Sufficiently Advanced Magic (Inactive)

Game Master Losonti

To the east, a large metal device that is the size of a large bed hums softly. From within it, you hear thumping and, while muffled, screams of agony.

The sudden quiet is broken after only a short pause as the sounds of muffled screams from the device in the corner begin again.

"Someone may need our assistance."

Hekau tries to open the device.
Disable Device if needed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"Is someone in there? Hello? Stay calm, we'll get you out o' there!" Zelvin shouts into the device.

"I think that I can honestly say that was indeed my first rodeo...What's next kids?"

Zelvin looks over the device, searching anxiously for controls that might open it. "Give us a hand with this contraption, Tyn?" he suggests.

Knowledge (engineering), maybe?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Giving the fallen machine one last kick, Shesik joins the others around the strange device. ”Anyone recognize that voice?” She asks absentmindedly as she looks it over.

Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

"Sure thing!"

knowledge engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

"Yes, yes-something constructive to address..."

knowledge engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

The robots themselves are too thoroughly destroyed to offer any salvageable materials, but a quick scan of the desks against the north wall by Xaerai turns up a number of interesting items.

Strewn amongst these are items that are much more familiar to each of you.

While Xaerai busies herself with the valuables she's found, Hekau puzzles out the stasis pod. Initially, he can't find any obvious method of opening it, until he notices a panel similar to those found on the doors. A quick swipe of a keycard is rewarded with a soft chime, a hiss of air, and then Khonnir Baine tumbles out of the pod and into Hekau's arms.

His body shakes violently, and he's entirely dead weight, clearly unable to support himself. When he looks up at you, Hekau, there is a glimmer of recognition, but he's unable to make any intelligible speech.

Tyn rushes over to give a quick health assessment-as well as aid, if necessary-to the newly found individual.

heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"Easy there! Take it slowly..."

"Mr. Khonnir!" Zelvin cries out, crowding in with everyone else to try and help him out of the machine. Whirling his head around in search of anything that might be useful, his eyes settle on the waterskin and rations that Xaerai has discovered. "I don't know how long you've been inside that box, sir, but I reckon you've likely got a powerful hunger and thirst. Take it easy, go slow-- what am I saying, you know this, you're the one who is always saying that to me!" He brings his father figure the food and drink almost gingerly, like he's not sure if Baine will even accept it. "We're going to get you out of here, and you'll be all right now, you'll see!"

Hekau helps Zelvin extricate Khonnir from the machine.

"Khonnir Baine. It is good to see that you are still alive.
It appears that an ailment or injury is impairing your mental functioning.
Master Kyte may be able to heal you. We will take you to him."

Hekau won't focus on the various technological objects just yet, but when he gets around to it:
small device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
wand: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
injector: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
canisters: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
bandages: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

"Ah Hells, he looks like he's been through the wringer," Xaerai gasps when the wizard tumbles out of the box, shuddering and moaning. Forgetting about the various knicknacks she's discovered, the dwarf hurries over and helps ease him up onto one of the raised beds in the room.

"He ain't gonna make it through the lake like this. Hekau, Shesik, help me see if any of this might heal 'em up some."
Taking 10 to aid Hekau's engineering.

Hurrying back with the medical items, she offers them to Tyn. [b]"Will these help?"[/ooc]

As Hekau releases Khonnir Baine from the strange sarcophagus, Shesik glances over at the more mundane items strewn about the desks. ”Looks like this stuff might be Master Blaine’s kit.”

Sweeping up the healing potions and the antitoxin, she holds them out to Tyn. ”He doesn’t look so good. Maybe one of these will help.”

Knowledge(engineering): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 Clicking device
Knowledge(engineering): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 Wand
Knowledge(engineering): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Injector
Knowledge(engineering): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Canisters
Knowledge(engineering): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Bandages

With a glance over at the more technological devices, she shakes her head. ”Nothing I recognize there. Usually I’d just grab stuff like that and bring it back to sell to folks like Khonnir.”

"Let us take all that we have found. With time, we may be able to identify it.
This potion can heal basic tissue injuries," notes Hekau, referencing the Potion of Cure Light Wounds.

"It cannot heal more extensive systemic damage. Tyn, can you tell us more about Khnonnir Baine's condition?"
Basically, wondering if it is HP damage, ability damage, ability drain, or something else.

I'll post a more detailed rundown later, but Khonnir has, for lack of a better term, been undergoing near constant torture ever since he failed to return. There are other effects, but he presently has high amounts of both Dex and Int damage (more than 10 each, I'll post the exact numbers later today).

"We've got to get Mister Khonnir back to Torch, where he can start to recover!" Zelvin frets. "I'm thinkin' we tie a rope to him, and then some of us swim up with the other end. When they get there, they can start haulin' him up quicker through the water than if we were trying to swim with him alone. The others will guide him, hopefully it won't take long, as I reckon he can't hold his breath very well in this state."

Having now recovered from my own bit of Dex and Con damage, I can report that Tyn is able to identify that Khonnir is suffering from some kind of affliction, and presently has 13 and 12 points of ability damage to his Dexterity and Intelligence, respectively. He is also at 0 hit points and staggered.

Khonnir, shaking and muttering, seizes on Zelvin's hands, looking into the boy's eyes. For one moment, there's a sign of the person both of his sons know, and then it passes.

Shesik watches the enfeebled old man, trying to reconcile the figure before her with the tales she has heard. ”Perhaps we can bring him back to the shore down here and send one of us up to get help from Master Kyte? He may have a potion or scroll or wand or something that might help.” She looks over her shoulder at they way they came in. ”Or maybe just a scroll of waterbreathing that we could use to bring Khonnir back up through the pond?”

"I think the potion Hekau now carries is a good start..."

Tyn accepts the healing potion from Hekau, absorbs it into the biological sac within his body, and delivers it via Touch Injection.

Healing potion: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Does somebody want to update the loot tracker with all of the items from that post (minus one CLW potion)? I do this for another game but don't really want to take it on in this case, as it can be a bit of work.

"I concur, Shesik. Given the damage to his mental faculties, Khonnir Baine may not understand what is happening if we attempt to bring him through the water-filled passage. He may interpret it as an attempt to drown him and fight us.
I recommend we bring Khonnir Baine towards the passage, and then send Zelvin for help. My brother is more trusted by the population of the town than I am.
If we had the ability to wait another day, I could prepare a spell to partially restore Khonnir Baine's mind."
Spell Sage trickery for Lesser Restoration.
"But time may be of the essence."

Returning Khonnir to the surface is an ordeal. Fortunately, Master Kyte had a scroll of water breathing prepared in the hope that there would indeed be someone to rescue who would need it.

"This is all I've got, I'm afraid," he tells Zelvin, pressing the waterproof scroll case into the young man's hands. "But you and your friends have already pulled off one miracle. I'll be waiting for you at the pond's edge."

Once again, Zelvin dives into the stinking waters, but by then the party has made their way to where they open into the caverns. Khonnir is cooperative, though still insensible.

Here's the big moment of truth, folks: I'm not going to sweat whether a scroll is arcane or divine, because that's a pain in the butt, but it will still need a DC 6 caster level check from Hekau or Zelvin.

I'll give it a try, but I think this is more Hekau's thing so if we both succeed we should treat it as his success instead of Zelvin's! :)

Caster Level check (DC 6): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

"Well done, Zelvin. You have done a great service for Khonnir Baine. And your arcane skill is progressing remarkably."

Xaerai lets Zelvin and Hekau assist the injured wizard back toward the complex's entrance while she watches their backs, alert for any new dangers that might menace the group.

As the others ascend through the disgusting water one by one Xaerai goes last, crawling up onto dry land and dumping out her boots. "Back up, give them some space," she admonishes the onlookers crowding a bit too close.

Master Kyte hesitates for a moment when you resurface, as if he can't quite believe his own eyes, but quickly backs up Xaerai's commands. "As she says! If you're not here to help, go about your own business!"

He meets you at the shore with Val, and the two of them help haul Khonnir out of the water. Initially, Kyte leads the party towards the Temple of Brigh, but the growing murmur of onlookers causes him to reconsider. You turn back to the Baine home.

Standing on the pebbled beach of the Weeping Pond, Shesik scrapes oily residue from her body as she watches the muted Baine family reunion a few feet away. Thoughts of her own lonely childhood run through her mind. Must be nice to have a family like that.

Assisting Xaerai in keeping the crowd at bay she quietly comments to the adopted brothers. ”In the morning we should be able to get your father back into shape. Hopefully he’ll be able to shed some light on what’s going on down there.”

As she shrinks away from the attention of the crowd Shesik grimaces and her thoughts turn inward. And hopefully nothing follows us out of that place while we rest. All of that space underneath the town, who knows what else is down there. Maybe we should suggest guards on the pool overnight?

"No, autographs, please...there'll be plenty of time for that at a later date! We'll keep you posted. For now, it would be best for you all to return to your homes, light a candle and offer your prayers to your respective deities for the complete recovery of the honorable Khonnir Baine!"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Hekau is, as usual, emotionless. He does seem to know what is expected behavior, and puts on an awkward facade of emotions as he tries to reassure Val. "I am pleased that we were able to rescue Khonnir Baine, without losing any of our number, though his current condition is unfortunate. I see that it causes you distress and I will seek a solution."

"Tyn, may I request that you accompany us? I believe you have some knowledge of the healing arts that may be useful."

Specifically thinking of the "Provide Long-Term Care" use of the Heal skill to accelerate recovery of ability points.

Zelvin is beside himself with worry, attempting to reassure himself as much as Val and Khonnir Baine as they transport him back to his workshop. "Now don't you worry none, Master Kyte will help get you all fixed up, no mistake. Let's get you settled down and some water and good food in your insides, Mr. Khonnir. You're safe now."

With a final nervous glance at the water, Xaerai follows her companions, but pauses to grab the sleeves of one of Torch's citizens. "Your town's got neighbors--not so many as you did two days ago, and not all of the ones left are hostile, but it might be worth posting a couple of guards here to keep an eye on things." She lets the man go. "Just a thought."

Back at the Baine residence, the dwarf parks herself in a corner out of the way, though if called upon she hops up to boil water, fetch supplies, or run messages.

Though feeling his skill is "dwarfed" by that of the ever-present Master Kyte, Tyn is flattered by the android's vote of confidence,

"I would be honored, Hekau!"

"Aye," says the man accosted by Xaerai, nodding. "We'll get some of the boys to stand watch over the pond tonight."

Val, distraught by the sight of their adoptive father, feels reassured by Hekau's efforts to soothe her feelings, despite how uncomfortable they both might otherwise feel. She smiles up at him, wiping at her eyes. "Thanks, Hekau. I'm just glad you're all safe."

Back in the home, you lay Khonnir down into his own bed for the first time in days. Master Kyte stands watch over him through the night, praying to Brigh to lift his friend's affliction, but finds that it resists her blessings.

Int damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Lesser Restoration #1, Int: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Lesser Restoration #2, Int: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Lesser Restoration #3, Int: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Lesser Restoration #4, Int: 1d4 ⇒ 2 That brings him to 6 Int damage, so much improved. His Dex damage will reduce to 12 overnight.

Remove Disease #1: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 5 = 5
Remove Disease #2: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 5 = 13
Remove Disease #3: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 5 = 5

In the morning, Kyte pulls you all aside for a whispered conversation, with occasional glances back towards the door to Khonnir's room.

"Whatever they did to him down there, it's like nothing I've ever seen. Hell, this morning he was in worse shape than when you pulled him out. Now, I can treat the symptoms, but I think that, unless we find a genuine cure, whatever this is is just going to keep attacking his mind."

"Master Kyte, are you saying he's suffering from some manner of disease?" Xaerai's eye's widen at the implications for their own group, and the town overall.

"If it is a disease that Master Kyte has not seen before, then its cure may be located in the place where we found Khonnir Baine.
It may even be among some of these technological items that we found."

Hekau will present the selection of technological items to Master Kyte, and shares what he knows of the function of the identified ones.

"I am willing to return to that place to seek a cure."

Kyte nods in answer to Xaerai's question. "That's my best guess. You might not need to venture down into the caves just yet, though. There's a man in town, name of Sanvil Trett. He's a traveling merchant, comes through here every so often, buying and selling various technological items. Nice enough man, with fair prices, and it's possible he's seen something of this nature before. Worth talking to, I reckon."

"There's no telling what those heathen machines did to this man! Although it's good you can keep him stable, it is unnacceptable to leave him in this condition for any longer than absolutely necessary. What say you kids...find and talk to this Trett post haste?"

Rubbing her hands up and down her arms Shesik shudders. ”Anything is better than going for another swim in the weeping pond. I could use a break from that oily nastiness.” There’s a pause and she continues under her breath, ”and those disconcerting metal corridors.”

She straightens with renewed purpose, ”Fine, let’s go visit this Sanvil Trett and see if he’s acquired anything useful.”

Xaerai's mouth drops open when Master Kyte suggests their group speak to this merchant. "But--what if we're carrying the same sickness, and that merchant carries it to the next town over?"

"I believe that unlikely, Xaerai. But I believe I can provide greater clarity on Khonnir Baine's affliction."

Accessing divine magic database... processing...
He concentrates for a moment, then his nanite circuitry flickers as he begins to cast.

Hekau sacrifices two prepared 1st-level spells (let's say it was two Vanish spells) to cast Diagnose Disease from the Cleric list.

"Zelvin, Tyn, Xaerai - if any of you could examine these devices we found, you may be able to identify their function. It is possible that Sanvil Trett could identify them. However, on the remote chance that they can cure Khonnir Baine's affliction, then it is better to identify them as soon as possible."

"I have identified a medlance and a brown nanite hypogun. These are medical items, although only delivery mechanisms."

Remaining items:
A small device that clicks when activated, Engineering DC 27
A pair of brown canisters, Engineering 25
A pair of bandages, Engineering 23

"If we are to venture back into the ruins of the otherworldly ship to search for a cure, I think it reasonable to utilize Khonnir Baine's gear to increase our chances of survival."

We should divide up the gear to make it clear who is carrying what. Hekau would like the Wand of Magic Missile (CL 3, 44 charges) and the scrolls of Detect Radiation and Unseen Servant.
He already has Technomancy in his spellbook, so Zelvin may want that scroll. Although he will of course offer his spellbook for Zelvin to copy spells.

While watching Khonnir Baine anxiously, Zelvin idly examines the items to see if he has any insights.

Knowledge (engineering) DC 27: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Knowledge (engineering) DC 25: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Knowledge (engineering) DC 23: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Zelvin will gladly carry the technomancy scroll in case they need it quickly. If we think we need him to be able to prepare it, he'll copy it from Hekau's spellbook-- but not yet since it's (relatively) expensive to do so.

"All right, let's see what this Trett stranger can do for us," he says somewhat reluctantly. "If we've got the same sickness, we need to find a cure as quick as we can."

When they meet Trett, Zelvin tries to make a good impression by complimenting his wares. "Some mighty fine devices you got here. Maybe you heard we brought back my adopted pa in sorely delicate condition?" He sketches Khonnir Baine's symptoms. "You ever heard of anything that fixes that kind of sickness?"

Diplomacy if necessary: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Noticing Zelvin's apparent success, Tyn takes a look at the other two,

"Lemme take a gander..."

Knowledge (engineering) DC 27: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Knowledge (engineering) DC 23: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

He shakes his head and just sighs at himself.

Engineering DC27: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Engineering DC23: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 Success!

Reassured by Hekau's diagnostic magics, Xaerai agrees that talking to Trett is probably okay.

"Excellent. We have two canisters of nanites for our Brown Nanite Hypogun essentially 20 CLW charges, and two doses of Grade 1 Hemochem each gives Fast Healing 1 for 1 minute. We have a Medlance that can allow for more rapid application of potions or similar liquids."
Does the Medlance work with extracts? Would be great for Tyn if so, allowing move-action buffing as long as it was pre-loaded.

Hekau will hang back quietly when the party is talking to Trett. Social interaction is not a strength of his.

Medlance: Yes, though like other extracts, he would need the infusion discovery to administer them to someone other than himself.

Hekau's spell reveals what you may have already suspected: in their derangement, the medical drones that held Khonnir captive injected him with a serum designed for an alien species. The nanites delivered with the injection are trying to "heal" the man's brain, but are instead only causing additional damage.

Being interrupted, but I'll have a post up for your visit to Trett in a bit.

The party finds Trett at his stall, as expected, just as he's finishing a transaction with another local. Their business concluded, he looks up and past them to his next customer, and his eyes widen in excited recognition. He rushes forward to shake each of your hands, grinning wildly.

"Khonnir's boys! And their friends! I have to say, I've been hoping you'd come by my shop sooner or later! If you need to buy something, I'm your man. If you find any artifacts in those tunnels you want to sell, or even just learn what they are, I can help with that, too! Please, please browse my stock!"

Only here does he pause long enough to take a breath, but he seems like he could go on for some time.

Hekau stands back and watches, waiting for Zelvin or one of his new friends to speak to the merchant.

Clearing her throat, Xaerai glances at Zelvin and Hekau uncertainly before plunging ahead.

"Master Trett, pleased t'make your acquaintance. I'm Xaerai of Clan Stormforge and we're hoping you might be able to help us with a problem. You see, we found Master Khonnir down there, but he was the prisoner of a robot--it might've been for healing once upon a time, but it's gone all wrong now and we think it might've hurt him somehow, 'an still be hurtin' him. It gave him a big dose of nanites, or something like 'em, not made for humankind. Can you help us fix the old man?"

Quietly standing at the back with Hekau, watches as Xaerai takes point on their introductions. Her eyes wander from the talkative shopkeeper to the collection of oddities displayed around them.

Sanvil takes a step back and strokes his chin, thinking. "I'd heard about that...no details, mind you. But Torch is a small town, you know how it is. Luckily enough for you and Mr. Baine, I am a man of uncommon resources."

He turns his back to the party and starts rummaging around in a bag, pulling out all manner of strange and bizarre technological items until he produces a small handheld device that looks oddly like a firearm. Atop it is a clear vial filled with a yellow liquid. He turns back and holds it out proudly.

"This here's a vitality serum, and I think it should do the trick. You just press this end here to his neck, hold it firmly, and pull the trigger." He lets you examine it, but does not hand it over just yet.

"I won't lie, these are rare and hard to find, so I can't just hand it over, even for Mr. Baine. But, if y'all promise to come to me first with any technological treasures you find down there, I'll sell it to you at a discount. I'll pay better than any of the other merchants in town, too."

Translation: Sanvil will sell you the vitality serum for 400gp instead of 500gp if you give him first right of refusal on any tech salvage you want to sell. He'll also pay 60% of the price of any tech items you sell, instead of 50%.

"That's a mighty reasonable offer there, Master Sanvil. I hope the Baine boys won't mind my speaking for the group when I say we accept. Whatever we find and want to sell--you get first look." She extends a hand to shake.

What's our money situation? Can we buy it on the spot?