Sufficiently Advanced Magic (Inactive)

Game Master Losonti

"Xaerai, while I am uncertain of the device's function, I do not believe it to be inherently and directly dangerous.
I do not have enough information to formulate a conclusion about the indirect risks and benefits of activating the device.
Therefore, I make no recommendation for or against activating it."

Xaerai stares hard at the blinking panel, as though willing it to give up her secrets. "Well hold onto your hats, friends," she drawls after a long moment and pushes the button.

Watching the insubstantial vision of the false desert appear over the table Shesik reaches forward and runs her fingers through the image. "Is this a way to watch the cavern? Does anyone know what all these glyphs mean?"

"That language is Androffan. Khonnir Baine believed it to be a language from another world. It is found in some ruins around Torch.
The glyphs say 'no signal.' If this system is to monitor the cavern, it is currently unable to do so for some reason."

Giving a distrustful shake of her head, Shesik frowns. ”Or the machines in this room could, in some way, control those skeletons. And now that we’ve destroyed them, it can’t find them.”

Looking around the room of blinking panels, she starts moving to the door. ”At any rate, there doesn’t seem to be any threats in here. We should move on.”

"Gotta say I was hopin' for a little something more," Xaerai sighs but nods to Shesik. "If the show's over then we'd best be moving along."

"Moving right along, then. Z-man do you want to activate this door?"

Tyn takes a defensive stance and braces for whatever lies beyond.

I feel bad but I really got a kick out of just putting a button in front of you guys partly just to see what you'd do with it. I'll give Zelvin until lunchtime tomorrow to post but will otherwise assume he's willing to help with the door.

Of course he will! Don’t wait on me!

Once again, the door slides open with a soft beep, revealing the next room. A large metal table is surrounded by odd-looking chairs in this room. To the west, what appears to be a transparent wall looks out over a strange desert valley. Four pillars support the fifteen foot-high ceiling, while dozens of crude images of a pickaxe made of a skull and bones have been painted onto the walls with some sort of ivory pigment along with several phrases in an unrecognizable language.

A four-armed figure stands inside the room, clearly waiting for you. It brandishes a pair of short swords at you, speaking in a strange language as it does so. While the words themselves are alien to you, the intent is clear: it means to kill you.

It follows through on its threat, charging forward and making a powerful overhand slash at Xaerai. Strong as it is, however, the dwarf's armor manages to turn the blade and it does little but scuff her gear.

Everyone is up!

Does Zelvin have any idea what sort of creature this thing is?

Knowledge (arcana, dungeoneering, local, or religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Zelvin narrows his eyes and speaks frantically in Common: "Reckon it's some kind of sentient zombie, probably the leader of the four-armed bone rascals we fought in thar desert cave out there! I'd say it's immune to magic missiles, cold, and electricity damage, and that tough skin it's got also looks to be resistant to fire and weapons what ain't enchanted!" As much as he wants to retreat behind the others, against his better judgment he casts a spell that wreaths his hand in black energy, and he tries to move past the fiend, tagging it with the effects of his spell as he passes.

He activates his spell dance ability as a swift action, which gives him +10' move and a +2 dodge bonus vs attacks of opportunity for 1m. Then he casts chill touch as his standard action. For his move action, he draws his dagger and goes through the doorway and past the creature so that he is flanking it with Xaerai. Then he takes his free attack from the spell. On a hit, the creature must make a Will save of DC 14 or flee as if panicked for 1d4+2 rounds.

Touch attack, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

That's a big ol' miss, but the two charges of the spell remain on his touch as long as he doesn't cast anything else.

"Anybody catch whatever it said? Undeath's a damned plague, but it seems a shame to destroy someone who might be able to tell us about the place." Despite her lamentations, Xaerai steps up to support Zelvin with a vicious hammerhand strike to the zombie's collarbone.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Hekau marvels at Zelvin's ability to coherently convey such a large volume of information in six seconds.

I kid! There is a spell that is meant to specifically allow that, but the spell is sort of redundant since talking is a free action.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"Zelvin, I would suggest remaining at range!"
Hekau regards the loss of Zelvin as something to be avoided, but his 'brother' has chosen a particularly risky course of action.

Accessing files...
Hekau prepares Thunderstomp into an open slot with his Magical Epiphany feat.

Channeling all available power to arcane capability...
His circuitry begins to glow.

"Well, I can still do one thing..."

Tyn moves up and through to provoke the fiend's reactive attack.

"Coming through! Age before beauty!"

A magus can do a lot in only six seconds!

The creature angrily slashes at Zelvin as he darts past, but the half-elf is just too quick for it. When Xaerai tries to capitalize on its distraction, though, one of its free hands sweeps out and knocks her arm aside. Its dead eyes bore into her own.

In the confusion, Tyn slips through without incident.

I guess he's pretty glib, despite having a negative Charisma. ;)

"Never mind me, let's just take this thing down while we've got it thinkin'!" Zelvin cries frantically. "Maybe it's got Mr. Khonnir locked up somewhere here!"

Readying her bow, Shesik takes aim and looses an arrow at the creature. ”Skeletons and zombies? This is a strange place for all these undead.”

Shortbow Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 4 = 7
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The four-armed zombie strikes out at Xaerai and Zelvin simultaneously, catching both of them off guard with its blades and leaving Zelvin reeling. It immediately follows up with a powerful knockout blow, sending the magus crashing to the ground. A crit vs Xaerai for 19 damage, and a crit and a slam to Zelvin for a total of 19 damage. Sorry! D:

Everyone is up! Zelvin, please make a DC 10 Constitution check, with a -5 penalty. If somebody heals you enough before the round is up, you can take your full turn instead.

Calculating...
Hekau casts Thunderstomp on the zombie.
His circuitry surges with power as he channels everything he has into this spell.

The 1/day +4 CL from Spell Sage and the 1/day +5 on a d20 roll from Android.

Trip, CL+Int+4+4: 1d20 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 = 30

Hekau's magic flows through the ground toward the zombie, and with a hiss of surprise it is knocked flat on its back, all six limbs waving in panic.

A 30 will definitely do it, he is knocked prone!

Constitution check, DC 10, -5 penalty: 1d20 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 5 = 6

"I advise retreat. Shesik, can you extricate Zelvin?"

OOC, feel free to do whatever you think best. I try to limit my strategizing to IC comments that can reasonably be expressed in six seconds.

Scrambling through the door, Shesik pulls out one of the precious vials and pours it into Zelvin’s slack mouth. ”C’mon elf, can’t have you missing the family reunion.”

CLW Potion: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Ugh, not enough for consciousness, but at least you’re stabilized.

higher than AC19 and it can nearly take out 2 characters per turn. Might be time to get out of here, we're outclassed.

"This thing is beyond us, friends, I think it's time to go. Get Zelvin out of here, I'll hold it off." Xaerai steps in, gritting her teeth against the pain of her wound. "If I can."

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Tyn takes a swipe at the prone zombie before initiating his retreat.

Sickle (w/o adding flanking and/or bonus vs prone): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
DMG (Slashing): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

..and grimaces as he barely grazes it...

"Let's get Zelvin outta here!"

Tyn moves away, trying to draw any iterative attacks the thing may get.

I'll resolve the potion administering as having happened before Zelvin's turn, so he'll be stable at -1 HP.

Xaerai and Tyn's strikes both find their mark, only Xaerai's blow seems to have any effect on its hardened skin. It slashes at Tyn as he makes his escape, but the awkward angle allows him to easily evade.

After a few seconds on the ground, it regains its feet. It refocuses its attention on Xaerai and whips its sword out at her, lightning fast. The blade catches her in the side, and she joins Zelvin at its feet.

The party is up again! Shesik and Xaerai both get an AoO, with a +4 bonus for it being prone. Xaerai, please make the same Con check with a -4 penalty.

As the many-armed undead is momentarily distracted by Tyn and regaining its feet, Shesik swipes at it with a clawed hand.

Claw AoO: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 4 = 17
AoO Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Using a hand each to grab both Zelvin and Xaerai by their respective clothes, she shuffles back through the doorway. ”Tyn, a little help here might be in order.”

Can one Withdraw while dragging? If so, I’d like to avoid the AoO, otherwise I’ll take it. Can’t really acrobatically drag two bodies.

AoO: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 4 = 10 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Perfect timing

Con Save: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 4 = 0 Wow, okay dice roller.

Does Hekau know how to close the doors?
Knowledge (Engineering): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

He wants to close it as soon as his allies are through. If the keycard is needed, he will take it from Zelvin.

Hekau, you can close the doors by putting your hand on the panel, no card needed. Otherwise, they close on their own once nobody is standing in the doorway anymore.

The zombie takes an opportunistic swipe at Shesik as she pulls her friends to safety, but she's too quick and ducks under the blow. Before the door can shut entirely, it pulls a javelin from its back and hurls it through the gap, narrowly missing Hekau.

The door finally closes and you immediately hear the sound of angry pounding on the far side.

The party is up again.

Tyn watches as Shesik pulls both allies to safety.

"Impressive!"

As the pounding ensues,

"Yeah, that door isn't gonna be opened by us anytime soon. I hope it's not wishful thinking that the construction should hold. Shesik, we have one more healing potion we can give to Miss Xaerai...yes?"

He leans down to her.

DC 15 Heal to provide first aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Con Save: 1d20 + 3 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 5 = 17

Hekau picks up the javelin.

"If the creature cannot open the door, we may have the ability to escape. If it can open the door, we are in grave danger."

While Tyn and Shesik try to bring Xaerai around, Hekau will ready to cast Disrupt Undead if the zombie manages to open the door.

As Hekau closes the door between them an their doom Shesik slumps to the floor beside her unconscious companions. ”Yeah, one more.“ Drawing forth the final precious vial, she carefully pours it into Xaerai.

CLW Potion: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Well look at that. They’re both at -1 HP. At least they’re stabilized.

Shesik looks up at Tyn’s horned visage. “Tyn, do you have anything left for them? Anything at all?” Standing, she looks to the closed door, then back the way they had come. ”If we have no more healing magic, we have a problem. Can we get them back up through the Weeping Pond with their injuries? If we wait down here until they’re able to travel on their own, we’ll have lost our Waterbreathing.”

She sighs and turns to Hekau. ”Is your father worth this? This is your family robot. Your brother, your father, what do you want us to do?”

I see that both Shesik and Tyn have the Heal skill - do either of you have a Healer's Kit? "Treat Deadly Wounds" could work.

Also noticing, a bit late, that Xaerai has a class ability to potentially negate a crit. 25% chance.

Hekau pauses a moment before responding.

Shesik knows I am not a robot. Further correction at this point is unnecessary.

"Yes, Shesik, I believe this effort to rescue Khonnir Baine is worthwhile. I will continue in this course of action.
I believe that we will be able to bring Zelvin and Xaerai through the Weeping Pond, as the Water Breathing enchantment will protect them from drowning.

It will not be easy to transport our wounded. I would suggest that the strongest of us carry Zelvin, and the other two work together to carry Xaerai. Alternatively, one of us could go back to town and return with resources to aid in healing. We did find some coin with the remains of Gerrol Sonder."

Looking once more with suspicion at the door behind them, Shesik gives a begrudging nod. ”Then we’d best get a move on. We’re going to move slower with their weight.” She leans down and gently lifts the thin elf onto her shoulders. Stumbling slightly under the weight, she begins to trudge back towards the false desert. ”Well, c’mon you two, heft her up and let’s get going.”

I don’t have a Healing kit and I don’t see one on Tyn’s sheet. Besides which, that check takes an hour and is DC 20. Not very good odds the way things have been going.

Tyn regards Xaerai and makes a few calculations in his head.

"The average unarmored female dwarf I could handle alone. And though it seems to make more sense that way to me-and I'm sure she has some basic clothing on underneath, I am not going to be the one to disrobe her."

"May very well wake up with an extra hole in yer head, son!"

"Come on, Hekau, Let's get her mobile!"

"I am not certain that Xaerai is an average dwarf, as she has considerable muscle mass."

Also, I think your math is a bit off - your Max Load with 12 Str is 130 lbs. Female dwarves range from 134-176 lbs with an average of 155.

Hekau places one of Xaerai's arms over his shoulders as Tyn takes the other.

Xaerai probably clocks in at a respectable 165-170lbs

"Shesik, I be;ieve i saw you attempting to deactivate a mechanical function earlier. Is this something we need to address to leave safely?"

As you consider your options, the pounding on the door continues, but the door remains closed. As the immediate threat of a four-armed zombie bursting in to finish you off lessens, the sound fades into the back of your minds.

Thanks for your patience, everyone. I'll take us out of initiative for now. The entranceway is still active, so you'll either need to time it very well or figure out a way to deal with it.

With a look at the Tiefling, Shesik responds, ”We got through before without incident. We’re not moving much slower. We should be able to manage. Just make sure you’ve got that card ready Hekau.” And with that, she turns back towards the doors to the false desert.

Assuming that Zelvin isn’t heavy for his size (and by his description he’s skinny), he should just put me in Heavy Encumbrance. And the two of you splitting Xaerai’s weight shouldn’t be a problem. We should still be moving at 20ft. per action. We stopped and examined the room for a few moments before. We should be able to just rush through if we’re prepared.

I'm following events, even if I'm not posting anything because Zelvin is unconscious. :)

"Yes, I will be prepared."
Hekau takes out the key card.

"If we do not take the time to examine the room, as we did before, we may make it through."

Hekau will attempt to use his knowledge of machines to help with the timing.
Knowledge (Engineering): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"Let's get out of here then."

With careful coordination, you are able to carry your charges through the malfunctioning chamber without incident. The rest of the journey to the surface is slow and uncomfortable, but barring a bout of claustrophobia in the lightless and stinking underwater tunnels on the final stretch, you encounter no serious obstacles.

Soon, you find yourselves on the shore of the Weeping Pond, dizzy from the fumes but otherwise no worse for the wear. Other than the unconscious bodies of Xaerai and Zelvin, of course.

You might not have killed that super zombie just yet, but you did survive it, with no fatalities. Welcome to level 3!

Dragging herself out of the fetid waters, Shesik pulls Zelvin’s unconscious body onto the shore behind her. As Tyn and Hekau do the same with the unconscious dwarf, she scrapes some of the oily liquid from her belongings. ”Hekau, Tyn, you guys are kinda locals around here, think we can convince Master Kyte to spare some healing for our friends? Or should we just slog back to your home,” she gives a quick gesture to Hekau, ”and hope they’ll be ok after a good nights rest?”

Honestly, I’m surprised he’s willing to give us all these waterbreathing spells just on the off chance we’ll find Khonnir. Maybe this is asking too much. Awaiting their response she looks lost in thought.