (4 per day)
Dancing Lights
Daze
Mage Hand
Prestidigitation
Level 1 (4 per day)
Fallback Strategy - used
Shield - used
True Strike
Vanish
The Night Swan takes the opportunity and hacks away at the boxed-in foe.
HP: 151(156)/151(156)
AC: 36/15/35
Saves: F17/R17/W18 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled diseases)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Heroism, Martial Flexibility (blind fight)
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+23[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] damage.
Muri plinks into the wall, so distracted is he. Kamari brings it though, as she angrily carves up the karumzek alchemist. Edelmira hits twice and finishes the spidery caster.
The various beakers, tumblers, miscellaneous glassware and other alchemical oddities stop rattling as the combat comes to a close.
The room is filled with all manner of alchemical craft. You can help yourself to all manner of alchemy.
The nicer bits can be readily dismantled and taken away and are worth 4,500gp. You also find a boro bead of fourth level!
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Muri dismounts, patting Underfoot on the head, before stalking into the alchemy lab. It doesn't take the halfling long at all to locate exactly what he seeks to find. He secures three weapon blanches, all of them ghost salts.
He plants all the arrows he needs to use up all the coating.
Muri is quite loud about his activity, looking about the room for any shadowsign.
Muri starts returning his newly coated arrows back into his Efficient Quiver.
When it's clear the incorporeal cares not to return just yet, Muri mounts up again, and waits until the others are set.
Kort waits to see if Muri’s challenge is answered, for if Caspar the Backstabbery Ghost continues to hide.
He will spend a bit of time in the alchemical lair, mostly to find some ghost salts and use them on a selection of bolts. When that is done, he will help others with they might take from the lab.
”Fair enough. We’ll need to watch our backs from that shadow returning. But which way to go now? That way?” Kort points to yonder door when others are ready.
Elen also applies the ghost salts to her Naginata. She joins Kort at the next door.
The shadow, though summoned fiercely, does not return.
The party lines up at the next door which is opened without ceremony.
It’s an odd room. A wide stone bowl filled with wood shavings seems to be used as a bed by whatever creature resides in this room, and an empty chamber pot sits nearby.
A tall mirror hangs along the south wall. The chest of drawers contains several outfits of dramatically different sizes - perhaps a shape shifter?
The other drawers contain jars of pickled foods as well as an array of devices and objects to stimulate the senses - everything from vials of spices to a preserved square of shark skin to a lucky rabbit’s foot to silver plated back scratchers with an odd extra joint.
It’s the back scratchers that give you the best idea, combined with the ‘nest’. You suspect this is the residence of the intellect devourer you killed who was driving the dragon.
A little searching reveals a wand of gentle repose (16 charges, cl 5) and collecting the odds and ends which are worth 2,000gp.
Muri and Underfoot bound out of the lab, pass by the nest, before opening the next door across the hall.
Elen stays put, waiting to see what's behind the door.
Kamari heals up and uses a pearl to refresh her memory for the shield spell. She finds the alchemical lab a bit overwhelming and just grabs three anti-toxins; then she downs one right away on general principle.
She finds the nest of the devourer more interesting and pokes around.
Hero Points 1/3
#/# daily uses remaining
Panache 6/6 -
Arcane Pool 3/3
Pearl of Power 1/2
Determination from Armor 1/1
Swordmaster's Flair blue scarf 1/1
Winged boots - 3/3 minutes
Princess's tear brooch - 18/18 HP available
Koriana's blade gemstones
White - Magic missiles 1/1
Pink - Mind-affecting spells 1/1
Black - Negative energy 1/1
Green - Poison 0/1
Prepared Spells
Level 0 (4 per day)
Dancing Lights
Daze
Mage Hand
Prestidigitation
Level 1 (4 per day)
Fallback Strategy - used
Shield
True Strike
Vanish
Elen also heals up.
Kort waits for others to heal, then moves up to the next door to inspect it.
Perception
When others are ready, he will open it.
The untrapped door is opened.
This fetid swampy room has a brittle crust of mucus nearly six inches thick along the floor. As near as you can figure this is, or rather was, the residence of the slime naga. You see nothing of value, though I assume you’re not sifting through the mucus. No magic is detected.
Muri and Underfoot bound pass by the second nest, before opening the next door around the hall. The halfling doesn't wait for Jerry Atrik to check the door for traps.
Muri pops the door to discover two more spidery Karumzek Alchemist hard at work. They are monitoring the progress on an engineered species of slime mold capable of mapping out neural pathways based on nearby creatures’ thoughts.
This laboratory hosts a variety of experiments in chemistry, flesh-grafting, and alchemical botany. Its numerous workbenches can accommodate up to ten researchers, and its shelves hold a wealth of scientific texts and logbooks. The ceiling here is 20’ high, and the two entrances flank a 15’ tall platform.
Atop the perch crouches a clockwork assassin programmed to aid in the defense of this facility and to kill unauthorized individuals who try to smuggle out research data.
There are those who would scoff at the work of clockwork engineers, whose constructs seem at best merely imitations of the creations brought to life by practitioners of the purely arcane arts. However, those canny enough to realize the potential of clockwork engines know their true power to be both exotic and potent. In worlds where clockworks are common, these creatures can rival even the most powerful of golems for raw power. Massive giants comprising countless nuts and bolts have torn entire empires asunder. Time and time again, clockwork creatures have proven themselves a formidable presence in the face of more traditional rivals, and those who have borne witness to the feats of these creatures know to hold their tongues before questioning the constructs’ power.
One question for each five you beat the DC.
- - -
Round 1, Init 22
AC = 25
HP = 104/104
Weapon Equipped = Chaldira's Hand
Condition(s) = Holy Ire on Shadow, -2 Strength
AC = 32
HP = 118/118
Weapon Equipped = Teef
Condition(s) = None
Muri clears the doorway, and lays into the spider he can see. "More spiders, something else too, higher up."