When Dr. Lazarus passes through the fog, he sees the sprite but no obvious enemies.
Uby is bound to a pedestal at the lab's center by three straps. Each of the straps secures her and would take a bit of effort to remove.
Seeing the doctor, she cries “Please release me! This is no fun!”
Following Dr, Lazarus, Astrid also sees the tiny sprite bound to the pillar.
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Seeing Uby bound to the pedestal, Lazarus heads directly toward her.
He immediately sets to work on freeing the sprite. While working, he asks, "My dear child, who did this to you?" Then, turning to Astrid, he says, "I heard movement just to the southeast. Be ready." As he removes one of the three straps, he hopes his allies arrive soon to help with the others.
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In her haste Astrid almost runs past the sprite.
"Oh there you are. You're so tiny I almost missed you."
Turning to Lazarus she calls out. "Lazarus. There's a commotion up ahead. Get her out of those straps and I'll distract any hostiles that come our way."
Astrid raises her shield and moves to protect the sprite and the doctor.
Dr. Lazarus releases one of the three straps holding Uby captive.
She tells him “The red men in white coats did this! Said I was a valuable sample!”
Astrid gets ready to protect the doctor and sprite.
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
You must be adjacent and use two interact actions to release each of the straps holding Uby captive.
Fog is difficult terrain and requires a DC 24 Fort save or you are Slowed 1 for one round. Fog completely blocks vision.
Lizzo
Dr. Lazarus
Astrid
Gib
One
Natesh slowed 1
Two
Uby (delay until released) 1 of three straps released
Lizzo follows the others and gets ready to help unbind Uby.
When Gib moves through the fog, some of it sticks to them.
Everyone except Natesh hears foot steps from within the fog. They are from a different location that the ones you heard before.
A man with deep-crimson skin and orange eyes wearing a white lab coat comes out of the fog. They tell you “Don’t disrupt my experiment!”
They are carrying a vial and quickly mix another with it. Looking at the results, he says “Failure!” and drops the vial to the floor.
He then quickly draws another vial and throws it at Dr. Lazarus.
and -10 foot speed penalty
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
You must be adjacent and use two interact actions to release each of the straps holding Uby captive.
Fog is difficult terrain and requires a DC 24 Fort save or you are Slowed 1 for one round. Fog completely blocks vision.
Lizzo
Dr. Lazarus 9 damage -10’ speed for one round
Astrid
Gib slowed 1
One
Natesh slowed 1
Two
Uby 2 damage (delay until released) 1 of three straps released
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Natesh forces himself through the fog to join the allies, although he nearly jumps back into the fog seeing how close he ended up near the lab coat garbed man. Natesh struggles to free himself of the clinging fog as he forces out, "she doesn't... want to be here!"
Focusing his divination magic to give Lazarus a bit of good fortune to counter the freezing vial. Releasing it with a bombastic cheer Natesh's spell quickens Lazarus for a brief moment.
Natesh comes out of the fog and blesses Dr. Lazarus with some luck.
Another lab-coated man comes running out of the fog, not even bothering to try and sneak. He also has a vial in hand.
Once he sees the situation, he mixes another vial with the one in hand. As it changes color, he proclaimed “Success! For SCIENCE!” and throws the concoction at Astrid.
-5 foot speed
Persistent Acid damage 1d6
Uby says “I don’t like your science! It hurts!”
Human: Most humans on Akiton belong to a broad category of ethnicities called Hylki. Hylki people have deep-crimson skin and eyes that tend toward warm colors like yellow, orange, and red.
Round 2:
Bolded may act.
You must be adjacent and use two interact actions to release each of the straps holding Uby captive.
Fog is difficult terrain and requires a DC 24 Fort save or you are Slowed 1 for one round. Fog completely blocks vision.
Uby 2 damage (delay until released) 1 of three straps released
Lizzo
Dr. Lazarus 9 damage -10’ speed for one round
Astrid 4 damage d6 persistent acid damage -5’ speed for one round
Gib slowed 1
One
Natesh
Two
Astrid unnerves red two and then immediately takes advantage of it as she moves up and slices him. The acid he threw at her quickly stops sizzling, doing only minor damage.
Round 2:
Bolded may act.
You must be adjacent and use two interact actions to release each of the straps holding Uby captive.
Fog is difficult terrain and requires a DC 24 Fort save or you are Slowed 1 for one round. Fog completely blocks vision.
Uby 2 damage (delay until released) 1 of three straps released
Lizzo
Dr. Lazarus 9 damage -10’ speed for one round
Astrid 6 damage
Gib slowed 1
One
Natesh
Two 15 damage frightened 1
Lizzo releases a strap and then fumbles an arrow.
Round 2:
Bolded may act.
You must be adjacent and use two interact actions to release each of the straps holding Uby captive.
Fog is difficult terrain and requires a DC 24 Fort save or you are Slowed 1 for one round. Fog completely blocks vision.
Uby 2 damage (delay until released) two of three straps released
Lizzo
Dr. Lazarus 9 damage -10’ speed for one round
Astrid 6 damage
Gib slowed 1
One
Natesh
Two 15 damage frightened 1
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When Natesh casts his quickening spell, Dr. Lazarus approves. "Ahh, an inspired choice, my boy. You have my thanks. I'll do my best to use it wisely." From his position near Uby, Dr. Lazarus considers the best way to attack the near scientist.
Studying the strange humans, the Doctor informs the group pompously, "Why yes, of course ... those of you as learned as I..." He pauses annoyingly before continuing, "...would know that such red-hued people called Hylki inhabit the planet Akiton. This entire maze has either taken us there or is replicating it." He returns his attention to the battlefield.
Not feeling confident about his chances against the near enemy, he leaves Uby in Lizzo's good hands (claws?) and decides to take a flanking position with Astrid on the further enemy. Thanks to Natesh's quickening, he swings his hammer twice in succession.
Dr. Lazarus hits his target twice.
Gib releases the final strap on Uby.
With a squee of joy and a quick “Thank you!” she takes off flying for the exit.
“Our experiment!” the two men exclaim. They need to work on their timing, they didn’t harmonize very well.
One steps up to Natesh, gets out a sickle and swings at Natesh exclaiming “You will do as a new sample!”
Round 2:
Bolded may act.
You must be adjacent and use two interact actions to release each of the straps holding Uby captive.
Fog is difficult terrain and requires a DC 24 Fort save or you are Slowed 1 for one round. Fog completely blocks vision.
Lizzo
Dr. Lazarus 9 damage
Astrid 6 damage
Gib
Uby 2 damage (no longer visible, last seen flying towards the exit)
One
Natesh 16 damage
Two 38 damage frightened 1
Round 2:
Bolded may act.
You must be adjacent and use two interact actions to release each of the straps holding Uby captive.
Fog is difficult terrain and requires a DC 24 Fort save or you are Slowed 1 for one round. Fog completely blocks vision.
Uby 2 damage flew out of sight
Lizzo
Dr. Lazarus 9 damage crit this round for winning streak
Astrid 6 damage
Gib slowed 1
One
Natesh 16 damage
Two 52 damage frightened 1
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his focus turned toward Uby's flight, Natesh leaves himself open to a devastating blow from one of the scientists that leaves the wizard reeling.
"I... I rather you just not experiment on anyone. Have you considered posting a notice for willing scientific partners?"
Despite the wound Natesh holds his position to ensure Uby's escape. He draws his hammer and launches another arc of lightning at the pair of men.
Neither of the men are quick enough to dodge the electrical arc!
One looks at Natesh with a baffled expression, saying “But…SCIENCE!”
Two runs to what he hopes is a better position.
He then throws two different bombs, one at Dr. Lazarus and the other at Gib. He hits with the first, only splashes with the second.
Round 3:
Bolded may act.
Fog is difficult terrain and requires a DC 24 Fort save or you are Slowed 1 for one round. Fog completely blocks vision.
Uby 2 damage flew out of sight
Lizzo
Dr. Lazarus 20 damage 1 persistent fire damage quickened 1 winning streak continues
Astrid 6 damage AoO on Two while flanked, frightened 1
Gib 2 damage slowed 1
One 16 damage
Natesh 16 damage
Two 68 damage
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Relieved that Uby has escaped to safety, Dr. Lazarus calls out to Lizzo and Gib, "Well done with her release, my dear boys." Just as he gives them a nod of approval, he gets set on fire by the Hrylki. He glares and plans the best way to take him down.
Not recalling any other pertinent info to share, Lazarus follows his attacker, arriving at the far side to provide a flanking opportunity for Astrid. Once in position, he swings his hammer twice at the alchemist.
+1 Striking Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem) vs #2: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Astrid stabs the man as he flees, causing him quite a bit of pain.
The pain doesn’t last long, as Dr. Lazarus comes up and bashes the fellow twice. He goes down.
Round 3:
Bolded may act.
Fog is difficult terrain and requires a DC 24 Fort save or you are Slowed 1 for one round. Fog completely blocks vision.
Uby 2 damage flew out of sight
Lizzo
Dr. Lazarus 21 damage 1 persistent fire damage winning streak continues
Astrid 6 damage quickened 1
Gib 2 damage slowed 1
One 16 damage
Natesh 16 damage
Two 118 damage
Lizzo pins the ‘scientist’ to the floor with a well placed arrow and then hits again with a second arrow.
Astrid causes him to shake with fear before she slams him with her shield.
Round 3:
Bolded may act.
Fog is difficult terrain and requires a DC 24 Fort save or you are Slowed 1 for one round. Fog completely blocks vision.
Uby 2 damage flew out of sight
Lizzo quickened 1
Dr. Lazarus 21 damage 1 persistent fire damage winning streak continues
Astrid 6 damage quickened 1
Gib 2 damage slowed 1
One 84 damage d12 persistent bleed frightened 1 immobilized
Natesh 16 damage
Two 118 damage
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Gib moves up to creep #1 quickly drawing and stabbing with his rapier followed quickly by his dagger ” You should only pick on someone your own size. Or bigger like I do!” The small Gnome grins.
Stride, quickdraw/strike, quickdraw/strike
The foe is flat-footed to Gib due to Gang up feat.
1st attack vs foe One
to hit vs flat-footed
2nd attack vs foe One
to hit vs flat-footed
Gib moves up and kills the remaining scientist.
Having released Uby, you decide it is probably best to return to your own time and bodies.
When you get back, Uby and Paxle are still dancing with joy over Uby being alright.
They both look to your group and say “Thank you so much!” They oair promise to not mess with that orrery again and decide to head back to the maze that they call home.
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Astrid waves away any attempts to heal her. "Ha! Don't worry about me. I got hurt worse than this the last time I cut my hair."
She turns to the sprite that the team rescued. "Come here Uby. I think I have a salve here somewhere for that frostbite you got from that red guy."
As she tends to the sprite the shield maiden's injuries slowly begin to fade and have disappeared entirely by the time the others have had their wounds treated.
Uby squirms impatiently while Astrid tends her wounds. She does very politely thank you and invites you over for tea sometime in the maze.
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Natesh is tempted to remain a bit longer to review the books within area, but the lingering threat of death makes him too nervous to follow up with a rapid return.
Much more comfortable in his body and time again, Natesh is heartened to see the pair celebrating, "I'm glad both of you are safe and I... I hope neither of you run into any more trouble."
Turning his focus on his spellbook as he frantically tries to shift his thoughts to fit it some magic within this. "Far more enclosed areas and temporal magic fills these areas. I need more magic to deal with this."
Natesh's wound from the scientist's sickle does mend a bit during the brief moment of rest.
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Still burning with the pesky fire, Dr. Lazarus has unusual trouble fighting it off. Just as he's wondering if it will ever stop, it finally dissipates.
The Doctor follows the others back to the maze and is happy to see the sprites in good spirits. Ignoring Astrid's brave words, he says, "That's all well and good, my dear lady, but unless you know what lies ahead, I'm sure you'll agree we're all best served if you're at your peak." He looks to see who else is injured.
Realizing the futility in insisting Astrid join him for some minor healing, the Doctor asks Natesh to join them so he can heal the three of them at the same time.
He gives a satisfied look. "You can go now." To Astrid he adds, "Madam, if you need healing after your next haircut, come find me." If we have an additional 10 minutes, he continues treating himself.
After 20 minutes, he confirms everyone is as good as new. He grips his hammer, ready to continue.
Dr. Lazarus spends some time treating everyone’s wounds.
After the healing is done, you wander through more of the complex. It is actually surprisingly large.
You find a grand entry chamber the walls of which are carved with faded images. The images include things from tentacled monsters and ritual ceremonies to flying wagons and other strange machines.
Beyond the chamber is a grand library filled with books and beautiful statuary.
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Lazarus peers inside the grand library and it almost takes his breath away. He raises an eyebrow. "One could get in a lot of learning within these glorious walls." Looking around, he adds, "Yet, if the past is anything to go on, I fear mischief lurks." He considers and asks, "Should we check each of these upper balconies first so we ..." He ticks off one long elven finger at a time. "One: Get a better view of the entire room. And Two: Avoid a possible ambush from above." He's also fine if others wish to head to the center straightaway.
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Seeing Dr. Thurston is on fire like a hot elf candle, Gibs gladly nocks him over, pours water on him, and rolls him around in the dirt. Then thinks how best to put the fire out.
Later when the group discovers the entry chamber with carved images of tentacled monsters with flying wagons, ” Oh, flying wagons! I wonder if they use flying goats to pull it? I wonder if flying goats will eat the clouds?”
Gib changing his color to look like staked books stealthily wanders around the library exploring it for more wonders.
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Seeing Uby and Paxle reunited brings a brief movement of joy to Lizzo, it feels good to occasionally use his abilities for a good cause.
Upon entering the grand library he’s amazed at the expansive collection of material. All of the books in his village would fit in just one of these cases. He keeps his eye’s open for any books on combining archery and magic, knowing he’s close to unlocking those ancient secrets.
” One: Get a better view of the entire room. And Two: Avoid a possible ambush from above.”
”Wise advice, that path provides several vantage points I can make use of.”
You explore the left and right upper levels of the library. It really is a nice library, well lit with lots of reference materials on the shelves. Much of the matrerial is written in what you’ve come to recognize as Akitonian, but there are also works in other languages including auran, Asian, Ignan, terran, draconic, sylvan, celestial, and several languages you don’t recognize.
As you start down the center, finally you sight what much me the librarian. One of the statues on the opposite side of the huge orrery moves out of it’s alcove and starts towards you. It is made of some sort of crystalline material and has…are those blades for hands?
Maybe it isn’t a librarian…
Wins ties
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
Lizzo
Dr, Lazarus
Gib
Purple
Astrid
Natesh
Although both of Lizzo’s arrows hit, they do barely any damage to the creature.
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
Lizzo
Dr, Lazarus
Gib
Purple 7 damage
Astrid
Natesh
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Gib looks at the Purple Crystal Librarian, ” Look I already returned the book, you’ll collect no overdue fee from me! “
Getting tired of waiting for the Librarian to come to him, the Gnome quickly whips out his short bow fires two quick shots and then sheaths his bow for later.
quickdraw/strike, strike, stow bow.
The foe is Flat-footed to Gib due to Surprise Attack rough class
1st attack vs foe
to hit vs flat-footed
2nd attack vs foe
to hit vs flat-footed Critical Nat20!
Both shots are well placed!
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Dr. Lazarus looks at the crystalline creature with curiosity. Then, turning to Gib, he shakes his head, "I've spent many hours in libraries, my boy, and sadly this is no librarian." He adds, "Tis a shame. What a joy it would have been to talk to the owner of such a fine collection." He studies the oddity.
Lazarus struggles to admit it to the others, but he doesn't know what this creature is. He's not used to this feeling of ... not knowing. He thinks, "I wonder if this is how others go through life ... not knowing." How horrible for them.
Nonetheless, with his throwing hammer in hand and a solid plan in place, the Doctor moves to one side of the orrery and flings his hammer.
+1 Striking Returning Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
Both of Gib’s shots hit, the second one catching the construct such that it will need to remove the arrow before being able to move.
Although Dr. Lazarus doesn’t know exactly what creature this is, he does realize it is likely some sort of golem. He knows that it is tricky to use spells on golems, most do not work at all. The problem is remembering what spells for what types of golem.
Dr. Lazarus strikes it solidly with the hammer! It seems that unlike the arrow the hammer did full damage for some reason.
The creature has no problems breaking away from the arrow that had it immobilized. It then moves up to Dr. Lazarus and gives him an excellent view of the pointy arms.
d6 bleed if it hits
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
Purple 65 damage
Astrid
Natesh
Round 2:
Lizzo
Dr, Lazarus 34 damage, d6 persistent bleed
Gib
Astrid gives a battle cry and rushes into battle! Unfortunately neither attack hits.
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
Purple 65 damage
Astrid
Natesh
Round 2:
Lizzo
Dr, Lazarus 34 damage, d6 persistent bleed
Gib