GM Netherpongo's Emerald Spire (The Automaton Forge) (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Goodrich

"Anarchic?!? How distasteful. I'm sure you'll all agree that we should probably destroy this. Who would like to carry it until we have such an opportunity? I certainly won't," Otto shudders.

Otto hands the greatsword to whichever of his companions might have use of it before checking to make sure he hasn't missed anything else in the pool.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Ranalus looks amused. Some parts of the world could use a bit more anarchy.
"It's a bit unwieldy. But I think we should return it to the Lodge so that other Pathfinders can use it. Gorumites, for example. We will be compensated for our efforts."

The weight would be a problem for Ranalus, so he can pick it up on the way out.

I guess Otto should have been taking a negative level ever since he picked up the sword. I don't think it was important at any point & now that he doesn't have it, it doesn't matter.

Otto searches around at the bottom of the pool for a while more before another shiny object catches his eye. He comes up this time with a ring that has also weathered its time in the corrosive pool.

Yes, the grand lodge is usually happy to compensate us for all sorts of random stuff. It pays to be a member of the society. That must be some ring to have survived the pool for such a period of time.

Ograk begins to detect magic on it.

Take 10 for a 26 spellcraft

The ring is magical, but perhaps disappointing, as Ograk determines that it is a Ring of Protection +1.

If no one else wants it, Otto will take it. He has no rings or deflection bonus at present.

"If it will help you please take it. regrettably, I have one already."

Professor will go up and peek into the next room.

A pool of glowing green liquid that smells like rotting flesh dominates this massive chamber. Long, metallic tentacles writhe around the edge of the pool, like snakes searching for prey. Across the room next to the southeast door, you see a large pile of junk.

Making an assumption about Professor Kaldosian's actions in the interest of time. The locate DC for the trap here is 10...

Professor Kaldosian notices the really obvious trap laid with the tentacles and after taking a few moments, he disables the magical sensors that would allow the tentacles to sense their prey. The tentacles continues to write but should prove ineffective.

Coreleus stands back and observes for any threats while the group searches and then prepares to move when the group is ready wand in his tail and bow at the ready.

"Are we ready to go to another room?"

Otto takes a look around to make sure they have not missed anything before moving on.

Detect Magic & Detect Poison.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

Professor comes back.

"Dealt with a trap in the next room. Tentacles, they are writing."

Otto's examination of the room fails to turn up anything new.

tentacles... What is it with tentacles. Every other adventure lately... Coreleus mutters as he does his best to avoid those

"These ones are mechanical and can write does that make it better or worse? Would you all like to move forward?"

Yes please! Ograk responds gratefully.

I am pretty sure from the context that the tentacles are writhing, not writing. If they were writing then we would want to know what they were writing.

Ranalus nods. "Ready to proceed."

Looking back you are likely right but I came across writing tentacles a month ago in mod and they were in my head.

"Sorry, writhing. I miss spoke. Though that would be significantly more interesting."

Toshiro grips his sword.

"I am ready"

I'll post more about the room after I get off work. In the meantime can someone move up the minis?

I moved all the minis.

As you move into the green pool room, the junk pile on the far side of the room rises up to attack!

Toshiro Initiative: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Professor Kaldosian Initiative: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Ranalus Initiative: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Ograk Initiative: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Coreleus Initiative: 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Otto Initiative: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Allison Initiative: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Reclaimers Initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

Initiative Order:
Toshrio, Professor Kaldosian, Ranalus, Ograk, Coreleus
Reclaimers
Otto & Allison

I didn't have time to verify castings of Heightened Awareness. Otto can probably act before the Reclaimers as well. These guys look just like the critter you saw on the other side of the door earlier.

From the back Coreleus taps himself with his wand

umd: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Ranalus will activate Feyskinned again, not seeing a need for any spells at this time.

More metal men... this one will have the same bad luck! Ograk hexes it as he misfortunes the Reclaimers DC 24 will save, or roll twice and take the lower for 2 rounds

He then flies 15 feet into the air, heading up above the Samurai.

Toshiro moves up and slashes once.

"Metal fiend!"

attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Professor runs up and frowns nearly imperceptibly before attacking. Then frown much more expressively.

Attack: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (1) + 28 = 29 Mutatgen, Study, Heroism, Rage
Damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

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If attacked and he can both Parry and Riposte.

Attack: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (5) + 28 = 33 Mutatgen, Study, Heroism, Rage
Attack: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (9) + 28 = 37 Mutatgen, Study, Heroism, Rage
Damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Some of the Reclaimers seem to jitter and spark as Ograk's hex takes hold. Toshiro and Professor Kaldosian both move and and destroy several of the Reclaimers although their attacks are stymied somewhat since there are just so many. Undaunted, the Reclaimers swarm over Professor Kaldosian and Toshiro, tearing their skin to pieces with tiny claws and mandibles.

Which provokes. I'll take Professor Kaldosian's first Riposte attack roll as a hit. Toshiro can take an opportunity attack. I'm pretty sure it won't put them down though, so we'll move on.

Professor Kaldosian takes 7 swarm damage and Toshiro takes 6. Both need to make a Fortitude save vs disease. Oddly, I don't see distraction as part of the creature's statblock so we'll ignore that.

Actually, now that I think about it...can a swarm even be targeted by hexes?

Everyone can act!

Generally, I believe you cannot target a swarm with something that affects a limited number of targets - like Hex, Challenge, Magic Missile, or Slow.

Ranalus delays. He could move up and attack, but although his Feyskinned protection would keep him safe, he isn't sure about the Steward head he is carrying.
"Would the Reclaimer in swarm form be able to hurt you, Steward?"

I indeed cannot hex a swarm, I didn’t realize it was in swarm form

I neglected to mention that it was a swarm I guess. It can be either. I've been forgetting about the Steward...

If a robot could gibber helplessly in terror, you would be sure that the Steward would be doing so. The Reclaimers seem custom made to disassemble him for spare parts.

Toshiro tries to attack the swarm.

"Bah...I don't know if my blade works"

adamantine katana: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24

damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

iterative

adamantine katana: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Professor clicks his boots (haste) and unleashed a flurry of attack slaming the knuckle guard into the swarm over and over (Weapon Versatility).

Attack: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (9) + 29 = 38 Mutatgen, Study, Heroism, Rage
Damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Attack: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (2) + 29 = 31 Mutatgen, Study, Heroism, Rage
Damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

Attack: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39 Mutatgen, Study, Heroism, Rage
Damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

Wasted crit.

OK I'm not even doing the math on that much damage.

Once again the Pathfinders chase away the Reclaimers. As the room quiets down, you become aware of a high-pitched whine coming from the Steward as his mechanical eyes dart about for any sign of his terrible nemesis. Slowly, the whine subsides as they fail to make an appearance.

To save time, there's nothing more here. Professor Kaldosian is easily able to determine that this pool of acid specifically dissolves flesh.

First person to pick a direction to go wins!

"Rest easy, Steward. I am swift and my eyes are keen. And as you can see I have no burning need to be in the thick of battle. I will keep you as safe as I am able."

The half-elf is rather inscrutable, though he seems vaguely entertained by this exploration. He lets his Feyskinned protection expire for the time being. There is a slight breeze as the grace of the First World leaves him.

No preference on direction, just a bit of RP.

I am glad that we are safe. Well done. I didn't even have time to draw an arrow. Coreleus smiles as he holds his wand yet in his tail and waits bow ready to defend his friends

"If anyone wants to walk upfront I happy to share the action by bone are getting sore in my old age."

I'm willing to pull Professor back if others want to get into the mix.

Your bones may be old, but I’ve only ever done damage outside of combat.

Ograk just debuffs and heals, I think Toshiro is our only frontliner, and you’re our trapsporter

Professor Kaldosian and Toshiro. The swarm tagged you, so make sure you record the damage. Also I need Fortitude saves vs disease from you.

Still need a direction of travel from someone.

"How about this south-center passage?"
Ranalus moves as indicated on the map and uses Door Sight again.

Ranalus can heal if needed, though it wasn't that much damage and I think we have healing more than covered.

Ograk takes 10 damage. The imbue with hex life link from Maka to Ograk transfers the damage over to Maka, who heals it over the course of one minute via fast healing. You each have 1 and 2 damage remaining.

Approaching the door, Ranalus finds that it is very hot. There's no listed damage for touching the door, but since Door Sight takes 1 minute to use, I'll say that there will be some amount of damage unless you take protective measures. Endure Elements is probably sufficient for this.

Ranalus cast Resist Fire on himself before touching the flaming ooze for Plane Shift.

Professor had Temp hp.

Fort: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

if the door is safe I can open it as I have a natural resistance to fire Coreleus says fingers at the ready just in case.

Ranalus: I forgot about your earlier Resist Energy. You are good to go then.

Molten metal covers the floor of this chamber. A pillar of flame at the back of the chamber pierces the smoky air. From his safe vantage point, Ranalus also sees a rather large fire elemental pacing about in the furnace.

Ranalus relates what he sees.
"Between my Fey protection and my fire resistance, I can make myself virtually immune to that creature. Maybe I could have some luck talking to it. But I do not speak Ignan. I could draw its attention at least.
I will play whatever part is requested of me."

I can cast tongues, if you think it’ll listen...

I shall be ready to shoot it if I must

ready action to activate umd wand of gravity bow if any member of the party is attacked

Ranalus considers again.
We have the whole map revealed by the Steward?

"Actually, I don't think we need to go in there. We can just avoid the creature. There are no Reclaimers in there, that isn't the Iron Creche, and there is another way to get to the room on the other side."

Ranalus checks the Southwest door for traps (Take 10 for a 39), then looks through it with Door Sight (now 3 uses left).

You have the whole map revealed for three reasons:
1. There isn't a lot to hide on this map.
2. The Steward could describe the area to you, or be a guide.
3. I put a lot of work into map management during the last floor & your GM is being lazy.