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

Game Master Nathan Goodrich

Ranalus takes a double move towards the control altar, carrying the Steward.

Toshiro follows Ranalus his sword ready.

Otto and Allison also follow the others into the room. Otto will also cast Freedom of Movement on himself (80 minutes duration).

Professor will stay up with Ranalus.

Prfessor is an old man that moves primarily by the effects of illicit substances, thus he has ups and downs.

As Ranalus places the Steward's head on the control dais, the machines in the room whir to life and armored warriors appear to defend the Iron Creche.

Coreleus Initiative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Ograk Initiative: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 4 = 32
Otto Initiative + Heightened Awareness: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 4 = 18
Professor Kaldosian Initiative + Heightened Awareness: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 4 = 25
Allison Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Toshiro Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Ranalus Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Emerald Guardian Intiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Reclaimers Intiative: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

Initiative Order:
[b]Ograk, Coreleus, Professor Kaldosian, Allison, Otto & Ranalus[b]
Emerald Guardians
Toshrio
Reclaimers
Steward

Everyone but Toshiro can act! There is no surprise round this time. Players can assist the Steward in his efforts by making a full-round Knowledge (Arcana) or Disable Device check.

The medium sized minis are Emerald Guardians, similar to the ones you have seen before although they appear to be a newer model. They came out of the smaller coffins. The large sized enemy starting in Allison's squares came out of the larger coffin, is in swarm form and is another set of Reclaimers.

Ranalus activates Feyskinned. "Keep those things off of the Steward, would you?"

Can he cast Bestow Insight on himself? To boost his own Disable Device checks?

I assume Blessing of Fervor has expired?

Otto swings his shillelagh at the emerald guardian in front of him.

+1 club: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
magical B dmg: 3d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 6, 5) + 11 = 28

Meanwhile, Allison attacks the swarm that has appeared upon her. Am I remembering correctly that it can be attacked with weapons? If not, she'll make these attacks against the same emerald guardian as Otto, unless the GM rules that she's not smart enough to do that with the swarm crawling all over her (which is probably what I would rule).

Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
magical B/S dmg: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 6) + 12 = 25

Claw 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26
magical B/S dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 5, 6) + 12 = 25

Claw 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34
magical B/S dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) + 12 = 17

If any of these attacks miss, Allison will spend an immediate action and 1 daily use of Hunter's Tricks to use Second Chance Strike to reroll the attack at a -5:
Second Chance Strike: 1d20 + 17 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 17 - 5 = 14

If any foe that is adjacent to Allison hits an ally with a melee or ranged attack, she'll spend an immediate action and 1 daily use of Hunter's Tricks to use Vengeance Strike to make a single melee attack against that foe:

Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20
magical B/S dmg: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 3, 6, 4) + 12 = 26
Grab, +2 enhancement on bite: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 23 + 2 = 27

Allison roars with displeasure! Worst tasting monsters, ever!

CRIT CONFIRM? +1 club: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
EXTRA CRIT DMG? magical B dmg: 3d6 + 11 ⇒ (5, 2, 2) + 11 = 20

Ograk curses the fate of the large robot, thinking it the most evident threat .

Ograk picks the closest robot and curses its fate.
misfortune DC 24

Edit: Thanks! This is not a great place for mind effecting stuff so far.

Ograk curses the fate of the large robot, thinking it the most evident threat .

misfortune DC 24

I think the large one is a swarm and hence immune.

Ograk curses the fate of the large robot, thinking it the most evident threat .

Ograk picks the closest robot and curses its fate.
misfortune DC 24

Edit: Thanks! This is not a great place for mind effecting stuff so far.

It is not. Given the level's name, it shouldn't be much of a surprise though.

Otto: the component Reclaimers are Tiny size, and so weapon attacks can work on them.

Coreleus spends a lot for an extra attack and will use the blessing of fervor to attack as well and finally will as his action will open fire on the reclaimers

attack 1: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23

attack 2: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

ki attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

fervor attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

attack 3: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

attack 4: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

attack 5: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

damage 1: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 = 13

damage 2: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 1) + 8 = 11

damage ki: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1) + 8 = 13

damage fervor: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 1) + 8 = 12

damage 4: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3) + 8 = 15

damage 5: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 4) + 8 = 14

@Coreleus, I believe Blessing of Fervor has expired by now.

That is my understanding too. Those spells don't last very long & the trap takes a bit of time to get through. Does Coreleus have a swarmbane on? He can deal damage without it, but that is good to know.

no swarmbane here just gravity bow

"You all got this right?"

Disable device: 1d20 + 29 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 29 + (3) = 43

"See I build something list this a few decades back."

The Steward speaks as Professor Kaldosian steps in to help. "Ah, yes. That bypassed a tertiary layer of the Creche's personality mandala. That will be of assistance." - the mechanic here is opaque to the players, but that was a success.

Mechanically, all three of Allison's attacks hit the Reclaimers (without tricks) and she killed the swarm, but since it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to say the massive dinosaur bit the Reclaimers... Allison roars at the huge pile of machines. Her pent up anger from earlier in the level manifests itself fiercely as she lets forth a deafening roar and devours the vast bulk of the Reclaimers, leaving the remainder to skitter away.

Otto smashes the emerald guardian closest to him while Coreleus opens fire on the guardian closest to him. Otto's attack failed to crit. Coreleus's fervor attack didn't occur, as above, but all of his attacks other than attack 5 hit and he destroyed his target.

The remaining emerald guardians attack their enemies. The guardian that Otto attacked returns the favor and attempts to strike him with its longsword and fist, but fails to deal any damage. The final guardian swings its guisarme at Toshiro and cuts into the samurai. Allison lashes back at the emerald guardian but fails to land her attack. Toshiro was hit with an attack result of 30 for 14 damage.

As the battle continues, the room whirs to a higher pitch again and new troops appear to defend the Iron Creche. "The Creche is learning from your attacks. The new defenders will increase in power!" The Steward warns you.

Everyone can act! I've color coded the guardians. None of the enemies are bloodied.

Toshiro: it's completely optional, but if you choose to delay your action until after the Reclaimers, this can all happen faster I think. It might not matter if the Reclaimers always die before they can act though...

Otto swings his club at Red.
+1 club (shillelagh), higher ground: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
magical B dmg: 3d6 + 11 ⇒ (2, 6, 4) + 11 = 23

Allison tries to see if this next wave of Reclaimers tastes any better than the last.
Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20
magical B/S dmg: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 4, 4, 4) + 12 = 30
Grab, +2 enhancement on bite: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 23 + 2 = 29

Claw 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
magical B/S dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 6, 1) + 12 = 21

Claw 2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20
magical B/S dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 2, 2) + 12 = 17

If any of these attacks miss, Allison will spend an immediate action and 1 daily use of Hunter's Tricks to use Second Chance Strike to reroll the attack at a -5:
Second Chance Strike: 1d20 + 17 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 17 - 5 = 21

If any foe that is adjacent to Allison hits an ally with a melee or ranged attack, she'll spend an immediate action and 1 daily use of Hunter's Tricks to use Vengeance Strike to make a single melee attack against that foe:

Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37
magical B/S dmg: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 3) + 12 = 23
POTENTIAL CRIT? Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37
EXTRA CRIT magical B/S dmg: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 4, 5, 4) + 12 = 29

Allison snarfed up the Reclaimers in two attacks. Where is the third going?

Wow, even with the damage halved? And with those lousy rolls? She'll join Otto in attacking Red.

"You are doing well."

Disable device: 1d20 + 29 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 29 + (1) = 37

"This level is a little more tricky."

Ranalus casts Prayer on the party.
"Luck of the Fey be with you."
+1 luck bonus to attacks, damage, saves, skills.
Would be -1 to enemies but it is mind-affecting.

Ograk misfortunes the red robot.

Otto: The text says the damage of slashing/piercing attacks is halved. It doesn't explicitly say that bludgeoning attacks get full damage, but that's how I was reading it (I wouldn't assume that smashing rats would be worse than trying to stab them with a rapier). Since the bite is bludgeoning I'm assuming that does full damage. Also claws are bludgeoning/piercing I guess.

Coreleus spends this round activating his boots of speed as a free action, spends a third ki as a swift action, and fires upon any remaining enemy:

attack 1: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30

attack 2: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27

ki attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30

haste attack 1of10: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

attack 3: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

attack 4: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

attack 5: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

damage 1: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 4) + 9 = 15

damage 2: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 6) + 9 = 20

ki damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 5) + 9 = 18

haste damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 2) + 9 = 12

damage 3: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 = 14

damage 4: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 3) + 9 = 16

damage 5: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (6, 2) + 9 = 17

plus hammer the gap and cluster shot

yes I looked it up after and edited my post thanks

@Coreleus, that is a free action.

Toshiro swings at the one near him.

blue

attack +3 adamantine katana prayer: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27

damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Note: threre are two different effects that are playing around with monster base stats in this encounter. I think I may have messed up on one of them during the last round and some attacks hit when they shouldn't have. I'm fine to let that stand, but I say it here so that if you start missing on low rolls when you expect to hit because of how things went last round, it might just be because you should have missed last round. Sorry.

After Allison greedily gobbles up a second set of Reclaimers, she combines her efforts with Otto on the emerald guardian near them, leaving it badly damaged but still active. Ograk casts his hex on the same construct and its movements become erratic as the curse takes hold. It might be a hassle, but if you could redeclare the save DC that would help me out.

Similarly, if Coreleus could at least post a targeting preference order that would be good. Something like: Reclaimers, green, blue, red would be sufficient. Coreleus's arrows destroy the construct closest to him before he sends his last attack into the one Otto and Allison were fighting, finishing it off.

Toshiro's first cut slices deeply into the automaton he is battling, but his second attack fails to land cleanly. His opponent drops its guisarme and readies its longsword, but fails to hit him with its attack.

"Excellent work, Professor!" exclaims the Steward as it continues its work on the Iron Creche. "If you could handle the third security layer next? It is proving to be resilient."

The construct tombs whir ferociously as they continue to produce reinforcements for the Iron Creche. The Reclaimers, red and green all get new models for you to kill.

Everyone can act!

"The Creche is learning from your attacks. The new defenders will increase in power!"

"If that is the case, then destroying them seems pointless. Just stall them while we work!"

Ranalus uses Alien Mind as an immediate action, then casts Shadow Conjuration of Spiked Pit where Green is.

It is a DC 22 Will save to disbelieve, but constructs are not immune (it is not mind-affecting).

If the Will save is failed, it is a DC 22 Reflex save to jump to the nearest empty space. Otherwise fall 40' (4d6 falling damage plus 2d6 spike damage).

If the save is made... 20% chance to fall in? Or fall 20% as far?

"Thrid layer, here we go."

Disable device: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (17) + 29 = 46

[

concentrate fire on that super star destroyer... Oh wait... Red first then reclaimers, then green if it makes the save

attack 1: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31

attack 2: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

attack 3: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

attack 4: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

attack 5: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

damage 1: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 4) + 9 = 14

damage 2: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 4) + 9 = 15

damage 3: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 2) + 9 = 15

damage 4: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 3) + 9 = 13

damage 5: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 3) + 9 = 17

Ograk readies to misfortune any that attacks him or any ally, seeing the endless coming waves until the repairs are completed.

Toshiro swings at the one near him again.

attack +3 adamantine katana prayer: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

@Toshiro, you might want to Challenge, as we have reason to believe this is the last thing to do (fixing the Creche) and do you have 3/day.

Otto once again attacks the Red guardian.

+1 club (shillelagh), higher ground: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
magical B dmg: 3d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 1, 5) + 11 = 18

Allison meanwhile attacks the swarm of Reclaimers again.

Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
magical B/S dmg: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 5, 1, 1) + 12 = 25
Grab, +2 enhancement on bite: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 23 + 2 = 26

Claw 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19
magical B/S dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) + 12 = 24

Claw 2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32
magical B/S dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 6, 6) + 12 = 30

If any of these attacks miss, Allison will spend an immediate action and 1 daily use of Hunter's Tricks to use Second Chance Strike to reroll the attack at a -5:
Second Chance Strike: 1d20 + 17 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 17 - 5 = 21

If any foe that is adjacent to Allison hits an ally with a melee or ranged attack, she'll spend an immediate action and 1 daily use of Hunter's Tricks to use Vengeance Strike to make a single melee attack against that foe:

Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
magical B/S dmg: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 6, 6, 6) + 12 = 34
Grab, +2 enhancement on bite: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 23 + 2 = 44

The emerald guardian falls prey to Ranalus's spell, believing that a pit opened up beneath it. The construct proves its advanced construction matters as it nimbly leaps out of the way and continues to fight. It didn't need a natural 20, but it got one.

"Yes! Excellent!" the Steward exclaims as it continues to work to subvert the Iron Creche. "We have accessed the operational lattice for routine functions. Hm...these things do not come with a guidebook do they? If your friends can keep those Reclaimers at bay, we shall make this work yet!"

Coreleus's arrows turn his target construct into a pile of sparking scrap while Toshiro continues to battle with the emerald guardian he has been fighting, slicing into it deeply twice in a row. It's electrical heart sparks wildly. Toshiro takes 1 electricity damage unless he passes a DC 14 Reflex Save.

With his opponent already destroyed, Otto turns his attacks onto the Reclaimers, but isn't able to hit them with Allison in the way. Allison busily gorges herself on the tiny machines again however, and devours the bulk of the swarm as the remainder disperse.

Despite the battered condition of its power core, the emerald guardian fighting Toshiro swings at the samurai, attacking him with its sword and fist. As it does so, Ograk's curse sinks in, causing its systems to react wildly and throw off its swing.

The automaton that evaded Ranalus's spell swings its guisarme at Allison but isn't able to connect as the massive dinosaur thrashes around in its space.

Everyone can act! The blue guardian is bloodied.

Is Blue the only target left? If so, Otto can't reach but Allison will continue the same array of attacks:

Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
magical B/S dmg: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (3, 6, 6, 6) + 12 = 33
Grab, +2 enhancement on bite: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 23 + 2 = 43

Claw 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
magical B/S dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (3, 3, 3) + 12 = 21

Claw 2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34
magical B/S dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 2, 2) + 12 = 20

The dinosaur roars with frustration at how poor the meals are on this level of the Spire.

Ranalus casts Communal Resist Energy (Electricity) on the party. Wisps of darkness from his holy symbol take the shape of black lightning bolts wrapping around the Pathfinders.

Resist Electricity 20.

Did this just before the previous room so it should still be active.

Toshiro nods and challenges the creature and swings.

Perhaps this will end it

attack prayer: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28

damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25

attack prayer: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

Ograk smiles at his rather prepared allies and simply prepares the same old misfortune.

Otto: that's my fault. All the defeated enemies were replaced again. I didn't say so though.

Ranalus starts using his SNA IV SLA from Feysworn. I think this has a 1-round casting time just like the spell.

Otto may still want to act since there are more enemies than it looks like they were thinking. I also need Coreleus and Professor Kaldosian.

What are you summoning, Ranalus?

Summoning 1d4+1 Fauns. He gets various fey options from his PrC. The goal is to obstruct and delay the automatons rather than destroying them (since that just leads to tougher ones being built). Hoping to have the Fauns all try to Bull Rush an automaton into the pit.

I could see up to three of them assisting that based on its position. We'll see on your next turn!

Otto also swings at the nearest automaton.

+1 club (shillelagh), higher ground: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
magical B dmg: 3d6 + 11 ⇒ (2, 6, 4) + 11 = 23

"We have to go deeper."

Disable device: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (10) + 29 = 39

Coreleus will ready an action to fire upon any enemy if they attack the the steward.

Allison gorges herself on most of the Reclaimers and smashes many of the rest to bits. Second attack missed, but she's still got them.

Toshiro achieves victory over the automaton he is battling as he slices through its torso and watches as its power core flickers into inactivity.

As Ranalus begins summoning aid from the First World, Otto bludgeons the automaton near him, but notes that his foe is considerably more proficient than the earlier models. The Steward's warning about their rising power is well taken. No additional damage reduction, but their AC is going up, among other things.

The automaton that Otto is fighting strikes back at him, but Ograk's hex takes hold and its swing goes wide of the druid.

The automaton on the other side of the room strikes at Allison, trying to stop the dinosaur from devouring another batch of Reclaimers, but fails to penetrate her thick hide. The emerald guardians seem frenzied now in their efforts to reach the Steward, but the Pathfinders have effectively blocked off their lines of attack.

The manufacturing coffins continue to hum relentlessly as more Reclaimers and another emerald guardian join the fight.

"We are accessing core functions now," the Steward says, seeming less excited and more focused as it works at its task. "I can begin integrating my personality matrix with the Iron Creche. Please continue your assistance. For the Patrons!"

All enemies are still around. Everyone can act!

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
"They would stop getting stronger if instead of destroying them you just inconvenienced and delayed them," the cleric notes.

Five satyr-like beings appear.

Ranalus takes a try at helping with the Creche.
Disable Device, Prayer: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27

Just run out the clock, like an old Jarl waiting for one of his sons to slay a linnorom, and then him... Ograk muses as he readies another hex to help ward his allies.