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The Pathfinder Society dispatches its best agents when it receives word from the Woodsedge Lodge of a mysterious anomaly in the magical pathway known as the Maze of the Open Road. Travelling through the maze, the agents find themselves a world away from home. Only by learning the source of the anomaly can the Pathfinder Society hope to regain full use of one of its most important tools for transportation. However, a secret that spans an unfathomable amount of time rests at the heart of the dangerous expedition.
Dr Talos has a waxed mustache and sharp eyebrows. His sallow skin glitters from time to time, as if it contains flecks of polychrome just under the surface. His expression isn't that of a man's, but rather a mannequin's: it never changes. Rather, his face tilts around in the light, using shadows to achieve the appearance of life and emotion. Some kind of intricate, rose-gold tattooing runs all the way from his forearms to the pads of his soft fingertips.
Today he wears a wide-brimmed sun hat; he carries his shortsword in hand and idly lops the heads of flowers as he walks through the maze.
A new day! Still alive. Time to eat and defecate and find the anomalies in the garden — all that! Swish, Swish. Flower-heads fall to the ground. He extends a delicate, well-manicured hand. I am Dr. Talos.
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A muscular Shoanti woman dressed for life in the wilderness stands nearby. As Dr. Talos speaks of eating and defecating, she raises an eyebrow but does not comment. She pushes her hair aside, briefly revealing a slightly pointed ear.
Beside her is a tiny plant creature: a leaf leshy. It cheerfully walks up to the doctor, extending a stick-like hand to the man. With cheerful enthusiasm it says, "Hi, I'm Sprig and this is Brynn. She grew me! I'm 9 weeks old. At least I think so. Brynn keeps telling me you humans don't recognize time the same way, so I might be off slighty. It's nice to meet you, even if you cut the heads off those flowers. Do you smell that? That's the smell of plants screaming in pain. Did you know that the smell of cut grass is a warning to other grasses?"
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A large stocky goblin enters the room. Definitely not typically sized for his race.
"Hey Dere, Bear Man here. Gudtameetcha."
Bair Mann seems to be some sort of blend of goblin and another goblinoid. The oily green and yellow tinted skin indicate maybe some sort of bugbear and goblin mix? Best not think too hard about it.
And for a goblin, it is quite odd that he has hair. Looking closely though it doesn't quite seem real. He runs his hand through it surveying the pathfinders and it springs right back into shape.
He also raises a bare skinned eye-ridge at the sword use from the tall human, "Don likahda flowahs? I geddit, sum trahd ta eet me cuppla tahms too."
Talos looks at the sword in his hand, as if surprised to find it there. Quite the contrary, Bear Man. I am ambivalent to the flowers, perhaps as I have never been eaten by one. An idle habit. It has no deeper significance.
He cocks his head and sniffs. Screams? I smell no screams, Sprig. He peers down at the leshy, cocking his head left and right. Do you suffer from synesthesia? Perhaps I can help. Further, I wonder if the cows know —
Finally, he notices the holly and mistletoe. Ah.
He sheathes the sword. But in a few minutes, his idle hands start to fidget…
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Clan Thunderstriker has a long history with the Pathfinder Society; Iarann is the fourth of his name. Like most of the Thunderstriker clan, he's a walking cliche. His masterfully crafted armor looks well worn, with hammered out dents making up the majority of the plates. His adventuring gear is similarly worn, and smells of dirt and beef jerky. The double-bitted axe across his back is obviously magical, as it's thing on his person that looks brand new and shiny.
The dwarf himself is a bit unkempt. His dun colored hair mingles with his beard, and the whole visage is split with a wry grin as dangerous as the Worldwound.
His eyes go wide at the leshy, "TORAG'S TAINT! I never get used to you. Sorry Brynn, sorry Sprig. Good ta see ya though."
When the good Dr. Talos waxes academic, Iarann gets deadly serious. He grasps the doctor's shoulders and looks at him with really deadly seriousness, "Sir... Understand this.... the cows know." His eyes go wide as he punctuates his sentence. He steps back, and places his arms akimbo. "HA! I'm just messin wit ya. I don't have the friggin foggiest clue what the hells you're talking about."
He turns to Bair and he raises but one eyebrow (hard to tell given the mop of hair), "Sup?"
Talos twitches his mouth. Almost like a smile. Simply put, it is a I have no mouth and I must scream situation with the grass, which is cropped by the teeth of the cruel cow… so posits Sprig. Don't worry, Iarann. The garden smells lovely and ignorance is bliss!
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"It's good to see you again too, Iarann," Brynn says, smiling at the dwarf. "And I'm sure Sprig is more than happy to see you too, hair and all."
The leshy isn't actually paying attention to Iarann or Doctor Talos anymore, but has instead drifted over to Bair. "Are you really a bear? Because Brynn is great at bear talking. She had a bear as a friend once. Named Robb. But he left to go start a family." Quieter, and in a conspiratorial voice the leshy adds, "Brynn always said Robb was stubborn. I think that means he never listened."
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At nearly the last minute, a flushed half-orc comes running up. It seems I am just in time, he says stoically as he tries to catch his breath. Iarann. Brynn. It is good to meet again, old friends.
He then turns to Bair, to Talos, and to Nina in turn. I am pleased to meet, new friends. I am Jaqard Tahti, pupil of the disciplines of Jalmeray, under the Great Teacher, Qi Lo Ni. To whom have I the honor of speaking?
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At Bair's words the leshy looks doubtful. It shrugs, then wanders to Nina.
With its perpetual cheer, Sprig speaks up to the meditating woman. "Hi! I'm Sprig! I'm 10 weeks old," it says before looking down at the feather Nina holds. "Did you lose your friend? Are we going to find them? Is that what we're doing?"
Brynn hurries over to her familiar, ushering them back to give the noblewoman some space. "Sorry about that. Sprig is a curious one, but one of the things I've struggled to instill is the notion of 'boundaries'"
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Pathfinders hustle about the grounds of Woodsedge Lodge, checking in, mustering in units, unloading and delivering supplies, cooking, and socializing. The atmosphere is tense but excited. The Maze of the Open Road is a place of legend that few Pathfinders have had the honor of traversing. Once dangerous, the Maze was recently repaired by Eliza Petulengro of the Decemvirate, and news that the Maze is once again malfunctioning has led to intense speculation among the gathering Pathfinders. Cutting through chaos and gossip alike, Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau takes the lead, ensuring everyone gathers in their assigned units and tends to their duties.
Several of the Venture-Captains and Faction Heads have some preparation tasks for you.
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Verdant Wheel faction leader Urwal walks amid the gathered Pathfinders. He checks each person’s face before shaking his head and moving on to the next. “There are Pathfinders unaccounted for. Although the upcoming mission will be dangerous, Galt is not a land it would do to get lost in. Find our wayward companions and bring them here so no one gets left behind.”
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Horizon Hunters faction leader Calisro Benarry clutches at her stomach as it grumbles loudly. “Just in time! I’m starving! Go lend the Lodge’s serving staff a hand so everyone can have a proper meal before this mission gets underway. We can’t set out on an empty stomach!”
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Ashasar stands outside a magnificent hedge maze, examining it with interest. “This is the fabled Maze of the Open Road. Our divinations indicate the maze’s misalignment is due to an outside source beyond the maze and not a problem with the maze itself. Still, I prefer to conduct a second assessment to ensure nothing’s changed. I’d like you to assist by gathering magical readings—just don’t enter the maze!”
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Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau proffers a long list of names. “I’ve organized all the Pathfinders into teams of between four and six agents. Take this list and help everyone gather in their assigned units.”
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Head Initiate Janira Gavix smiles and waves at the sight of the PCs, then hurries over to say hello. “Do you have a second to lend me a hand? I brought along a few dozen newly graduated Pathfinders, but they’re worried about the upcoming mission. I know they’re ready for this, but the scale of it all is setting them on edge. Could you talk to the rookies? Some conversation and encouragement will help settle their nerves.”
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Vigilant Seal faction leader Eando Kline sifts through crates and wagons, divvying gear up into piles. “Help me sort this equipment according to the supply list, then deliver it to the assembling teams. We need to ensure everyone is well equipped for the upcoming mission.”
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[ dice=Nature, Perception, Survival]1d20+?[/dice]
[ dice=Cooking Lore, Society, Survival]1d20+?[/dice]
[ dice=Arcana, Nature, Occultism, Religion]1d20+?[/dice]
[ dice=Diplomacy, Perception, Society]1d20+?[/dice]
[ dice=Deception, Diplomacy, Performance]1d20+?[/dice]
[ dice=Athletics, Society, Survival]1d20+?[/dice]
”Come out, come out wherever you are!” Talos leaps from the shadows, looking for missing Pathfinders.
He ignores Bennary’s pleas for a meal. ”The flesh is weak. I derive much of my energy from a font of inner will.”.
He slinks away from Ashasar because the suli is standing next to a pile of decapitated flowers.
He tries to motivate pathfinders to muster efficiently. ”Your chances of avoiding a gruesome death are 2% higher if you’re willing to sign in on time. And it looks like you need every chance you can get.”
He moves on to Janira’s group of recruits. His grin is as bright and sterile as his favorite scalpel. ”I’m a real doctor. That’s why it's in my name.” He shows them how to use a tourniquet. “Have you ever seen an inter-dimensional portal snap shut on someone who’s partway through?”
Finally, he tries to help Kline. ”I am an actual human of many talents, but this grueling labor will ruin my delicate hands!
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Escort
Bair introduces a half-orc that has been standing in the shadows, watching over the activities, "Dis bee Danuh, he trakkuh I pay. Danuh, you hep find da goys?"
Last Meal
"Anduh makus sum grub? I's hungreh."
Magical Investigations
"Dis nawt look raight. It nawt nashural."
Mustering
"ALRIGHT YOU PUNKS GET IN LINE! YOU OVAH DERE AND YOU DERE AND I SAID GET IN LIIIIIIIINNNNEEEEE!!!!"
Reassurance
"Listen youse guyz, dis ain't no thing at all. Look at me, I've been on a ton of missions and my hair is still pristine. Like, it's barely even a tough thing at all to go on these things. Barely nobody ever dies."
Feel bad lyin, but dey gotta be confident or dey gonna die quick.
Supplies
"Dis easeh, I didn't get dese muscles movin' papuhs."
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Brynn and Sprig set to the tasks put before them.
"Hello! I'm Sprig. I'm 12 weeks old? Are you a missing Pathfinder?"
Sprig turns their back towards Brynn, showing a series of berries. The druid begins picking some, working magic into each. She hands them to the serving staff. "Each berry is the equivalent of a partial meal. You'll find that this will go a long way towards feeling people. But I can help you with finding more berries and game as necessary."
Brynn takes a deep breath, taking in the scent of the wildness within the Maze. She then does her best to share what she knows of the nature behind the nature. "It's not easy to explain, but let me see if I can..."
Brynn and Sprig do their best to spot any Pathfinders with an uncertain expression, and set to pointing them in the right direction for mustering.
Brynn and Sprig head over to see the new initiates, intent on giving them something of a pep talk. But it quickly becomes evident to Brynn that Sprig's enthusiasm and simplicity are all she really needs to convey. After all, if a tiny leaf leshy can serve out in the wild with a powerful Pathfinder, why not them?
Brynn takes a hands-on approach, helping move and lift crates and equipment for the mission.
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Jaqard nods, doing his best to point out stragglers he sees.
No one seems at all interested in the bland fare Jaqard typically ingests.
The half-orc knows little about magic, but he does indicate where things appear less than natural.
He doesn't have the smoothness of Dr. Talos, nor the vocal approach of Bair.
I am hoping today is not yours for the Boneyard. He is not helpful.
MISTER KLINE, SIR! SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, SIR! OF COURSE I WILL BE GLAD TO HELP OUT IN ANY WAY I CAN! PLEASE AUTOGRAPH MY WAYFINDER FOR ME, AND IGNORE THE IMAGE OF YOU KEPT SAFELY INSIDE, SIR!
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Once Bair, Jaqard, and Bain locate several missing Pathfinders, Urwal is no where to be found. However, a satchel containing some moderate healing potions was left where he last talked to you, with your names on it.
Relying totally on Bair's hunting skills the team gathers up some rabbits and root vegetables to make a solid meal. "Excellent! Been a while since I've had a good stew!" proclaims Calisro Benarry, her stomach growling.
Ashasar thanks Bair and Brynn for their magical insight. "Your investigations should enable the Pathfinder teams to more safely navigate the maze. Thank you."
He offers you the choice of one of the following:
- murderer’s knot
- swift block cabochon
- scroll of fly
- 4th-level scroll of restoration.
Venture-Captain Armaline thanks Dr. Talos, Bair, and Brynn for their help in mustering, as with their help, the teams are not assembling in a more orderly fashion. This instills a lingering sense of responsibility for their fellow agents.
Janira is ecstatic to watch Dr. Talos and Brynn try and re-assure the junior Pathfinders, but immediate rushes to Bair to give him a hug after his exceptional performance! "That's right, hardly anyone ever dies... and that's not even always permanent!"
"You sorted the supplies most adequately. Jaqard, you definitely met expectations." says Eando Kline.
- moderate antidote
- moderate antiplague
- moderate cheetah's elixir
- moderate eagle eye elixir
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Iarann looks about at the chaos. He inhales deeply through his nose. Once he filters out the smell of breakfast crumbs stuck in his beard, he gets the aroma he so enjoys - adventure! The hustle and bustle kicks up the dirt on the ground, the checking of weapons gives the air a metallic sting, the preponderance of magic-users brings... something else.
Torag's Taint I love this.
Escort
Last Meal
Magical Investigations
Mustering
Reassurance
Supplies
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Bair pulls in his allies and asks, "Hey dere, dat fly tingy sounds gud. But issa magiks an I done do dat. Anybuddeh wanna hep me fly?"
He also collects his purchased items (potion and 2x scrolls of lvl 1 soothe) at the general store and hands two scrolls to Brynn, "Dees oneohdem healy nashure spells. Canyuh holdem case I needum anya got nuttin else tado? Tanks!"
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A hush falls over the gathered Pathfinders as Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau ascends a podium erected outside the entrance to the Maze of the Open Road. “Welcome to Woodsedge, Pathfinders! Thank you for coming. As many of you know, the Maze of the Open Road is an interdimensional pathway built long ago by Forest King Narven Feathereyes as a gift for the Society. Time was not kind to the maze, but thanks to the efforts of Eliza Petulengro and other Pathfinders, it was repaired.
“Recently, the maze’s paths realigned and now all point to a single location. Our investigations indicate this isn’t a problem with the Maze of the Open Road but an outside source—a beacon—that’s attracting the paths. The maze is of critical importance to many missions and must remain available. Our mission is to fix this strange anomaly.
“We traverse the Maze of the Open Road to an unknown destination. Although this is an exciting opportunity to explore new horizons, our mission is not exploration. Our mission is to find the beacon and sever its connection to the Maze of the Open Road. Prepare yourselves! We leave shortly.”
After a few minutes to allow for any last-second preparations, Venture-Captain Jirneau leads the assembled Pathfinders into the Maze of the Open Road. ”Stay close, we won’t be here long.”
Armeline guides the Pathfinders through the maze with confidence, while Eando Kline, faction leader of the Vigilant Seal, takes the rear, ensuring no Pathfinders get left behind. Armeline hesitates only a moment before plunging through a shimmering portal, out of the Maze and into the unknown.
Following her lead, the Pathfinders arrive in a large stone chamber with red stone walls and polished tan floor tiles, lit by a luminous arch rising from a central raised platform. The chamber has three side chambers and one exit. “Fan out, Pathfinders!” Venture-Captain Armeline orders. “Secure the area.”
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Brynn looks over the scrolls given to her by Bair, then shakes her head. "If you got these from the quartermaster, return them for healing scrolls. This magic is foreign to me."
For her part, she takes a scroll who's magic will make her skin like stone.
Finally, she takes a minute to work through a lengthy calling of natural power, filling her body with positive energy. She then draws more power from nature, magically lengthening her stride.
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You make your way into the large chamber, and make your way around, investigating everything. The red stone walls are freezing to the touch; the air is bitingly cold. You shiver and look around the area, noting several side chambers. and a massive glowing arch.
Dressing Chamber: Three rows of wooden hooks protrude from the stone walls in a line around the perimeter of this side chamber, one row at 3 feet above the ground, one at 5, and one at 9. A black wood bench is in the chamber’s center. Bair realizes this is a dressing chamber, which would have held clothes for creatures varying from Small to Large in size.
Ablution Chamber: This side chamber contains a fountain that pours water into a large stone washing basin. The water is clean, clear, and tastes metallic. Jaqard and Nina realize this is an ablution
chamber, used to ritually wash before entering a sacred space.
Eternity Arch: The arch in the chamber’s center is 15 feet wide, 25 feet tall, and constructed of a luminous crystal that sheds bright light. Nina determines the arch is a powerful artifact with a connection to another plane.
Ashasar is impressed that she has been able to ascertain this.
Ovoid Vault: The entrance to this ovoid chamber is only partially blocked by a circular stone door, which slides in and out of the wall. The red stone chamberis completely curved, with no angles or hard edges
anywhere. The chamber is empty, but Bair, Nina, and Brynn see a large grey and blue container in the center, similar to a sarcophagus, constructed from metal and glass. Brynn touches the box after Sprig rushed in to jump onto it. She hears words—“for,” “me,” “no,” “run,” and “wait”. Then, the box flickers out of sight.
Nina believes the box was a temporal malfunction—the box exists in another time and shouldn’t
have been visible at all.
Exit: The chamber’s massive exit door is made of pitchblack stone. On the other side of the door (the side that faces the next room), there are six faintly glowing glyphs.
- SANCTUM GUARDIANS
- PATHFINDER FOUND
- TIME TRAVEL
- LIBRARY
- ASCENSION
Talos is intrigued by the temporal anomaly. What was in the box? Nevermind, I don't want to know. Let's deal with something made of flesh and bone.
Talos draws his silver rapier and cold iron shortsword. These are the corporeal problems I excel at solving. He tries to stick to the shadows in order to offer a surprise to anyone attacking them.
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A deep pit partially filled with bones sits at the center of this circular chamber. Rising from the platform hanging over the pit is a single central pillar, which stretches up to the ceiling. Doors line the chamber’s perimeter, but the north and west doors are sealed. You hear a woman's voice calling out, “Heraxia? Heraxia, where are you?”
The pit is 25 feet deep, and appears to be a difficult climb. You do think that jumping it might be easier than normal, as you all feel much lighter than you normally do! On a platform over the central pit is a stone pillar. The doors, other than the one you entered through, are closed.
Talos performs no ablutions.
--
He tiptoes into the room, using his trap sense to keep alert for tricks while he sticks to the shadows.
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Bair looks around, but cannot find the source. There seems to be no one in the room, and no where the voice could be coming from. When Bair looks down into the pit, he sees that it is filled with humanoid skeletons of varying sizes.
Checking out the room, it seems clear to everyone except Jaqard and Nina, that the doors are locked, and can only be opened by turning the pillar in the center. It would take a bit* of effort to do so.
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Bair moves to the pillar, and with his mighty goblin arms, turns the massive stone structure. As he does, the doors to the north and west open, revealing some sort of metal creature behind each one, and Bair hears another standing up from the pile of bones below! They all appears posed to attack!
6
1
4
2
7
9
3
5
8
- => Brynn
- => Iarann
- Metal Man 1
- Dr Talos
- Metal Man 2
- Bair
- Jaqard
- Metal Man 3
- Nina
U = Unconscious
S = Surprised
D = Delay
Conditions:
Bair: 122/122
Brynn: 96/96
Sprig: 40/40
Dr Talos: 85/85
Iarann: 127/127
Jaqard: 112/112
Nina: 64/64
Enemies:
1:
2:
3:
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Action 1: Stride
Action 2-3: Gust of Wind
Brynn takes a few steps in, moving in front of Jaqard. She holds up the palm of her hand, chanting as she does so. Finishing her invocation, she blows a breath of air over her palm, manifesting a powerful gust of wind that rushes across the room!
To the group she says, "Focus on bringing one down first! I'll try to hold one of them back!"
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Iarann's axe cuts deep into the metallic person, but not nearly as deeply as he would have expected. His second blow KRWANGS off ot the steel plate of the person's armor.
The metal man #1 starts climbing up from the bottom of the pit.
It rapidly ascends the pit, making its way out.
- x Brynn
- x Iarann
- x Metal Man 1
- => Dr Talos
- Metal Man 2
- Bair
- Jaqard
- Metal Man 3
- Nina
U = Unconscious
S = Surprised
D = Delay
Conditions:
Bair: 122/122
Brynn: 96/96
Sprig: 40/40
Dr Talos: 85/85
Iarann: 127/127
Jaqard: 112/112
Nina: 64/64
Enemies:
1:
2:
3: -17
The latticework of tattoos blaze on the Doctor’s neck and forearms, shedding pale light. His face doesn't have muscles, but Talos tilts his head so the shadows wriggle across his waxy skin to make it seem like he’s grinning wide.
Critical Success Your marshal's aura increases to a 20-foot emanation, and it grants you and allies a status bonus to damage rolls equal to the number of weapon damage dice of the unarmed attack or weapon you are wielding that has the most weapon damage dice. When you or an ally in the aura critically hits an enemy with a Strike, that enemy is frightened 1.
Success As critical success, but your aura's size doesn't increase.
Failure You fail to enter the stance.
Critical Failure You fail to enter the stance and can't take this action again for 1 minute.
He slips around the mechanical man and jams his rapier into its circuitry. He wriggles it around for good measure, just to see what happens. Like any doctor would. How interesting.
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Dr Talos springs into action and is able to make his way past #3!!!
He strikes, but the heavy shell of the mechanical man deflects part of his attack!
#2 then stands up. It tries to push forward against the winds but cannot.
- x Brynn
- x Iarann
- x Metal Man 1
- x Dr Talos [Dread Marshall Stance]
- x Metal Man 2 [3]
- => Bair
- => Jaqard
- Metal Man 3
- Nina
U = Unconscious
S = Surprised
D = Delay
Conditions:
Bair: 122/122
Brynn: 96/96
Sprig: 40/40
Dr Talos: 85/85
Iarann: 127/127
Jaqard: 112/112
Nina: 64/64
Enemies:
1:
2:
3: -31
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Bair grunts, "Metah dudes? Prolleh no blud. Smashy time den."
He pulls out a long black metal chain and lets the heavy hammer head clunk to the ground before whipping it into motion. Darting around the long way, he sends the weapon flying at the enemy just after it climbs out of the pit.
for
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As Jaqard moves by, the metal man punches him!
His first strike fails to do any damage, as Jaqard learns that, apparently, they are immune to nonlethal damage.
His second attack, however, looks like it is going to miss, and at the last minute he stumbles and actually hits dealing some lethal damage.
The metal man that Dr Talos and Iarann are flanking then attacks Dr. Talos with its halberd!
It then swings again, and hits again, all without saying a word.
Finally, one of the plates on its shoulders extends, acting much like a shield!
- => Brynn
- => Iarann
- x Metal Man 1
- x Dr Talos [Dread Marshall Stance]
- x Metal Man 2
- x Bair
- x Jaqard
- x Metal Man 3 [AC up[
- => Nina
U = Unconscious
S = Surprised
D = Delay
Conditions:
Bair: 122/122
Brynn: 96/96
Sprig: 40/40
Dr Talos: 35/85
Iarann: 127/127
Jaqard: 97/112
Nina: 64/64
Enemies:
1: -6
2:
3: -31