GM Kate's The Slithering (closed) (Inactive)

Game Master Kate Baker

Shinies! Yuturr says, handing the cache over to Zarke.

Zarke replaces much of the space made by his used medical supplies with the alchemical reagents, making sure everybody has an elixir of life.

Somebody with a nonbludgeoning weapon should take the poison and I vote acid resist for the witch.

Jack has a lesser healing potion, so it's okay if one of those 4 potions goes elsewhere. But I'll take the acid resistance potion. Also... wWho you calling a witch??

With the items getting divvied out, Jack nods in thanks when given the lesser potion of acid resistance. He opens up his mouth and plops the stoppered vial into his mouth. The musician cocks his head to one side, then shakes it slightly. After a few seconds he stops, seeming satisfied. "There. Tucked away for an acid-rainy day."

Ready to move on?

Yep!

Two large sheets of metal are affixed to the stone walls to the west and east, but both are a speckled black in color, as though reflecting the empty void of a moonless night. A double door leads north, and an opening to the southwest reveals stairs leading up.

Another technician works in here, with two more dwarven guards at the ready. You easily fend them off!

The Aspis technician was consulting an esoteric tome written by a logically bereft mathematician titled “Folding Space to Touch the Void.” The book is a rare first edition worth 700 gp.

In addition, the crates of equipment contain a lesser sturdy shield and a murderer’s knot.

Yuturr's eyebrows raise at the marking of the first print, carefully tucking the collectible away.

Asta moves to investigate the metal sheets, trying to determine what the technician was attempting.

The technician was building a trap in this room. Asta figures out that she was envisioning something like a bottomless pit hazard that hurls intruders sideways through the mirrors to tumble endlessly in the chill of deep space, looping back around through the other mirror and thus falling sideways forever. The calculations are very tricky, however, and the trap isn’t complete; the mirrors simply reflect deep space for the next few minutes.

"These Aspis agents seem obsessed with the esoteric. Why not a simple bomb trap or a spear thrower? Or even an arcane trap? Why go to the trouble to set up such a strange device?"

Zarke shrugs "Just glad to not be sideways falling forever..."

Moving along, the stone of this long staircase is well-worn, as are its stone handrails. You remember there being a trap on the stairs before, but it is not currently set.

"Ready for a fight? I'm willing to bet there's a fight waiting for us at the top of these stairs."

Jack holds the rod of wonder, ready to bring a surprise of his own if he can.

[Ready.

Zarke will cast Fire Shield just before getting to the top.

"Ready."

Ready, let's.

You carefully head up the stairs, with Zarke casting a shield of fire.

A table stands in an alcove to the south of this oddly shaped landing. The floor bears bearing recent scorch marks and pitting that resemble the effects of droplets of acid.

You soon see the source! A mechanical creature with a brain in a jar in leaking fluids on the floor as it moves around. The eyeballs swivel around to look at you!

The creature moves out of its alcove to block the door. It fills two vials from its alchemical chambers, lobbing them at you!

bomb 1 type: 1d6 ⇒ 3
bombs away: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21

The first is a bottled lightning at Fuchsia that just rolls onto the floor.

bomb 2 type: 1d6 ⇒ 3
bombs away: 1d20 + 20 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 20 - 5 = 27
zap!: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 2) = 11 plus 3 splash

The second is a bottled lightning at Yuturr that hits! the lightning splashes onto everyone else except Meg. Yuturr is flat-footed until the start of its next turn.

Initiative
Creature!
Fuchsia, -3 hp
Asta, -3 hp
Jack, -3 hp
Yuturr, -14 hp, flat-footed
Zarke, -3 hp

Arcana to Recall Knowledge (Known Weakness): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 +1 circ bonus if that's a crit.
Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Asta, spotting a weak point in one of the creature's joints, steps forward and attacks!

+1 striking ghost touch sword cane (DaS): 17 + 16 = 33
P damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6
Strategic Strike: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

◆DaS, ◆Stride, ◆Strike

Not what he expected to see, and annoyed by the door being blocked Zarke opens with a ray of frost.

ray: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
cold damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 2) + 4 = 13

Zarke also hops off as he backs T'gon'l down the stairs so they have more room to manueveer.

We can't fight cramped in here!

Fuchsia ducks and dives, trying to find an opening. Finally, on her third attempt, she does.

Tumble: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25
Tumble: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27
Tumble: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30

Come get me!

If 27 makes it I will parry.

Asta recognizes an alchemical golem! Asta knows that it is immune to most magic. It is harmed by sonic, healed by acid, and slowed by cold. It also has resistance to physical damage, as Asta sees when his hit only chips at the creature.

You will get some different information with a Crafting check to Recall Knowledge.

Zarke hits with a ray of frost that does no damage but does slow it down!

Fuchsia manages to tumble past it.

Initiative
Alchemical Golem, -2 hp, slowed
Fuchsia, -3 hp
Asta, -3 hp
Jack, -3 hp
Yuturr, -14 hp, flat-footed
Zarke, -3 hp

Yuturr's reaction to the bottled lighting is memorable.

He tries to shake it off, but the electricity continues to course about him, throwing him off his game. He tries to use his Skirmish Strike on the construct, knowing that physical damage isn't his best shot but lacking better options.

Skirmish Strike vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 8

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 16 - 4 = 31
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5) + 2 = 12
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 8

He then whips up a disk of force; it, too, crackles with electrical energy.

Skirmish Strike, Strike, verbal component for shield.

Action 1-3: Summon Plant or Fungus

Jack digs deep within the wellspring of his fey connection, invoking magic and calling for aid. Moments later an anthropomorphic sunflower sprouts from out of nowhere behind the golem! The musician says but two words. "Hit it!"
Summon Plant or Fungus (2nd), calling up a Sunflower Leshy. AC 16, 20hp

Fortunately, it complies.
Strike vs Golem (Flat-footed): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage (B): 1d8 ⇒ 4
Strike vs Golem (Flat-footed): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Damage (B): 1d8 ⇒ 3

I'll assume that Yuturr waited for Jack to bring in the flanking partner!

Jack brings in a sunflower leshy who can't quite hit, but can provide a distraction to allow Yuturr to get a good hit in!

The golem fills a syringe and pokes it at Asta.

syringe 1 type: 1d6 ⇒ 3
syringe attack: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30
piercing: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (7, 7) + 6 = 20 plus electricity: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

It then fill another vial to toss at Fuchsia.

bomb type: 1d6 ⇒ 3
bombs away: 1d20 + 20 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 20 - 5 = 35
zap!: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 6) = 12 plus 3 splash

Initiative
Alchemical Golem, -6 hp, slowed
Fuchsia, -30 hp, flat-footed
Asta, -34 hp
Jack, -3 hp
Yuturr, -14 hp
Zarke, -3 hp

Have panache from tumbling last round

Ow!

She draws her hammer and moves in.

Light Hammer, Confident Finisher: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
B: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12
Precision: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 4) = 9 (full damage on miss)

Draw move strike.

Action 1: Sustain a Spell
Action 2-3: Ray of Frost

Jack concentrates on the tenuous connection to his leshy ally, maintaining the magic as it continues its assault.

Strike (Flat-footed): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Damage (B): 1d8 ⇒ 5
Strike (Flat-footed): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage (B): 1d8 ⇒ 4

He then draws upon his mystical connection to the fey realm, conjuring a ray of frost to hopefully slow the construct.
Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

Sorry, i was under the impression that Fuchsia had tumbled through and was in that position.

Yuturr continues to use the stabbing technique. It's perhaps not his best move, but if he can find the right weak point...

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 2 = 10
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 3

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 16 - 4 = 15
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 8

He then whips up a disk of force to protect himself, maybe.

Strike x2, verbal component for shield.

"Ow, indeed."

Crafting to Recall Knowledge (Known Weakness): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Asta studies the strange creature with an eye toward its construction. Not finding much of use, and not seeing the same kind of opening he saw a moment ago, he reaches out and tries to trip the spindly construct.

Athletics to Trip: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Oof. If that's a crit-fail, he spends his third action standing. If it's not, he spends his third action drawing his light mace into his off hand.

Zarke moves up behind Asta, shoves the door open and then moves into the doorway.

Fuchsia moves in with a hammer and gives the golem a solid smack! Bludgeoning goes through!

Jack's leshy can't quite connect, but does provide a flank! The ray of frost misses.

Yuturr stabs it, breaking a few tubes and knocking a screw loose.

Asta tries to trip it, but gets his leg caught on the creature's spindly limbs. He stands up.

The golem fills a syringe and stabs at the leshy who is nearest the doorway!

syringe 1 type: 1d6 ⇒ 1
syringe attack: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32
piercing: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 6 = 13 plus acid: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

It does the same to Fuchsia.

syringe 1 type: 1d6 ⇒ 5
syringe attack: 1d20 + 22 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 22 - 5 = 20
piercing: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 6 = 14 plus poison: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

And Yuturr.

syringe 1 type: 1d6 ⇒ 5
syringe attack: 1d20 + 22 - 10 ⇒ (17) + 22 - 10 = 29
piercing: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 = 14 plus poison: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Initiative
Alchemical Golem, -34 hp, slowed
Fuchsia, -30 hp, flat-footed
Asta, -34 hp
Jack, -3 hp
Yuturr, -39 hp
Zarke, -3 hp

Fuchsia nods at Zarke. Excellent!

Tumble: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38

, Confident Hammertime vs FF: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
B: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7
Precision: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 2) = 10

Parry.

In position Zarke smashes twice with his Maul.

hammer time: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
bludgeoning damage: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 = 6

hammer time: 1d20 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 14 - 5 = 25
bludgeoning damage: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (12, 8) + 4 = 24

Before healing Astra.

Battle Medicine Astra DC 20: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34
healing: 4d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 1, 7, 3) + 10 = 29

"Thanks, Zarke, that's much better."

Arcana to Recall Knowledge (Known Weakness): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Asta examines the creature again. His rings flare as he draws his light mace in his off hand and swings it at the creature.

+1 striking light mace vs. flank (DaS): 11 + 16 = 27
B damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9
Strategic Strike: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

I'm pretty sure that this thing is gonna blow up in our face when we finally drop it, Yuturr says somewhat fatalistically.

Nevertheless, he doesn't stop with the stabbing.

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 5) + 2 = 9
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 5

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 16 - 4 = 19
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 2 = 10
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 7

He whips up his disk of force to protect himself in case of a savage blow. Will use if a hit is a crit.

Strike x2, verbal component for shield.

Action 1-2: Grease
Action 3: Shield

Jack continues to release magic at the golem, but this time not directly. His conjuration creates a layer of grease beneath where it stands.
Grease. DC 25 Reflex save or Acrobatics check.

Nervous about reprisals, he shields himself with magic temporarily.

Fuchsia tumbles into place and lets loose an impressive attack!

1d6 ⇒ 5

She smashes the poison reservoir!

Without a flank, Zarke can't quite connect, but he does heal Asta's wounds.

Asta recognizes the Yuturr is correct, and the golem will explode when it is destroyed! Nevertheless, he whacks it with his mace!

Yuturr makes an attack that should hit, but his aim goes right through the reservoir the Fuchsia just smashed. Hit but did not get through resistance.

Pausing to confirm Jack's turn.

Initiative
Alchemical Golem, -87 hp, slowed
Fuchsia, -30 hp, flat-footed
Asta, -34 hp
Jack, -3 hp
Yuturr, -39 hp
Zarke, -3 hp

Swap to ray of frost...
Ray of Frost vs Golem: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Damage (Cold): 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 1) + 4 = 11

Jack hits it with cold, slowing its joints!

The golem focus on Asta and Fuchsia, who did bludgeoning damage.

syringe 1 type: 1d6 ⇒ 3
syringe attack vs Asta: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31
piercing: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (9, 2) + 6 = 17 plus electricity: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

syringe 2 type: 1d6 ⇒ 4
syringe attack vs Fuchsia: 1d20 + 22 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 22 - 5 = 25
piercing: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (6, 6) + 6 = 18 plus fire: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

And misses Fuchsia because of the parry!

Initiative
Alchemical Golem, -87 hp, slowed
Fuchsia, -30 hp, flat-footed
Asta, -30 hp
Jack, -3 hp
Yuturr, -39 hp
Zarke, -3 hp

Fuchsia scurries underfoot and back to where she started!

tumble: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34

She then bangs her hammer against the golem’s shin.

Confident Hammertime vs FF: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
B: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10
Precision: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 2) = 9

And she parries again.

Arcana to Recall Knowledge (Known Weakness): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Not seeing a good opening, Asta waves his mace at the creature once just for show, then steps back to allow Zarke to step into the more advantageous space.

+1 striking light mace vs. flank, DaS: 3 + 16 = 19
B damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6

Zarke steps into the better smashy space and goes smashy smash.

smash vs FF: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
b damage: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 8

smash p2, the smashening vs FF: 1d20 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 5 = 19
b damage: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11

Action 1: Guidance
Action 2-3: Ray of Frost

Knowing that keeping this construct from moving quickly, Jack calls upon a series of invocations to guide his aim before releasing another bolt of frost.
Ray of Frost vs Golem: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 1 = 31
Damage (Cold): 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 4, 4) + 4 = 17

I'm presuming Fuchsia gives a flank? I'm apparently having trouble following this encounter for some reason.

Yuturr is not thrilled to learn that his sardonic observation was spot-on. Because of course it will, he says with a grimace. I'm gonna take that pain out on every Aspis I meet, for as long as I live.

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 2 = 6
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 7

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 16 - 4 = 15
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 = 7
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 4

He whips up his trusty disk of force, in case of emergency. Will use if a hit is a crit.

Strike x2, verbal component for shield.

Fuchsia darts around its feet and bangs its shin!

Asta gets out of Zarke's way.

Zarke hits once!

Jack keeps it cold and slowed.

Yuturr uses Fuchsia's flank to hit once with sneak attack!

Yes, Fuchsia tumbled under its feet and back to where she started. Swashbucklers, ha ha.

The creature takes aim at Zarke and Fuchsia.

Alchemical golem
syringe 1 type: 1d6 ⇒ 2
syringe attack vs Zarke: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32
piercing: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 = 17 plus cold: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7

syringe 2 type: 1d6 ⇒ 5
syringe attack vs Fuchsia: 1d20 + 22 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 22 - 5 = 18
piercing: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (8, 4) + 6 = 18 Poison chamber is empty!

Crit miss vs Fuchsia! Riposte?

Initiative
Alchemical Golem, -119 hp, slowed
Fuchsia, -30 hp, flat-footed
Asta, -30 hp
Jack, -3 hp
Yuturr, -39 hp
Zarke, -27 hp

Riposte: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
B: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12 Doubles to 24?

tumble: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26think that fails.

strike vs FF: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
B: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Break already!

Zarke squeaks as he gets injected, he steels himself and smashes twice before continuing the melee step dance.

hammer vs FF: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
bludgeoning: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 = 16

more hammer, more smash vs FF: 1d20 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 14 - 5 = 26
bludgeoning: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (5, 10) + 4 = 19

Action 1-2: Ray of Frost
Action 3: Guidance

Jack sends yet another ray at the construct, hoping the steady stream will freeze it in place.
Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

He then calls upon the fey magics to guide Yuturr, hoping the anthropomorphic cat will finish this off.
Guidance on Yuturr

Arcana to Recall Knowledge (Known Weakness): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Not seeing a good opening, Asta instead sheathes his sword-cane and reaches out toward Yuturr. As the glow in his rings fades, his gloves start to glow in their own right, imbuing Yuturr with healing energy.

Yuturr healing: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 6) + 7 = 19

◆ DaS, ◆ sheathe sword cane, ◆activate healer's gloves

Fuchsia smashes another chamber!

1d6 ⇒ 4

Fire chamber emptied!

Zarke, thanks to Fuchsia's flank, connects twice more, bringing the creature down!

1d6 ⇒ 1

The acid chamber and explodes, hitting everyone except Jack, Meg, and T'gon'l.

rupture!: 10d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 1, 4, 4, 4, 6, 4, 1) = 30 acid, DC 28 basic Reflex save.