Sufficiently Advanced Magic (Inactive)

Game Master Losonti

"Master Kyte has been most supportive. I believe that he will help if he is able. Many priests can channel the power of their deity to heal many wounded at once.

I consider it preferable to heal Zelvin before returning home. Val would be distressed to see Zelvin in his current state."

A bit sullen from defeat, as well as exhausted from dragging the armored Dwarf up with Hekau, Tyn lowers Xaerai down gently with Hekau for a much needed breather. He prceeds to shake the water off like a wet dog and wring out his tail a bit.

"I don't think it would hurt to ask him for a bit of healing. If it's not available, I can take care of it in the morning. Although I wouldn't be at full capacity if we are hell-bent on proceeding immediately..."

He sighs,

"I understand your urgency, but if I'm the one who ends up forking out the healing in the morning, I think we should maybe take a day off...? Maybe hit the Silverdisk Hall invite for a little "R and R" to refresh ourselves. You never know when or where a helpful epiphany may evince itself and possibly offer a fresh perspective on things. Just a thought."

Assuming you do indeed hit up your local priest of Brigh.

Joram Kyte's face is grave as you haul your unconscious friends into his temple. As soon as you deposit them onto nearby cots, he launches into a flurry of healing magic that heals your wounds and restores Zelvin and Xaerai to consciousness.

"I'd like to keep the pair of you overnight, just to be sure there's nothing else wrong with you," he says, his voice full of concern. "Khonnir mentioned a creature like the one you describe, but he told us he'd destroyed the bloody thing. If there's more of them waiting for you down there..." He trails off, shaking his head.

"I fear that it may be too late for your father. I'm sorry."

Zelvin sputters and coughs as he comes to. "Forearmed?" he exclaims cryptically, and gratefully sits back on the cot as Joram helps close his injuries with Brigh's magic. He proceeds to chattily describe what they encountered below the Torch, shivering as he shares the party's observations about the undead creature that brought them down. He is visibly relieved when he learns that they closed the door on it, trapping it so that it could not come after them. "Those were some mighty heroic antics you folks pulled off!" he enthuses. He begs Tyn to tell the story several times, grinning from ear to ear.

He thinks for a while after the priest voices his fears about Khonnir. He, too, harbors similar fears, but he finally shakes his head stubbornly. "I reckon Mr. Khonnir surely went into that room, Mr. Joram, as we followed his tracks straight there. I didn't see his body, nor his bones, and if there was another exit I'm guessin' that creature couldn't open it neither. I suppose it could be that Mr. Khonnir went in that way on one of his earlier trips and then fled like we did, though. We might need to search that huge sandy cavern a bit more closely if that's so."

"It's a pity we couldn't bring back Mr. Sonder's body for Miz Otterbie, but we'll get it next time. He got done in by some kind of mold-- russet mold, I think you said Hekau? We're gonna need to disinfect him before we give him back to his family."

Xaerai, breathing a little ragged, opens her eyes as the healing magic takes effect. "So I didn't die after all," she observes with mild surprise, turning her head to take in everyone eles. "Looks like you all make it too, that's good!"

Sitting up with a groan, the dwarf gives Joram Kyte a grateful nod. "Sorry to put you out like this, Father Kyte. The complex down there is a mess." Her jaw tightens as she thinks of the long-dead four-armed warrior. "I don't know if Khonnir killed it or not. If he did, either it came back or it had a buddy. Either way that means I get to kill it again."

"If Khonnir Baine has reached a safe place, he may yet live. I will proceed under that assumption.
Master Kyte, you may be interested in the myriad technological devices we encountered."

Hekau begins drawing diagrams and offering explanations.

"Zelvin is correct. We will bring some potent alcohol to kill the Russet Mold on Gerrol Sonder."

"We will need a plan to defeat the zombie creature. I would recommend employing tactics that neutralize the enemy's advantage in close combat, rather than trying to match his strength head-on. The creature was far less dangerous at range.
If you insist on meeting it in hand combat, then I can prepare enchantments to make our warriors invisible, so that they can more easily strike the foe. This will be only a fleeting advantage."

Hekau can prepare a number of Vanish spells.

As Zelvin and Xaerai are restored to consciousness and well-being, Shesik waits impatiently. At Zelvin's praise she shrugs. "Nothing I was doing was hurting it, so I figured it was time to run. None of it would have mattered if Hekau here hadn't gotten that door closed."

As their stories continue and Master Kyte shares his reactions, her face contorts to shocked betrayal. "Wait, you knew something like that was down there and you didn't mention it?!? Are you people trying to get us all killed? What other nightmares have you been holding out on us?"

At the dwarf's defiant theorizing, Shesik's demeanor mellows slightly. "Y'know, it's possible that there's someone down there fixing the things that Khonnir disabled earlier. If so, he might have been captured and held captive. In that case, he's probably still alive." With a casual shrug, she finishes, "Either way, we need to get past that thing and bring him back."

Sighing, she looks at Zelvin and Hekau, "Unfortunately, I think Sonder will have to wait. We'll find your dad first, then we'll have all the time we need to deal with bringing him home too." Shesik looks up at Tyn and Hekau. "For now, let's go tell Val that we're all ok and get some rest." Turning to go, she looks back at Xaerai and Zelvin, "You guys rest up too. We'll meet back here in the morning and see what we want to do.'

At Zelvin's request, Tyn recounts Zelvin's courageous dash in, how heroic Xaerai was, as well as Hekau's timely and effective tripspell maneuver. He then finishes up with Shesik's impressive body drag. He fails to mention anything of himself running back and forth, dashing about, as effectual as a dinner-bird who had been recently beheaded.

"...yeah...and...uhhhh. Let's go back and get some rest."

Hekau is rather surprised at Shesik's outburst.

"Master Kyte believed the zombie creature to have been destroyed and therefore not a danger. Relatively few creatures can reconstitute themselves after being destroyed. It was not an unreasonable expectation that the zombie had ceased being a threat.
Nevertheless, if you think it necessary, I will relate to Master Kyte comprehensive descriptions of our defeated foes. That way, if we should perish in our next attempt, those that follow us will have knowledge of what dangers may have re-formed."

Hekau begins describing the various monstrosities encountered, including the four-armed skeletons, the drone, the ghelarn, the gremlins, the brown mold, the slime molds, the blindheim, and the fire beetles. For each one, he describes how it attacked the party and how it was ultimately defeated.

Shesik sighs, ”Sorry to be so harsh. Just because Khonnir destroyed one, doesn’t mean there aren’t more of ‘em down there. The skulks told us about the skeletons, but they hadn’t gone any further.” She gestures at the priest watching over their friends, ”Master Kyte here knew that there were things like that nasty zombie down there and he didn’t warn us. Admittedly, I don’t think we thought to ask him what me might run into, just Elder Freddart, she was the only councilor present when we took this job.”

She sits heavily on the foot of Xaerai’s bed. Looking up at the only full blooded Human in the room, she continues somewhat more reservedly. ”I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to ask you now about whatever you know. Anything might be helpful at this point.”

"We know that we will encounter the zombie creature again, and so we should formulate a stratagem for defeating it.
I will plan to use Mage Hand to open the door from a distance. I would suggest we center our strategy around Tyn using his bombs. Therefore, I propose casting Vanish on him, opening the door remotely, and casting another Vanish on him if the zombie gets too close. While we fall back, employ ranged attacks, and refrain from tripping the zombie. We do not do anything that would impair Tyn's ability to hit."

Or, if Shesik or Xaerai start their turns in melee with the zombie, attack and move away to give Tyn a clear shot. Taking a single AOO is better than taking four attacks.

"Alternatively, I can prepare different spells for another plan."

Spell Study gives Hekau a huge range of options.

"In the company I served with before, we'd use bags of this alchemical goo to slow down enemies. Worked wonders against cav or heavy infantry. Might be a good idea here."

Do we have funds for a 1 or 2 tanglefoot bags? It would impose a -2 to attacks, -4Dex, and half speed even if they make their save.

I think we were trying to save up for a Wand of CLW, but a couple of Tanglefoot Bags could be worthwhile. According to the loot sheet, we have 532 GP, and then we found another 75 GP on Gerrol Sonder (which I think was not yet added).

"An excellent idea, Xaerai."

Looking between Hekau and Xaerai, Shesik sighs. "Keeping that thing immobile is a good start, but..." She looks down at her hands and flexes her claws before continuing. "...I fight better up close. I can use a bow, but I'm better with these." There is a momentary flash of bitterness to the look she gives her hands. They keep me alive and keep me separate. These so-called gifts of birth still make everyone look at me with distrust. Not like I can trust any of them anyway. What goes around, comes around, right? Looking back up at the others, the look softens. Gotta start somewhere, I guess. Can't hate everyone all the time. "If there's anything you guys can do to make me harder to hit, that might help. That thing didn't manage to hit me last time, don't know if that was skill or just luck though."

With a sudden glimmer of mischief in her mismatched eyes, she looks over to Tyn. "Y'know, you could probably make us some tanglefoot bags. Might save us some coin."

Crafting might be harder than I'd thought. 500sp at DC 25. Taking 10, Tyn can succeed using his Crafter's Fortune Extracts, but it'd probably take a few days. After two weeks work he'd be 50sp short of three bags. But it'd cost us only 50gp for all three instead of 150gp. Probably not worth the time, unfortunately.

"Yeah, the ole' spitball. I'm gonna have to asses how feasible that one is at this time. They'll try and knock me off the mound if their umps catch me using it though. For now, I need to get some rest soz I can comtemplate my control issues!"

So is it back to the house for the night? Xaerai and Zelvin are staying with Master Kyte?

"Shesik, I am not sure that your claws will be able to cause the zombie significant injury."
I believe we know from Zelvin that it has DR/magic. Do you bypass that?

"Obstructing the zombie so that it cannot get to Tyn may be more effective. I do not mean to disparage your martial skills, but some foes may be better suited to one or another of us."

I think that's the plan, Tyn. Then back into the caves as soon as possible.

Shesik frowns at Hekau, ”Maybe not, but at least it’d be something to try. If they won’t do the trick, I’m not sure I’ve got anything else that will.” With a bit of a sigh she looks over to Tyn. ”At least I’d be a distraction to keep its attention away from the rest of you.”

No Magic claws until I can take the Eldritch Claws Feat (or until we can get a potion of Magic Fang). The potion would last 10 rounds and costs 50gp, same as the Tanglefoot Bags.

Okay, so I guess it depends who sells what in town. If we can get 2 Tanglefoot Bags, 1 oil of Magic Fang (for Shesik), and 1 oil of Magic Weapon (for Xaerai), I would call that 200 gp well-spent.

A good plan!

While Kyte himself has none of the items, he is able to direct you to a local alchemist with them in stock. Resting for the night and then going back to the caves, or someplace else?

Sounds like a plan!

Hekau will purchase the necessary items, then report back to Val.

"We have encountered numerous difficulties. However, both Zelvin and I remain alive, and we have hope that Khonnir Baine still lives as well. We return to the caves in the morning. Master Kyte is seeing to Zelvin, who was injured. I believe that Zelvin's recovery will be complete by the morning."

The android is attempting to be reassuring, and at least he doesn't give (or have) any sign of fear.

Resting for the night, gearing back up, and heading back in. That's my vote.

"If the wizard has survived this long, we can only hope he'll survive a bit longer. Now that we've gotten patched back up we'll need to get some of those alchemical goo-bombs and then go thrash that undead creep!"

"We have a plan and the resources," Tucking the potion of Magic Fang carefully into her belt pouch, Shesik gives Hekau a grateful smile. "I think we'll manage. I have confidence that we can deal with this thing, especially with Tyn's bombs."

Looking over to Val she attempts to be reassuring. "Father Kyte says that your father dealt with one of these things before, so he should be able to hold his own for a bit longer."

I also think our plan should be a night's rest and return to caves in the morning.

Sullen and frustrated, Tyn follows everyone back to get some much needed rest-shaking his head and grumbling to himself.

Val does her best to hide the fear and worry from her face, but not even Hekau is fooled by it.

"Just be careful," she says quietly as she sets out bowls in front of each you. She pours a steaming ladle of stew into each one before serving herself and sitting down at the end of the table. She's quiet for the rest of the night.

Skipping ahead a bit...

After making your usual morning preparations, you descend into the caves again. Your return journey is uneventful, until you reach the underground desert. As you retrace your steps, you realize the skeletons you had defeated previously are gone. You continue on your way, but find yourself assailed by another group of the skeletons, possibly the very same ones you destroyed the day previous.

The battle itself is short, as you bat away their claws and crush them into a pile of broken bones once again. Still, it raises the question: what will it take to put the undead to rest?

"What the blazes...?" Zelvin swears, panting. "These skeletons have got too many arms and too many lives!"

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"I guess I understand why no one else has dealt with the skeletons in all this time--they probably have, but the damned things won't stay dealt with. We might need to bring in a priest."

Finishing her march through the sandy chamber, Xaerai pulls up short once the door to the four-armed champion zombie is in view. "Well, that's what we came back here for. Ready?"

Hekau also considers the problem of the unkillable skeletons. Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
"Perhaps it is a curse of some sort, or a magical item that periodically repairs and reanimates them."
---

Hekau looks to Xaerai. "Let us get into position and use our oils."
I guess if Xaerai uses Unarmed Strike then we got two Magic Fang oils.
"I will cast Vanish on Tyn, immediately followed by Mage Hand to bring the keycard to the door. I will then throw a Tanglefoot Bag at the zombie, and support with Disrupt Undead spells or additional Vanish spells if needed."

Dusting sand and bits of broken bone from her clothes, Shesik thinks out loud. ”Well, that would explain why we wound up facing something Khonnir claimed to have destroyed. Can the ‘bots down here rebuild the undead. Perhaps these things just keep getting put back together after they die, like some sort of insane attempt at healing.”

Standing at the door she takes the vial and uncorks the stopper. ”Everyone ready? Let’s do this. Bottoms up.”

I believe Magic Fang would be a potion since it targets a creature instead of an object.

Already shaking wth anger, Tyn clenches a small vial in his fist-ready to imbue it with with his arcane essence and deliver it with all the righteous indignation he has ever felt thus far.

"Daddy used to provoke me on his up ta bat-like he was trying to get me to purposefully bean him. I never knew why...until now. Let's do this!"

Shesik is correct. Bear in mind, though, that it only affects one natural weapon (i.e. one claw, not both).

The creature, perhaps alerted in some way by the skeletons you defeated on your way to its lair, is clearly ready for you when the door opens. Even with your advance preparations, only Zelvin is faster.

Zelvin is up first, followed by your old buddy!

Zelvin winces as it occurs to him at the last minute that this may mean the skeleton they are fighting will sit back up again after they finally defeat it! He fights back this terrifying thought and shoots the creature through the doorway as the key triggers the mechanism.

Zelvin sacrifices a 1st level spell as a swift action to give his gun a +1 enhancement bonus for 1m. Then he casts coin shot and fires a platinum piece at the creature through his gun.

Attack (+1 pistol) vs touch AC, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 1 = 21
Damage (adamantine, bludgeoning/piercing, magic), coin shot, Deadly Aim, enhancement: 1d10 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 7

Zelvin's quick reflexes pay off handsomely, and the magical coin shot blasts a chunk out of the zombie's torso as it charges forward and into the open doorway. Its eyes are focused on Zelvin and his gun, but one of its arms snaps a blade out at Tyn as soon as he is within reach. 6 slashing damage

Everyone is up!

Hekau had cast Vanish on Tyn before opening the door. The zombie may have some way of seeing him, of course.

Enhance systems for optimal accuracy.

Hekau's circuit tattoos glow as he throws a Tanglefoot Bag. Using Nanite Surge for a +6 to the roll.

Ranged Touch, Into Melee, with Cover, 2nd range increment, Nanite Surge: 1d20 + 4 - 4 - 4 - 2 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 4 - 4 - 2 + 6 = 20

Direct hit.

Target is Entangled and must make a Reflex save DC 15 or be stuck to the floor. Even if not glued to the floor, Entangled gives it a -2 on attack rolls and -4 Dex.

"Ha! Got 'em Hekau, I love it when a plan comes together!" Trying to stick to the plan and keep her distance, the dwarf flourishes her pistol and fires, then falls back down the hall. "Give ground, give ground! That thing'll be even slower than a dwarf now!"

Blam!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Tossing the empty vial to the floor, Shesik lunges forward attempting to roll past the sticky mess that was once the all to quick zombie into the other room. Once behind the creature she lashes out with one hand, the sharp claws at the ends of her finger glowing just slightly.

She mumbles quietly under her breath as she moves. ” You’re getting another chance to try to kill us all. But know this, we’re gonna kill you first.”

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Claw Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14
Claw Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

Away from my pc and attempting to edit the map on mobile failed. I’ll adjust my position as soon as I am able if someone else doesn’t do it for me.

Zelvin winces as the creature seems to charge at him, and turns his head slightly to help him weather the blast that doesn't come. He anxiously fires a second platinum piece at it, crying out "Die! Die, you foul four-armed fiend!"

He activates Arcane Strike as a swift action.
Attack (+1 pistol) vs touch AC, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 1 = 11
Damage (adamantine, bludgeoning/piercing, magic), coin shot, Arcane Strike, Deadly Aim, enhancement: 1d10 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 7

"Zelvin, I suggest you fall back. Tyn, draw its wrath or Shesik will die."

The only way I see this round ending without someone going negative is if Tyn gets a significant hit on the zombie and ends his turn 15' away so it has to move to get to him.

Maybe GM's dice will go cold? :)

Tyn watches as Shesik darts back behind the creature-ending up adjacent to it,
"We are definitely going to have to have a conversation about splash..."

and take a quick slice from the short sword,

"Yeeee-ouch! Someone check the pine tar on that thing-it's gotta be illegal!"

He does a quick run of calculations in his head weighing minimal damage to Shesiks perceived reflexes. He rolls his eyes, sighs and takes a step back.

Alkahest bomb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Acid: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 8) + 6 = 18

Splash Damage=8 DC 16 Reflex for 1/2

@GM, Tyn - I said Hekau was casting Vanish on Tyn before opening the door. If so, that might mean that Tyn didn't get hit, and also that his bomb resolves against flat-footed touch AC.

Hekau, you are correct and I spaced out. Tyn takes no damage whatsoever! Also, a 13 does in fact beat his flat-footed touch AC, even before the entangling effect.

Hekau's perfectly aimed tanglefoot bag hits home, cutting its charge off mid-stride. It tries in vain to yank its feet free for a moment, giving Xaerai an opening for a bullseye.

Unfortunately, the zombie seems not even slightly phased by the projectile's passage, and even if in its entangled state it manages to parry Shesik's claw and dodge another coin shot from Zelvin. DR, sorry Xaerai. :(

Using dedicating all but one of its blades to the purpose, it hacks itself free of the entangling goo in seconds, before delivering a brutal slash to Shesik. It follows the strike up by slamming its forehead into hers and seems ready to deliver the finishing blow when a bomb from the invisible Tyn explodes across its back. A nat 19 confirmed by a nat 20 for 18 damage, plus a slam for an additional 6. Oof.

It howls in pain, the acid chewing into its flesh merrily.

Everyone is up, though I believe that Shesik is down for the count regardless of her save.

Tyn’s Alkahist bombs only deal 2d4 damage to living creatures. Although that doesn’t change the splash damage. That crit definitely does put a dent in things. (Like Shesik’s head.)

Reflex save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Stabilization check: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (8) - 3 = 5

Zelvin gasps as the creature tears into their friend, and fires his last platinum piece at the creature before backing up as far down the corridor as he can go.

He activates Arcane Strike as a swift action.
Attack (+1 pistol) vs touch AC, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 1 = 5
Damage (adamantine, bludgeoning/piercing, magic), coin shot, Arcane Strike, Deadly Aim, enhancement: 1d10 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 13

Zelvin raises his eyes to the strange lights at the ceiling and mutters a quick prayer to Brigh as he squeezes the trigger.

Zelvin will use his Called trait, which allows him to reroll a 1 with his pistol 1/day.

Attack (+1 pistol) vs touch AC, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 1 = 9

Ha ha, doesn't matter. Brigh is laughing at him. ;)

Zelvin said he was moving back down the hall, so Hekau can get to a space with a clear shot. Zelvin hasn't been moved on the map but by his post he isn't in the way now.

Disrupt necromantic energies. Targeting...

Hekau casts Disrupt Undead.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Ranged Touch Confirm?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

"Ah, Hells, I jinxed it!" Xaerai grimaces when Shesik falls, and her own shot lands to no effect. "Bullets won't do the trick, we're gonna have to burn it or cut it to pieces!"

What I would like to do is move up and drag Shesik to safety, but I don't want to trigger an AoO against Shesik that would likely kill her. Once she's clear we can disrupt and/or bomb it to death.

Though Tyn's calculations that his splash would do minimal damage compared to what the four-armed fright could do-he howls at not being able to prevent...what he was trying to prevent.

"Friggin Frack on Bharnarol's blessed bunion!"

He then opts for his last action's a-bit-less-than-equal opposite reaction. In a few familiar deft movements he infuses his next bomb with the essence of a Cure Light Wounds extract.

Healong Bomb vs Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

heal vs Zombie (DC 16 Will for 1/2): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

4 HP Healing Splash to Shesik

"Aha! In that case..." Xaerai darts forward, as though intending to drive a vicious kick into the zombie's kneecap. At the last second the dwarf reverses direction and backpedals down the hall. "Yeah that's it, you dusty old corpse. Keep your eyes on me..." The dwarf plants her feet and loads another shot into her pistol.

Xaerai will utilize her Iron Within ability, spending that ki point to gain a +20ft bonus to her speed and +2 dodge to AC for one round (AC20). She will move adjacent to the zombie, then back away to deliberately provoke an AoO, hopefully giving Shesik a change to scramble to safety.

Groggily opening her eyes as Tyn’s healing energies wash over her, Shesik stares up at the too-many armed abomination with newfound respect. ”Ok big guy, I get it. Staying down.”

Yeah, my options are pretty limited right now. I’m currently limited to a single Move or Standard action and can only move at half speed, and any “strenuous” action will drop me to negative and Dying again. Standing up or moving at all while prone both provoke an AoO. Gonna wait and see if it uses its AoO on Xaerai or moves away.

It also could well have Combat Reflexes and therefore multiple AOOs - this thing screams "Agile" to me.