[SFS/Shifty] #2:15 Infernal Gallery (C) (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Darakwinn ties herself off so that she won't float off into the Drift.

She goes to examine the texts. She doesn't have any of the skills necessary to collect them so she also takes several pictures, trying to coordinate with Kippi to get them from different angles.

Would Profession: archaeologist do to collect the books?

Profession (archaeologis): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Ryu shows he has just the right skills for a situation like this, and rather smoothly gathers the manuscripts without damaging them - after everyone is done gathering digital imagery as a back-up.

Nice time to bust out that skill!

"Wow Ryu! You're like an expert at this! Where did you learn how to do that?" As Kippi asks the question, she floats cautiously eastward and continues taking any remaining pictures.

What's up with the two statues? I noticed you didn't describe them when we entered the gallery room. Are they just a map artifact?

She studiously ignores the creepy toy room, hoping someone else will volunteer to go first.

If someone suggests that she go first though, she'll jump on it to prove how brave she is.

Kippi pushes out of the library and into the gallery.

A pair of filthy stone statues rise up out of the deep mud that fills this ruined art gallery. A soggy velvet bench sits forlornly between them, tangled with heaps of swamp plants, and five paintings hang askew on the walls. Jagged shards of wood, crumbling tiles, stone limbs, and the tattered remains of eviscerated paintings float in the Drift, which has overtaken the north end of the hall and the ceiling.

What would you like to examine...?

Ryu smiles at Kippi. "It's actually my job. I'm a history-finder. Starfinding is just my hobby."

Zapp joins the floating crew. He pushes off unsteadily from the cage, past Kippi, and, against his better judgement, into the toy room. The spear is gripped as best he can in this strange environment. He also tries to sweep the room as he enters, something he was never good at.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"That was, pretty impressive," Darakwinn says as Ryu gathers everything up and places it into the otherdimensional space.

She heads into the gallery, going up to one of the statues to examine it.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Mysticism (if applicable): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Oops, I messed up and thought that the gallery and library were the same thing.

Realizing that she had totally flown right past the gallery, Kippi wheels around to take a look at all the art. She avoids heading into the toy room, at least for now.

While Darakwinn examines the statues, Kippi looks at the five paintings to see if there are any more of that odd vesk.
Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The statues are each cut from a single piece of heavy stone and stand six feet tall. One depicts an ysoki in a triumphant pose, and the other depicts a graceful elf looking very solemn.

Although both statues appear dirty, upon closer inspection it’s clear the statues weep a thick red substance from their eyes.

***

Painting 1: A beautiful, androgynous human dancer adorned with sashes.

***

Painting 2: A portrait of a smiling, athletic shirren cradling a crystalline ball in their arms.

***

Painting 3: A serene pastel landscape of rolling meadows beneath a yellow sky.

***

Painting 4: An augmented holo-painting of skittermanders on parade.

***

Painting 5: A happy kasatha family sits around a table piled high with delicious looking food.

Darakwinn frowns as she examines the picture before her. Then she frowns a little more and leans closer for a better look. After a few seconds with a brow furrowed with confusions, she recoils back, looking at the others.

"Kippi, can you get the portrait...I mean, the picture of the cute baby vesk out of the null space? I've a feeling it came from here and I'm curious what will happen if it's returned," she says.

Life Science vs. statues: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

"Righty, can-do!" Kippi taps the controls for the null-space chamber and directs it to eject the baby vesk painting, which she delivers into Darakwinn's waiting hands. Once the dwarf has the mysterious painting securely in hand, Kippi floats over to look at the strange holo-painting with a flock of skittermanders. She spends a moment wiggling her antennae at the painting...

Life Science vs. pursuer in painting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"Wow, that's a little creepy! There's something chasing all the nice little skitterbees in this."

Zapp pulls back on his tether a little to create some distance from the pictures.

"Does anyone else see their likeness in these? I can't fault an artist for finding inspiration in my face, but...in this one, the shirren seems to have decapitated me! And look here, we're all in this one. Being force-fed by some awful creature I can't quite make out." He glances nervously over his shoulder.

The portrait of the Vesk is pulled out, it looks like it would fit right in with the rest of the art in the gallery, but nothing particular happens.

Kippi knows the creature that only Kippi can see is a Stridermander.

"Clearly there is something strange going on with these pictures. I thought this one might do something strange, too but I don't see anything," Darakwinn says, examining the portrait they brought.

"What do you think? Should we gather the others? I'd say 'yes' but we might be bringing unknown dangers back with us. They may be portals, for all we know," she continues, putting the portrait that brought them here back into the null space.

Decisions decisions

"No. Nothing like me or anyone here for that matter."

"Yeah. That painting must have come from here, though. There is some freaky stuff going on here. Let's take them all."

Kippi holds the null-space open for Darakwinn to return the baby vesk portrait, and bobs excitedly at the suggestion. "Oooh, lets definitely take everything back then! Over here the whole house and swamp's going to disintegrate, and then who knows where the creepy paintings end up. This way we know where they are and they can be kept in one of the Lorespire Vaults."

"Then, hundreds of years later, they can accidentally release them and curse everyone... or something else crazy like that!" She floats around the room, picking up paintings and stuffing them carefully into the null space.

Any chance we can fit the statues in as well?

The portraits go in pretty easily - the statues could go in, with a fair amount of muscle...

Its a DC19 check - Unfortunately this party is collectively low str (10/10/12/14) but I figure if you guys were determined and set on doing it you could eventually muscle them in[ooc]

After a lot of wrestling, the statues are eventually collected too.

***

Zapp looks into the room adjacent.

This crowded room is packed full of children’s toys from throughout the galaxy and time. Most are dolls of all sorts— porcelain figures, marionettes, and puppets sit alongside action figures, fashion dolls, and soft stuffed animals. Only two walls and a precariously tilted floor have not yet floated away into the Drift.

As Tsultro moves forward all the toys turn and look at him with their artificial eyes. A strange tune fills the air and then there is an explosion as several toys come to life...

[ooc]These are size TINY

R1
Zapp!
ENEMY

Besides helping load up the paintings, Zapp tries his best to put them out of mind. "It's just begging for life to imitate art. I have half a mind to torch them."

He then immediately regrets looking into the next room, letting out a yelp. "Stay away, nightmares!" From his best try at a zero-g cowering position, he fires at the middle toy.

Using Not in the Face on Orange. DC 14 Will save (sense-dependent) or it takes a -4 to attacks against me.

Azimuth Laser vs. Orange: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Zapp manages to shoot the creepy marionette!

The army of toys goes after Zapp!

Will 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13
The marionette doll waits to lash out...
Readied!

The toy soldier fires a laser!
Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 vs EAC
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 2

Meanwhile the evil looking stuffed rabbit jumps in and seems to have a lot of reach for a small rabbit (5')
Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 vs EAC
Damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

R1 Cotd
Ryu
Kippi
Dara

R2
Zapp
ENEMY

R
O 4
Y

Ryu takes a shot at red then moves behind Zapp.

Ghibrani Huchket Rifle: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Damage: 2d10 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

"This is why I didn't want to go into that room!" Darakwinn declares.

She grabs her connection to the holy realm of Anggradd and once more requisitions one of his myriad troops.

But like all bureaucracies, it takes a little time.

Beginning to cast Summon Creature 1.

Dara begins summoninig.

Meanwhile Ryu blows a huge chunk of stuffing out of the rabbit.

R1 Cotd
Ryu - attacked
Kippi
Dara - summoning

R2
Zapp
ENEMY

R 8
O 4
Y

Kippi zips up into the air, her wings once more taking the rippling orange hue of the interior of a sun. From near the ceiling she touches a foreleg to her forehead. "Creepy toys? You're definitely not getting put in the null space!" She focuses and sends a thin beam of light at the rabbit in front.

(Attuning Photon@1)

Solar Flare vs. EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Solar Flare damage, photon mode (F) (force effect): 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Zapp's continued cowering proves an effective cover as he tries poking the rabbit with the silver spear.

Using Not in the Face again.

Spear vs. Red: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Kippi zaps the rabbit... but zapp doesn't manage to poke it.

Will 1d20 ⇒ 6 The rabbit ponders attacking Zapp, but doesn't. It hops back.

The marionette moves in and tries lashing Zapp around the rabbit! Razor sharp wires reach out...

Attack 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 4 = 5

Meanwhile the soldier fires again!

Attack 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 4 = 7 vs EAC

Zapp avoids it all!

R2 Cotd
Ryu
Kippi
Dara

R3
Zapp
ENEMY

R 11
O 4
Y

With Zapp tanking, Ryu tosses a grenade at the toys.

Frag Grenade DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

3d20 ⇒ (15, 8, 14) = 37

The grenade rolls into the room and the small honeycomb of explosive sends a destructive wave of small ball bearings ripping through the room, perforating a significant number of toys!

The Rabbit falls over.
The Marionette gets ripped a massive hole
The soldier saw it coming and dodged the worst of it!

R Dead
O 10
Y 3

Before he can think twice, Zapp enters the room to close the distance. "This is the end for you!"

As soon as he has reached his destination, he shrinks back in preparation for an attack. "Wait, wait, there's still time for negotiation!"

Not in the face on Orange.

Darakwinn's communion with the military realm of Anggradd completes. Mud oozes up through the floorboards of the house, rapidly congealing into a humanoid mass with a distinctly military air. It salutes her then lays into the bunny.

Slam vs. KAC plus Earth Mastery: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 = 23

Blunt plus Earth Mastery: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

He's tiny so he shares the space with the bunny.

Darakwinn salutes back then draws the static arc pistol she discovered on this place and takes a shot at the bunny.

Static Arc Pistol vs. EAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Electricity: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Everyone hating on the bunny - but the bunny already got the stuffing knocked out
***
The soldier is the one who gets a round of beatings.

The elemental soldier punches the toy soldier, and Darakwinn zaps it.

Meanwhile Zapp plays the possum game again.
1d20 ⇒ 12
Which fools the thing again!

The marionette steps back into cover from most of the party and then smashes at the elemental
Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The soldier steps back and shoots it
Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

R3 Cotd
Ryu
Kippi
Dara

R4
Zapp
ENEMY

R Dead
O 10
Y 12

Ryu goes into the room (possibly taking an AoO in the process) and fires at the soldier.

Ghibrani Huchket Rifle: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7

That blow from the marionette is enough to smash the tiny elemental spirit back into it's component mud, leaving it just a stain on the floor.

Darakwinn makes a mental note to requisition tougher soldiers next time as she heads to the threshold, leans around the corner and takes a shot at the creepy puppet.

Static Arc Pistol vs. EAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Electricity: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Kippi swoops over to get a better view of the room and its remaining creepy toys. She floats up after the doorway and from her elevated perch she's able to turn her wings towards the soldier toy. Another thin beam flashes at the soldier!

Photon @2

Solar Flare vs. EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Solar Flare damage, photon mode (F) (force effect): 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Zapp keeps with his theory that pity is a better defense than heavy armor. While his target debates whether to hit him, he strikes back.

On Orange again. This is proving more effective than I thought!

Spear vs. Orange: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

The toys simply get rolled over by the party!

Combat over

You now stand in a room for of toys - some of which may or may not be possessed by evil spirits.

DC 17 Culture, Perception, or applicable Profession check (such as auctioneer, puppeteer, or toymaker)

Zapp is unsure of what these toys are and where they came from. He's just happy to see them defeated. "Good work, everyone."

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Darakwinn is more than a little relieved when the toys are made inert again. She never did like inanimate things with semi-life like faces, always preferring to play with toy soldiers, space ships, construction vehicles and the like when she was a child.

But with the most dangerous ones out of the way, she looks around for any that might be suitable for taking back to Absalom Station.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Ryu also looks over the toys to insure that they are safe and suitable to bring back to the Lorespire Complex.

Culture: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Ryu notes some of the dolls and toys are valuable works of art and is able to pinpoint some classic gems which are safe to handle (and straight into the chamber!)

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Kippi settles onto Darakwinn's head and allows the glow of her wings to fade. "Not as bad as I thought. I was expecting all the toys to swirl all together and make a big evil demon... or was that devil? Which one has to do with hell again?" While she's pondering this, Ryu manages to identify everything valuable. She stuffs the identified items into the null space.

"So, those were everything, right? Mister Iffelby, do you want to go into the nullspace too? We'll bring you back to Absalom Station so the smart people there can ask you about your hell experience. You'll be super definitely ultra famous!"

"Thanks for the offer of a safe haven in your bag, but if something awfu happens as you escape I might be stuck in that bag for the rest of eternity as it lies in a swamp or something - I'll take my chances flying along with you - and spreading my wings will be a joy"

***

There is nothing left to explore, and you appear to have grabbed all the noteworthy items in the place.

Final actions before wrap?

"Could have been worse," Darakwinn comments, raising her eyes and her head to try to see Kippi.

"You're welcome to come along Iffleby. Now that we know the way, it should be relatively safe getting back to the ship and home from there."

She's careful not to touch anything else on the way out.

"Should we blow this place up once we get on the ship or just let the Drift do the job for us in it's own time?"

This place is fascinating. A marvel. Dangerous and creepy, but fascinating."

"Gross AND creepy! Really everything you expect hell to be." Kippi flies along with Iffelby as the group starts leaving. "Not sure if we solved the mystery of why our painting was here, but we nabbed some neat shiny excellent stuff, so mission probably accomplished!"

"Not sure if shooting this place is a great idea, buuuut, it would be kinda neat to see all the goopy swamp water flying everywhere!"

You could blow things up, or just leave what is left to tip into the void as the chunk of swamp inevitably breaks up

You all go dashing back out of the house and as you pass the mural The Duke is no longer there

***

You get back to the ship and Iffelby squeals with delight "I was blessed by your arrival, and true to your word you have a means to escape!"

***
You board your starship and leave the Drift Bog behind, flying back to Absalom Station.

Throughout the journey you hear child-like giggling, sudden inexplicable screams, and footsteps down an otherwise empty corridor, and you occasionally have a nagging feeling that you’re being watched. Two days later the strange phenomenon ceases.

***

You finally touch down at Absalom station and start unpacking, Iffelby cuts in "Thanks for everything friends, I'll be off. Time to make my way home"

Zapp is all for hastening the destruction of the swamp with the ship's lasers. "It'll be worth it. Do we want to hand over the satisfaction of victory to a Drift storm?"

He shuts himself in for an uncharacteristic amount of time as the hallucinations set in. But afterwards, he returns to his normal talkative self. "I don't know if Captain Arvin will be pleased about this. At least we found some old stuff, that should tide him over. I'll do the talking there, he knows me."

We brought something terrible back with us, didn't we?