[NostalgiaCon, PFS(2)] 3-99 Fate of the Future (Tier 5-6) (Inactive)

Game Master Blake's Tiger

Perhaps it is his height, or his lack of arms (just two), or his overconfident demeanor, but deep down, Little Wekk instinctually knows that he is not being well received, figuratively and literally out of his element. He shivers in his cold weather clothes, frumpy harsh fabrics and wools covering up his designer suit, and sulks just a little.

I'm going to call an audible since you used a consumable to adjust the difficulty of Little Wekk's attempt.

After Zhao Kang invokes the magic on his scroll into Knab's valet(?) (i.e., Knab), he turns his attention back to the four-armed hunters and begins at the beginning, trying to work out a simple hand sign vocabulary using examples of items and actions. The lead hunter seems to be beginning to understand.

Seelah's facial expression is not doing anything to help with the negotiations. Perhaps baring one's teeth is a sign of aggression or disrespect.

You notice that the hunters seem to be eyeing Griss with some attention or appreciation. They are saying something, but you do not understand what.

Little Wekk on the other hand begins speaking, but none of you understand what he is saying as he speaks the sounds the four-armed hunters are making. He also catches a little bit of what they were just saying...

The leader seems quite surprised when Little Wekk (i.e. Knab) begins speaking in their native language.

What follows is in Shobhad, but Little Wekk can easily switch back and forth in his language and translate.

"Finally! Someone who knows a civilized language," the leader of the hunters says. "I am Zaggarn. I lead this hunting party and am the representative of the shobhad-neh clans of the southern winterlands. We came here to investigate strange occurrences here at these cursed ruins. We are the descendants of those who survived the curse and have spent generations guarding this area in case the demon gods returned. You are strangers. Not like the red-skinned humans of the cities in the desert. I suspect you have been meddling with the things in these ruins and awoken the demons of the arch."

Success. I'll give you a chance to interact a bit more with them and gain a bit more context to what's going on in this scenario.

...A flare from the Eternal Arch cuts two material planes across different multiverses orthogonally for a moment, and Little Wekk sees GM Blake and says to him "His fence, not valet..."...

...the moment quickly passes and the flare dissipates...

Speaking plainly in common "Give Zaggarn my name and tell them that we are not familiar with the Curse that they speak of, but, that we emerged from these ruins through a portal known as the Eternal Arch, as part of a research team to investigate strange activity on our end. Also. Explain to them that we intend no malice, only seeking knowledge, and starting with asking them exactly where we have landed. Also, tell them that the current year is 4722 according to our calendar"

Knab adjusts his poor posture a bit here too, as if to match the expectation of being a "strong silent leader" - which they currently seem to belabor under the misconception of!

*Ahem*, Wekk can you ask for a description of these demon gods and what exactly they do here?"

Sadly, my internet went out and despite my attempting to copy all the text that I had just written, I apparently didn't... so I'm summarizing.

Zaggarn explains that long ago aliens from another world taught their ancestors and other people on Akiton to use the Arch of Eternity to send their minds to other worlds and times. The users' bodies were left behind, and many died of thirst or starved while they became lost in the adventures they were having in these virtual worlds. Over time, use of the arch was associated with holes in times opening and monsters from other worlds invading. Zaggarn's ancestors recognized the danger and fled the area. Once the society around the arch was ruined due to too many people losing themselves to the arch, too many monsters, and the chaos of the holes in time, they established an order to guard the area and prevent anyone from waking the arch. Recently, something has activated the Arch of Eternity and holes in time, strange voices, and strange beasts have returned, so Zaggarn came to investigate.

Later on after encountering the shobhad-neh, Ashasar gestures down a red stone hallway. “I’m detecting planar anomalies ahead. It might be the focus. Investigate please. I’ve a number of other anomalies to assess.”

As you proceed, following Ashasar's instruction, you feel time stretch and slow as they head down the hallway. Soon, moving feels like attempting to push through molasses or tar.

You hear the baying of hounds, then voices shouting, both feminine but one deeper than the other. “They’re coming, run!” and later, “No! Hold onto me! Don’t let... No!”

Knab recognizes that this area of the ruins is influenced by distortions in time that could wreak havoc on a physical body if you press forward without precautions.

Hazard can be disabled with Thievery or a dispel magic (3rd). Or you could take your chances and press on through it.

"Sounds like someone may need our help! Kang, Knab, Horatio, tell me you can stop this god forsaken time trap!?

"While I did come prepared to dispel magic, the forces here are beyond the ken of my spell." i.e I only prepared it as a 2nd level spell "Unless you're assuming that I'm a trained thief because I'm a halfling, in which case, I'm quite disappointed."

"I've got some training." Griss says slowly. "Some LITTLE training. Almost anyone with real training will be better than I."

Griss laughs, it isn't humorous. "And if I'm the best we have, it would probably be safer to push through."

"I do have a scroll for dispelling magic, but like Horatio, I do not think it is strong enough. But! If you give me time, I can study that spell. But let me take a closer look..."

thievery: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

If that doesn't work, I believe Knab has got a better Thievery than Kang. And if that also doesn't work, Kang can spend 10min to re-prepare one of his 3rd level spell with Spell Substitution.

Knab waits to see the outcome of Kang's attempt.

"We may have 10 minutes - which may stretch in either direction!"

He prepares to apply his skills if both Kang's attempts fail...

"Hold on Griss - let the man work!"

Kang manipulates some of the markings on the walls and uses a bit of magic to alter the distorted waves of time. Those of you watching him see the occasional afterimage--or beforeimage--separate and perform a step a second before he actually does it. Shortly, moving through the altered flow of time becomes easier but never normal (all are Slowed 1).

You enter a stone chamber with tall red pillars, some of which have collapsed. A massive purple gash of energy covers a wall. You are left with no time to process the situation as an insectile humanoid in strange clothes leaps out of the rift. Beams of energy follow them out of the rift. One of the rays strikes them in the back, and the humanoid falls to the ground with a fatal, smoking wound in their back.

Three clockwork soldiers follow out of the rift. They turn their cyclopean glass eye toward you and say in unison, "Intruder alert! Depart at once or be destroyed." Despite the warning, they immediately begin firing rays of energy at you.

Recall Knowledge (Arcane, Crafting) DC 25

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment: Columns are 3 ft around occupying their square but able to provide cover with the Take Cover action. The fallen columns are 3 ft high so block movement without a Leap or High Jump action. They can also be used for cover with the Take Cover action.

Effects: All Slowed 1.

Horatio (Slowed 1)
Griss (Slowed 1)
Johnny (Slowed 1; Undetected)
Yellow 3
Zhao Kang (Slowed 1)
Red 1
Blue 2
Knab
Seelah

Phillipton slowly gets his hands up and tries to use his magic to disrupt their glass workings. Sound Burst I can get all three in a 10 foot burst.

DC 22 Basic Fortitude Save: 2d10 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2
if they fail, they're deafened, if they critical fail, they're stunned 1

Edit: my god, my luck on 2d10/

Sound waves must move slower, too. A faint crack or two appear on the constructs' glass parts.

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment: Columns are 3 ft around occupying their square but able to provide cover with the Take Cover action. The fallen columns are 3 ft high so block movement without a Leap or High Jump action. They can also be used for cover with the Take Cover action.

Effects: All Slowed 1.

Horatio (Slowed 1)
Griss (Slowed 1)
Johnny (Slowed 1; Undetected)
Yellow 3 (-1 hp; Slowed 1)
Zhao Kang (Slowed 1)
Red 1 (-1 hp; Slowed 1)
Blue 2 (-1 hp; Slowed 1)
Knab (Slowed 1)
Seelah (Slowed 1)

!?!?!

Knab recalls a discussion he had with one of the recruits at camp earlier about glass constructs, which, upon initial review, he had though to be un-possible, his conversation partner holding quite the opposite view...

~) Slowed
◆) Recall Knowledge w/ +1 "Reassurance" Bonus
◆) ??

Fire two shots at yellow hit: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33 dmg: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 = 6 piercing with his composite shortbow of striking
hit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 dmg: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 1 = 11

Johnny fires an arrow into one of the constructs vulnerable joints (critical), but he discovers that their metal casing is especially resistant to all damage.

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment: Columns are 3 ft around occupying their square but able to provide cover with the Take Cover action. The fallen columns are 3 ft high so block movement without a Leap or High Jump action. They can also be used for cover with the Take Cover action.

Effects: All Slowed 1.

Horatio (Slowed 1)
Griss (Slowed 1)
Johnny (Slowed 1)
Yellow 3 (-8 hp; Slowed 1)
Zhao Kang (Slowed 1)
Red 1 (-1 hp; Slowed 1)
Blue 2 (-1 hp; Slowed 1)
Knab (Slowed 1)
Seelah (Slowed 1)

Oh, I scored a critical, bow has deadly d8 deadly d8: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Moving, but slowly, Griss rushes forward to strike the closest clockwork soldier.

◆Slowed
◆◆Sudden Charge to move and attack number 1.
War Fail: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18Damage:Bludgeoning: 2d10 + 4 ⇒ (8, 2) + 4 = 14

Griss charges through the waves of slow time, but his strike glances off of the clockworks' metal armor.

The glass channels in one of the clockworks shimmers with light, flowing from the arms to the head. Then the single glass eye in the center of its head fires a lance of fire into Griss' shoulder.

Encounter! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment: Columns are 3 ft around occupying their square but able to provide cover with the Take Cover action. The fallen columns are 3 ft high so block movement without a Leap or High Jump action. They can also be used for cover with the Take Cover action.

Effects: All Slowed 1.

Horatio (Slowed 1)
Griss (78/88 hp; Slowed 1)
Johnny (Slowed 1)
Blue 3 (-9 hp; Slowed 1)
Zhao Kang (Slowed 1)
Red 1 (-1 hp; Slowed 1)
Yellow 2 (-1 hp; Slowed 1)
Knab (Slowed 1)
Seelah (Slowed 1)

Kang momentarily disappears in time only to reappear later.

The other two constructs repeat the same light show. One fires a laser about two feet over Seelah's head. The other fires its laser into Horatio's arm, but it only burns his winter clothes.

Encounter! Round 1/2. Bold may act.

Environment: Columns are 3 ft around occupying their square but able to provide cover with the Take Cover action. The fallen columns are 3 ft high so block movement without a Leap or High Jump action. They can also be used for cover with the Take Cover action.

Effects: All Slowed 1.

Blue 3 (-9 hp; Slowed 1)
Red 1 (-1 hp; Slowed 1)
Yellow 2 (-1 hp; Slowed 1)
Zhao Kang (Slowed 1)
Knab (Slowed 1)
Seelah (Slowed 1)
--2--
Horatio (Slowed 1)
Griss (78/88 hp; Slowed 1)
Johnny (Slowed 1)

A slow-moving body further slowed by temporal distortion, Knab "runs" like molasses in winter, arriving ahead of the group near Griss, clan dagger a-ready.

"They have an ancient technology known as "circuits" which you can overwhelm with shocking magic - apply with caution!"

Translation: Weakness to Electricity 5

~) Slowed
◆) Recall Knowledge
◆) Stride

"Sir Cuts? He's a torturer-knight from Belde. Lady Alexayn hosted him once."

Phillipton then calls upon his primal magic to shock them.

DC 22 Basic reflex save from 1 and 2, electricity damage: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) + 4 = 7

Edit: wait for real?

"Shocking magic you say?"

Kang deliberates briefly but he figured there might not be another opportunity like this, even if they proof resistant to the fire. And he realises that only one is in range for his electric arc spell. So instead, he raises his staff and sends a bead of fire flying into the corner, which erupts into a ball of fire.

vs all: fireball: 6d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 6, 5, 4, 5) = 25 Basic Ref DC 21

Hopefully, next round they move closer and I can get more than 1 for my electric arc.

Calling on his ancestor's power, Griss strikes out at the construct.

"I haven't fought this many mindless creatures in a row in...well never really! Makes a guy feel like he studied the wrong things!"

◆Slowed
◆Rage (Negative Energy, not that it maters)
◆War Fail: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30Damage: Bludgeoning: 2d10 + 4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1) + 4 + 3 + 2 = 15

Horatio's lightning fries the circuits within the future clockworks, even if their insulating plating protects them from the worst of it (no save, hardness 5, weakness 5). The electrical shock seems to have spurred those two golems to faster action as they dive for cover when Zhao Kang causes the back corner to explode in flame (save, save). The third robot, however, appears to have been caught in a time loop, disappearing and reappearing as it experiences the explosion over and over (critical fail). It is barely functional after that.

Griss slams his flail into the side of his chosen foe's head, cracking the glass eye.

Encounter! Round 1/2. Bold may act.

Environment: Columns are 3 ft around occupying their square but able to provide cover with the Take Cover action. The fallen columns are 3 ft high so block movement without a Leap or High Jump action. They can also be used for cover with the Take Cover action.

Effects: All Slowed 1.

Blue 3 (-54 hp; Slowed 1) (<10%)
Red 1 (-25 hp; Slowed 1)
Yellow 2 (-15 hp; Slowed 1)
Zhao Kang (Slowed 1)
Knab (Slowed 1)
Seelah (Slowed 1)
--2--
Horatio (Slowed 1)
Griss (78/88 hp; Slowed 1)
Johnny (Slowed 1)

Seelah races away from Hortatio's side, sword raised quickly eclipsing Knab. She throws her line over her shoulder back to him as she runs towards danger.

I never meant to insinuate anythiiiiiiinng!

Longsword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 272d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 7) + 4 = 16

◆Stride
◆Strike

Johnny will fire two shots at yellow hit: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23 dmg: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 1 = 11
hit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 dmg: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 1 = 10

Seelah and Johnny focus on the yellow marked golem, whittling it down a little.

The blue marked construct powers up through its singed and melting conduits to fire a ray of fire into Seelah's breastplate, heating the metal on her armor so quickly that it burns her severely. The red marked robot's glass conduits flash quickly and then lightning explodes from it. The energy washes over Seelah and Griss.

The yellow marked robot powers up and punches Seelah with a crackling fist. The blow crumples in her breastplate (critical).

Encounter! Round 2/3. Bold may act.

Environment: Columns are 3 ft around occupying their square but able to provide cover with the Take Cover action. The fallen columns are 3 ft high so block movement without a Leap or High Jump action. They can also be used for cover with the Take Cover action.

Effects: All Slowed 1.

Blue 3 (-54 hp; Slowed 1) (<10%)
Red 1 (-25 hp; Slowed 1)
Yellow 2 (-37 hp; Slowed 1) (<50%)
Zhao Kang (Slowed 1)
Knab (Slowed 1)
Seelah (37/78 hp; Slowed 1) (pending Basic REFLEX vs. DC 19: 21 electricity damage)
--2--
Horatio (Slowed 1)
Griss (78/88 hp; Slowed 1) (pending Basic REFLEX vs. DC 19: 21 electricity damage)
Johnny (Slowed 1)

Continuing his slow motion "run", Knab races by to cut the final live wire from the Blue Robot already sparking!

~) Slowed
◆) Stride
◆) Strike

Cunning Clan Dagger (Piercing) vs Blue Robot: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 172d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9

Disappointed that the constructs still have not moved closer in range to his spells, Kang moves in, hoping that it turns out not to be a foolhardy move. Raising his staff, he sends it flying at the more injured one.

vs blue: hand of apprentice (+1 striking staff of fire): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 bludgeoning: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (8, 7) + 4 = 19

Stride, Cast hand of apprentice

Knab's clan dagger cannot fit through the gap in the construct's future metal casing. Kang, however, sends his staff flying through the air and knocks the glass and metal golem's head clean off. The blue marked construct clatters to the ground in pieces.

Encounter! Round 2/3. Bold may act.

Environment: Columns are 3 ft around occupying their square but able to provide cover with the Take Cover action. The fallen columns are 3 ft high so block movement without a Leap or High Jump action. They can also be used for cover with the Take Cover action.

Effects: All Slowed 1.

Red 1 (-25 hp; Slowed 1)
Yellow 2 (-37 hp; Slowed 1) (<50%)
Zhao Kang (Slowed 1)
Knab (Slowed 1)
Seelah (37/78 hp; Slowed 1) (pending Basic REFLEX vs. DC 19: 21 electricity damage)
--2--
Horatio (Slowed 1)
Griss (78/88 hp; Slowed 1) (pending Basic REFLEX vs. DC 19: 21 electricity damage)
Johnny (Slowed 1)

Phillipton, seeing Seelah seeping blood, calls upon Halcamora's grace to heal her wounds

2 action Heal for Seelah: 3d8 + 24 ⇒ (5, 2, 6) + 24 = 37

Reflex save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Ouch, but at least I resist 1 point of it.

Shaking from the massive jolt, Griss repositions.

"Knab, Seelah. When you're done with that one I'm ready to set this one up."

◆Slow
◆Step
◆War Fail: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27Damage:Bludgeoning: 2d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 + 2 = 10

Two more shots on yellow hit: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35 dmg: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6) + 1 = 13
edit: that 19 is probably a crit deadly d8: 1d8 ⇒ 1
hit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 dmg: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 1 = 4

Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

"Gah, I'm on my way Griss... by Iomedae that healing feels good."

Seelah seems very much NOT on her way

Seelah collapses, overwhelmed by the electricity.

Horatio calls upon Halcamora to mend Seelah's wounds and brings her back to consciousness. Seelah-bot picks up her sword and stands back up.

Griss slams his flail into the robot and leaves a dent in the metal frame. Johnny releases a pair of arrows into the yellow marked construct.

The remaining robots focus their power into their arms. The red marked one punches Griss in the face, dislocating his nose (critical hit). He resists a small part of the energy released, not that he could tell a difference in the pain lancing through his body. The yellow construct punches Seelah in her crumpled breastplate and shocks her with a release of electricity.

Encounter! Round 3/4. Bold may act.

Environment: Columns are 3 ft around occupying their square but able to provide cover with the Take Cover action. The fallen columns are 3 ft high so block movement without a Leap or High Jump action. They can also be used for cover with the Take Cover action.

Effects: All Slowed 1.

Red 1 (-30 hp; Slowed 1)
Yellow 2 (-46 hp; Slowed 1) (<50%)
Zhao Kang (Slowed 1)
Knab (Slowed 1)
--4--
Horatio (Slowed 1)
Griss (21/88 hp; Slowed 1)
Johnny (Slowed 1)
Seelah (27/78 hp; Wounded 1, Slowed 1)

Two more arrows into yellow hit: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25 dmg: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 1 = 8
hit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 dmg: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 1 = 9 crit so deadly d8: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Seelah-bot jumps through time and strikes at the red marked construct. However, the time jump seems to have thrown off her aim.

Johnny sends two more arrows into the yellow marked construct. The last one takes it in the center of its glass eye, and it falls to the ground unmoving.

Encounter! Round 3/4. Bold may act.

Environment: Columns are 3 ft around occupying their square but able to provide cover with the Take Cover action. The fallen columns are 3 ft high so block movement without a Leap or High Jump action. They can also be used for cover with the Take Cover action.

Effects: All Slowed 1.

Red 1 (-30 hp; Slowed 1)
Zhao Kang (Slowed 1)
Knab (Slowed 1)
Seelah (49/78 hp, Slowed 1)
--4--
Horatio (Slowed 1)
Griss (21/88 hp; Slowed 1)
Johnny (Slowed 1)

Seelah shakes off the time magic and gets back to work.

Longsword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 342d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9

Longsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 242d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 = 16

♦Strike
♦Strike
♦Raise Shield

Continuing his slow motion "run", Knab races by to cut the final live wire from the Last Robot already sparking!

~) Slowed
◆) Stride
◆) Strike

Cunning Clan Dagger (Piercing) w/ Sneak Attack (2d6) vs Last Robot: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 352d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 82d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

His fireball spell having done the trick, Zhao Kang falls back upon his trusted cantrips, firing a bolt of electricity at the remaining construct.

electric arc: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3) + 4 = 10 Basic Ref DC 21

Seelah shakes off seeing the double of herself from another timeline fall before the onslaught and then her past self manifest beside her and strike at the robot. She runs her sword through vital circuitry and then yanks out her blade to strike again. Knab rams his blade into even more vital circuitry. The construct is sparking and twitching as it barely holds itself together when Kang explodes it with a well placed arc of lightning.

Out of Combat

The purple rift remains, enigmatic, pulsing and flickering.

Investigating and closing the rift requires Arcana, Nature, Occultism, Religion, or Thievery.

"Griss, Seelah, come here..." Phillipton says, still slurring from the slowness.

I've been doing some reading, and realize that Ward Medic, I make a single check and heal two people.

Medicine, DC 20: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Medicine, DC 20: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Healing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 6) + 10 = 22
Griss 43/88, Seelah 71/88
Medicine, DC 20: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Healing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 8) + 10 = 20
Griss 63/88, Seelah full
Medicine, DC 20: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Healing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 3) + 10 = 14

Griss 77/88

40 minutes while the others investigate and close

Johnny will try to figure it out nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Johnny figures something out and the rift begins to flicker rapidly.

A pile of exotic-looking, metal chests appear in the room. They blink in and out of existence, though they remain long enough for you to read strange letters that you somehow understand (for real): Property of the Starfinder Society.

The rift finally blinks out of existence along with the pile of chests, the robots, and the corpse of the insect-like humanoid, and then the flow of time returns to normal.

Success!

"Well that was a workout. Thank you very much for the healing Phillipton. Your aid is a lifesaver, in multiple sense of the word I think."

"Agreed Griss, thank you Horatio."

Knab saves a couple pieces of the strange device "Curious" pocketing them for later study.

He proceeds to Investigate the Closing Rift "Is this the cause of all the strange sitings we have seen?" halfway wondering if he'll see another flicker here or there of his past or future...

Arcana (Trained): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29 @ 10 minutes?

"Starfinder Society - perhaps a new Astronomy Guild?..."

He also takes a moment to patch his own wounds, rubbing some dwarven salves over his skin.

Treat Wounds (Medicine, Expert) vs DC 20: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 212d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 2) + 10 = 18 @ 10 minutes?