[AP] Iron Gods by GM Rutseg

Game Master Balacertar

"Hey, Chaance, there is a not so friendly almost irritating flashy panel with stuff on it, can you interpret any of this?”

Chaance moves through the doorway, intent on looking over the flashy stuff. She places her draw fingers over her lips, in contemplation.

"The yellow panel, it says 'turn on'. Something like an activation, right? Speak words, a wand works. Here, it's much more tactile. Press a plate, trigger a trap. The other words are admittedly foreign to me- 'mead-e-uh, in-box, spam, location'... well, of course not, with location, but the other words sound funny."

When the ratfolk activates something, something bright, Chaance audibly ooo's. "That's very... pretty. Astronomy. The movement of stars in the sky..." Chaance traces the designs in the chart, until her finger points to the third rock from the sun.

"Here we are! This is Home for some, destination for others." Chaance smiles at Rūha, in mutual respect. "Sun... Aballon the Horse... Castrovel the Green... Golarion." The elf's finger lingers over Castrovel for a little, before begrudgingly arriving at the glowy planet.

"This is fascinating. Can we make the other planets flash, I wonder."

"Ah. What language is this Chaance? It's not anything I've come across before. And while I am no expert, I have heard my share of languages." When Chaance finishes translating, the edges of Rūha's eyes crinkle with amusement. "The meanings on the other hand, well, lets just say some anthropologists would be having a field day with this example of convergent design." Rūha laughs, the airy sound muffled by her mask. "Truly."

The unknown, uncharted system map earns an appraising look, with Rūha experimentally touching the other planets in case its willing to divulge more information for Chaance to translate. Eventually she returns back to Golarion and places a finger on it. "Golarion..." After a moment of thought, Rūha comments "So whoever made this place understood our local system and had reason enough to make a visual aid. I wonder, was it designed to highlight Golarion, or does it have-" She trails off, lost for a few minutes to speculation.

Rhoreen watches and pays attention, trying to help where she can, but also learn what she can from the skill of others.

”Planets, huh? That’s neat, Chaance,” she notes. ”Maybe I should put some time into learning this language too. Do you have any books on it?”

Yambul listens to the smart folk chat, and maintains his position by the doors. He tries to take it in, but it's very confusing for him. He has no real frame of reference for it all.

Sure, he's looked up at the sky at night, but it's just so many pinpricks of light. This map, this layout, it doesn't make any sense to him. But he knows it does to others, and that makes him smile. They'll figure this out, make no mistake!

He stands watch by the closed door and waits for the others to continue their experiments. He smiles.

”Maybe I should put some time into learning this language too. Do you have any books on it?”

"As, I think, should I." Ruha crosses a pair of arms as she murmurs her agreement.

The first impression she'd gotten of this control room had been that it would be able to restore light and power to the desert and all surrounding areas. She looks around for a main breaker or other lever that might do the trick.

​​"What does that mean, <*sound*>?"

As Chaance translates and Rhoreen ponders, Zzvkgrogk jaw slackens allowing his incisors to peek out. His eyes grow wide as his brain processes.

The yellow panel says ‘turn on’.
"Unknown uncharted system", you all recognize the largest central sphere like the Sun that appears in your skies everyday…
Astronomy. The movement of stars in the sky…
…third rock from the sun…

"Here we are!"

With that confirmation, his ears begin to blush ever so slightly as he blurts out ”It means this is a ship that travels among the stars! It crashed here! I KNEW it!” He squeaks in delight spinning in a little dance waving his Device in the air. He eagerly looks under Chaance’s arm to see what other information on the other planets might show.

He swipes at the display with his paw.
”Is there another view?! What does it say under ‘Inbox’?! Do you think its food delivered in boxes through air pressurized tubes?! What about ‘Media’? ‘Spam’?" His gaze briefly returns to the yellow 'turn on' panel. "Is there an owner’s manual?!! …You know, Chaance, if you teach us this language, I will teach you Ysoski.”

He gives a gleaming, sly, teasing eye to the elf. ”Did you know “zzv” is a fricative?”

As Zzvkgrogk slides his paw through the window, the planets disappear from it and another chart appears of what could be perhaps some kind of metallic shield of unknown dimensions.

Written in the chart in Androffan appear the words HABITAT MODULE.

Sliding back the window changes again to the main display and visiting the 'Inbox' you find out a long list of titles, all written in Androffan as well. Clicking on there you find out what appear to be messages. The last ones refer to commands for undocking for an emergency landing and prior to that you find out confusing messages of being under attack by the 'Dark enemy'. Digging back to earlier messages you find out more peaceful ones that seems to be discussing scientific experiments of some kind. All the messages are in Androffan.

Rhoreen listens to Zzvkgrogk, and then Chaance, trying to put the pieces together.

”This is fascinating,” she exclaims and waits for Zzvkgrogk and Chaance to continue. She’s taking mental notes of everything.

I *need* to learn this language.

"Ah. What language is this Chaance? It's not anything I've come across before. And while I am no expert, I have heard my share of languages."

"This language... it's called Androffan." Chaance takes her eyes from the glowy planet, to address the kasatha directly. "I thought it came from the androids who spoke it, and I suppose that's not entirely incorrect. Simpler to say that those who live on the planet Androffa would speak Androffan, including the androids, but not limited to them." She turns back to the arrangements of planets. "Not there, though. Androffa is beyond this collection of spheres."

"Planets, huh? That’s neat, Chaance. Maybe I should put some time into learning this language too. Do you have any books on it?”

Chaance smirks for the first time among the infiltration team members.

"There are books. So many books. Iadara is steeped in knowledge, they can't possibly miss one, every now and then. When we return to Torch, you can borrow it. Of course, I'll need it back once you've succeeded in your new language acquisition. It's not mine, you see."

"As, I think, should I."

"You know, Chaance, if you teach us this language, I will teach you Ysoski.”

"Of course! I'd be happy to spar with you, as you grow your vocabulary. To truly learn your own language, would I need to grow my incisors?"

"Did you know “zzv” is a fricative?”

Chaance squints at the chart. "I prefer my fricatives interspersed with vowels. An abundance of vowels." The elf deadpans the ysoki, while elongating the 'ow'.

"Well, let's see..." Chaance does her best to translate all of the Androffan on display, enjoying the opportunity to mentor the others in the language arts. It reminds her of her brother's passion for teaching.

"The chart is otherworldly, isn't it? Fascinating, indeed."

When Chaance has sketched out what she can, she readies to explore even more of this Androffa construction.

Rūha pores over the habitat module diagram, then painstakingly steps through individual messages in the "inbox", asking Chaance to translate particular messages based on their titles. Her forehead furrows as the work continues until she finally sighs "There are too many to go through like this all at once. But it seems more or less clear that this is an archive of communications left by these Androffans and possibly their androids. The contents are extensive enough and varied enough that it doesn't seem like an elaborately staged hoax." She shakes her head "No, it seems very much like the real legacy of some species."

"A ship that travels among the stars... such a thing shouldn't be possible here, and now. But if it came from another world, then possibly..." Rūha's hands linger on the keys for the terminal.

Something Chaance said earlier attracts her attention "How did you learn about this Androffa? It didn't seem like it was common knowledge when I visited some of the other towns in the area."

Assisted by Chaance, Rūha inspects some of the messages. There are numbers that resemble dates, but they have no correspondence with Golarion years that can help you locate these messages in time.

What you find out is this habitat module was part of a larger mission to bring civilization and culture to other planets throughout the universe.

Unraveling all the information about the alien spices usage is something that will take some time, but you certainly have an hour or two to spare if you wish so...

This module in particular was dedicated to the study of alien species. Within the bowl, the crew engineered terrain appropriate for the inhabitants-to-be, and used a series of holograms along the inner surface of the hemisphere to project a day/night cycle appropriate to the occupants’ homeworld. All environmental concerns—temperature, wildlife, weather, and even seasonal variations—were controlled by the crew. The occupants rarely realized they had been taken from their homeworlds—they just awoke in a small, strangely self-contained regions of their world. The scientific crew watched as they came to terms with these changes, studying the captives’ societies and ecologies from hidden observation posts.

The kasathas in this habitat module were even more in the dark, for the scientists harvested them from a remote valley and placed them within their artificial environment for observation without revealing the truth. Although it seems they observed how these kasathas adjusted to waking in a new place, they apparently took some effort to keep the details of this experiment relatively quiet from the rest of the ship, for unknown reasons, and there are no messages with that data.

Rhoreen listens to watch is translated and explained by others. At one point she pauses and looks at Ruha.

"You are harvested? Like as a species? Like corn or something?" Rhoreen looks the very tall and scary woman(?) up and down. "That's fascinating. So...you don't couple to reproduce? How does that work?"

Yambul is quiet as the others relish in their discoveries, but as minutes turn into hours, he grows impatient.

"I'm sure this is all wondrous, but the fact is that Baine is still out there, and may be hurt, and we've just wasted two hours of water breath on stuff that won't help us find Baine."

"Now open these doors. I'm going to go follow the trail, and I hope you'll all join me, but either way, I'm going," he says with a bit of a huff.

"You're right. Let's see where else we can find clues."

Chaance jumps to it, following Yambul out the doors.

"I prefer my fricatives interspersed with vowels. An abundance of vowels."

Zzvkgrogk can’t help but notice the emphasis Chaance lays on “ow”, one ear twisting slightly forward while the other ear twists backwards repeatedly as the sound is uttered. Not crying, but sounds like crying.

He shrugs.”Yes, for less – uh – efficient languages it is fine. These sounds let out too much hot air, a waste of energy particularly in the cold weather.”

"How did you learn about this Androffa?”

”Yeeeeaaaaahhhhh” adds Zzvkgrogk, enjoying vowels in the current climate. ”And from whom do you borrow books? Whoever they are, they sound like fun.”

Although it seems they observed how these kasathas adjusted to waking in a new place, they apparently took some effort to keep the details of this experiment relatively quiet from the rest of the ship, for unknown reasons, and there are no messages with that data.

”So… a secret experiment on Kasathas?! But, why?” He looks up at Rūha. ”Do your people have powers alien to the aliens who abducted your kin?” He shakes his head. ”I guess you would not know. Doesn’t seem like this turned out as planned… Ambassadors and experiments… I do not know what to make of it. I wonder if it was the 'Dark enemy' that forced it all to crash. If so, are they nearby still, integrated among us all this time?”

”Now open these doors. I'm going to go follow the trail, and I hope you'll all join me, but either way, I'm going," he says with a bit of a huff.

”Oh, ho – no need to be like that. Speak up sooner next time, we don’t need cranky cook boys. Let’s find Baine, more clues, maybe more pillar things that state ‘turn on’. Maybe this is the only one. I want to find out what it does, but Baine first.”

He opens the door with a brown card.

Rūha fixes Rhor with a flat stare, a touch indignant. "You seem to be jumping to some rather rude conclusions. It is just a turn of phrase. Just like if someone said your kind was getting milked for all they're worth, it would not refer to literally squeezing the fluids out of you. Right?" She raises one side of her forehead at the half-elf, imitating the human gesture.

To Zzvkgrogk's questions, she's more amenable "It is a good question, though I'm afraid I have no more light to shed on it than the rest of you. For all the similarity in appearance, I am as far separated from the kasatha this report describes as you are. It speaks of the homeworld of my ancestors - Kasath - and of the ancient past. They kidnapped those ancient kasatha and held them captive, lorded their knowledge over them, and took them far from their homes to satisfy their own whims." The more she considers what the reports here reveal, the more she doesn't like the sound of these Androffans.

Yambul's urging though has her respond "Of course. We can always return later to read, but Baine cannot wait. Apologies. I got a little carried away."

"How did you learn about this Androffa? It didn't seem like it was common knowledge when I visited some of the other towns in the area."

Chaance remembers herself. "Sorry, Rūha, I meant to answer you." She keeps her eyes forward, knowing it's only a matter of time before they encounter something formidable enough to have either delayed, imprisoned, or ended Khonnir Baine and his team.

"You didn't visit Kyonin first, is all." Chaance smiles at the kasatha, the crinkles at the corners of her eyes quite visible behind the lightly fogged goggles. "Elven knowledge runs deep and ancient, and if you're patient, and have the time to hunt for various bindings, there is much to learn about our world, and the worlds beyond. The legends of Castrovel the Green are dear to me. Ever since I was a child, I imagined returning to walk the streets of Sovyrian like my ancestors." Chaance smiles gently.

"Once you read about one planet, it's hard to ignore the others, especially when they strike so close to home."

"Yes, for less – uh – efficient languages it is fine. These sounds let out too much hot air, a waste of energy particularly in the cold weather.”

Chaance takes a good look at the ratfolk, seeing something new, and committing herself to appreciating it, cataloging it. "That is interesting, master Zzvkgrogk. I hadn't thought of it that way."

"And from whom do you borrow books? Whoever they are, they sound like fun.”

The elf takes off her goggles and cleans them quickly, squinting at the ratfolk. "Some of them are, others are anything but."

"You are harvested? Like as a species? Like corn or something?"

Chaance can't stifle a snort quickly enough. Seriously? For the next couple of exchanges between half-elf and kasatha and ysoki, the elf remains respectfully mute.

"It speaks of the homeworld of my ancestors - Kasath - and of the ancient past."

"I'd love to hear more, Rūha." Chaance looks over at Yambul, leading the way. "When we have the time, of course."

Chaance remains in the hallway, waiting for Yambul to try other doors.

Reminded by Yambul of the expedition's main goal, the group makes it back to the corridor. You find your brown access card fails to open the eastern door. Now, for the northern one, it does indeed work and the door slides open.

B13. Observation Room
A large metal table is surrounded by odd-looking chairs in this room. To the west, what appears to be a transparent wall looks out over a strange desert valley. Four pillars support the fifteen-foot-high ceiling, while dozens of crude images of a pickaxe made of a skull and bones have been painted onto the walls with some sort of ivory pigment along with several phrases in an unrecognizable language.

Among the chairs there is a walking corpse of a Kasatha wearing only a few soiled rags. Its flesh rotting off its bones as it stumbles forward, two arms outstretched towards you, and two others holding shortswords.

As the door opens Yambul, Chaance and Rūha are fast to react. For what you know the door will remain open for only this round.
Passing the card through the lector is only a swift action though (if you have it at hand).

Round 1: Yambul, Chaance, Rūha, Hetuath, Zzvkgrogk, Rhoreen

Round 1

For all her astronomical learnings, nothing has prepared Chaance for this moment, her eyes alighting upon the walking corpse, when they only recently enjoyed the company of skeletal kasathas...

"I suppose my arrows are unlikely to injure that? Yambul, I think this is your dance." Her estimation doesn't stop the elf from moving quickly into the room, along the wall, while taking aim at the corpse while she's still free and clear of friendly cover.

MW Longbow, PB: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 piercing damage

"Nope. Well, that was a poor introduction, I confess. Can you talk, master Corpse? We'd like to find our friends, and we'd like to avoid injury."

Yambul thanks everyone for moving on. He’s a little frustrated at the unopened eastern door, but moves on quickly to the other doors, at least for now.

Seeing another of the skeletal forms, this time with weapons, he debates the best move. He’ll 5’ step up a bit, and study the creature (move). He’ll then ready an attack should it close with him.

”C’mon buddy! Your end is right here. C’mon!!” He calls out to the creature, willing it to attack him.

KN Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
KN Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Rūha's gaze sweeps over the room before settling on the undead, seemingly mutant, kasatha. The sight of her kin, however distant, left in this gruesome state prevents her from focusing clearly. Nevertheless, she's able to raise her voice and say "Another one afflicted with the malevolence of undeath. If you must strike, sever the muscle under its arms. The negative energy animating it is clearly still using the fibers there." (Advice, +1 attack/dmg)

She moves up to cover Zvvkgrogk.

On her hurry inside, Chaance's arrow just flies too high.

Yambul steps inside and calls the walking corpse while studying it.

Rūha moves in, giving the best advice she can against the new monstrosity.

Ignoring the enemies piling in the door, the dead Kasatha rushes over the source of the attacks, it reaches Chaance and attempts to stab with his sword "ເຈົ້າປະຖິ້ມພວກເຮົາ. ເຈົ້າຂ້າພວກເຮົາ. ເຈົ້າຈະເຂົ້າຮ່ວມກັບພວກເຮົາດຽວນີ້!"
mwk short sword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 201d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
The blade sinks into the elf's flesh and you see the corpse expression of passion and joy in its face.

The door shakes a bit, menacing to close soon.

Chaance: 10/16 hp
Round 1: Zzvkgrogk, Rhoreen Round 2: Yambul, Chaance, Rūha, Hetuath

Everyone can act!

Round 1, Init 8

Rhoreen moves up and tries her skymetal wand to try to jinx the zombie.

Skymetal Omen: The subject of this omen is jinxed with the unquantifiable nature of skymetal. When the target makes an attack or saving throw during the next round, it must roll twice and take the worse result. A DC 15 Will save negates this effect. 5/50.

"I'm coming Chaance!"

Yambul steps up to the creature swinging away, wishing he had more swings in fact!

Falchion: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24 (studied, advice)
damage: 2d4 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 9 + 2 = 18 (studied, advice)

He rocks forward with the swing, putting his momentum behind the blow.

Will DC 15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
The undead creature seems well infused by the skymetal within which he has inhabited for millennia and is not further affected by Rhoreen's one.

Yambul's steel though is another thing. The heavy metal cuts through, and despite the skin resists partially the edge DR, the exposed chest is opened wide.

Hetuath: 13 damage, considerably damaged
Chaance: 10/16 hp
Round 1: Zzvkgrogk, Rhoreen Round 2: Yambul, Chaance, Rūha, Hetuath

Zzvkgrogk gets the brown card to open the door ready in one paw, Device in the other.

He tries to get in a shot.

PEW-PEW-Pew-Pew

Device: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 5 - 4 = 11
for Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

He waits for the door to slide shut, then presses the card against the door to reopen it Swift

Round 2

Chaance shoots to the back wall, sporting a wound large enough to insert a wax-sealed envelope. As she passes the cook, she levels a lowered brow and a small amount of vexation through her goggled eyes. "I was expecting you to rush at it, Yambul. What kept you?"

Totally Withdrawing.

"I was expecting you to rush at it, Yambul. What kept you?"

”Oh, combats have a rhythm, don’t you feel it? Sometimes you must close, sometimes, well, it's best to let the other close."

"I’d have closed without knowing my enemy, and he’d have hit me four times by now. And no, I don’t relish what the brute is about to do to me.”

Yet Yambul stands there, ready, or so he hopes, for whatever is about to be dished out upon his frame.

Ruha circles around the undead monster (looping eastward to avoid an AoO on the way in), maintaining her ongoing advice "It'll hit you four times yet Yambul, careful." and attempting a quick jab with her fingers into its side.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 = 19 Damage (B): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Zzvkgrogk maintains the door open, but the gesture makes for a poor shot that hits the ceiling with a spark.

Chaance and Yambul discuss while the elf gets into a safer position.

Rūha surrounds the zombi, going with a direct fist, but the hard skin of it seems to absorb it completely.

The not dead fights recklessly both contenders at the same time, his left arms at Rūha.
mwk short sword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 121d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
slam: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
His right ones at Yambul "Ahrg!"
mwk short sword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 211d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
slam: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
While Rūha, used to fight the four-arms, blocks sword and fist, the Kellid is stabbed badly on his chest, bleeding.

Hetuath: 13 damage, considerably damaged
Chaance: 10/16 hp
Yambul: 18/22 hp
Round 2: Zzvkgrogk, Rhoreen Round 3: Yambul, Chaance, Rūha, Hetuath

Yambul is pleased Rūha joined him against the skeletal figure. He still isn’t sure if she’s a full combatant, or just helping out. He smiles either way and steps into a flanking position for her. And then he swings!

Falchion: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14 (studied, advice)
damage: 2d4 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 9 + 2 = 16 (studied, advice)

His step throws off his rhythm and he frowns at the effort.

Round 2, Init 1

Rhoreen tries again to stymie the creature.

Skymetal Omen: The subject of this omen is jinxed with the unquantifiable nature of skymetal. When the target makes an attack or saving throw during the next round, it must roll twice and take the worse result. A DC 15 Will save negates this effect. 6/50.

Zzvkgrogk repeats his previous action, brown card to open the door ready in one paw, Device in the other.

PEW-PEW-PEW!!!

Device: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
for Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"AWRG!" he cries, as he nails the spot on the ceiling once again.

He reopens the door once more when it shuts.

I was hoping you'd delay Yambul so I could give *you* flanking! Especially since it looks like it has enough DR to block my wimpy punches.

Rūha continues her advice, then readies to strike in with her jabbing fingers as Yambul moves into place. She aims for just a single good hit, hoping to provide an opening for the powerful chef (?).

Unarmed, fighting defensively, flank: 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 4 + 3 = 18 Damage (B): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

There was supposed to be a -4 in my attack role, sorry. I intended to post it but somehow managed to fail. I only just now noticed.

Round 3

Chaance inhales, her breath hitching as the stab wound shifts with the filling of her lungs. "Uhhhhhnnn." Steadying herself against the wall, she turns back to face the bladed corpse, and takes aim.

MW Longbow, PB: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 piercing damage

Her pull is weak and stunted, as the pain in her side complains against her physical activity. "Sorry, uhhhnn. Let me just..." The elf composes herself, quietly hoping she won't have to pull a second time in as many moments.

For a corpse, the Kasatha displays astonishingly high reflexes, dodging blade, fist and shots from all the valiant heroes.

Will DC 15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Hetuath very disrespectfully keeps rejecting Rhoreen's skymetal curses.

The left arms go on with their fight against Rūha.
mwk short sword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 91d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
slam: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
And as she blocks with four arms the attacks of the zombi, the corpse opens its dead eyes wide with sudden realization "ເຈົ້າເປັນໜຶ່ງໃນພວກເຮົາ! ແຕ່ເປັນຫຍັງ?! ເປັນ​ຫຍັງ Zyphus ບໍ່​ໄດ້​ລົງໂທດ​ເຈົ້າ​ດ້ວຍ​ຄວາມ​ຕາຍ​ທີ່​ບໍ່​ສະຫງົບ​ນີ້!?"

The other two arms keep their fight on Yambul.
mwk short sword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 251d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
slam: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 161d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
And cut through his left arm as he raises the falchion, all while punching the Kellid belly with a lower fist, leaving him in a very bad condition.

The undead keeps fighting recklessly and with great disregard for his safety, making no effort to get out of the flank.

Hetuath: 13 damage, considerably damaged
Chaance: 10/16 hp
Yambul: 5/22 hp
Round 3: Zzvkgrogk, Rhoreen Round 4: Yambul, Chaance, Rūha, Hetuath

Yambul is hammered - twice. Or rather skewered! Blood flows freely from the painful wounds, but he does not let up, staying in flank and attacking with abandon!

Falchion: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 4 = 12 (studied, advice, flank)

Feeling strongly that he cannot afford another round of sharp sword attacks, he digs deep into himself and calls upon a hero's power!

"No!" he cries as he tries harder. Hero point re-roll

Falchion: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 4 = 23 (studied, advice, flank)
damage: 2d4 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 + 2 = 16 (studied, advice)

Round 3

”Zyphus?!” Zzvkgrogk retorts derisively recognizing only the name of the God. ”Talk about self-fufilling prophecies!”

”EVERYONE FALL BACK!” Let’s get out of here!”

He tries holding the card in the slot to see if it will hold the door open long enough for everyone to evacuate.

Everyone except the Hetuath, that is.

Gah! You are killing me with your saves: 12, 14, 18, 16 have been your last four saves against poor, innocent Rhoreen's magics.

Round 4, Init 1

"Not quite yet. I'm not giving up yet!" Rhoreen replies stubbornly, with pride.

Rhoreen draws an acid flask and prepares to throw it if Yambul and Ruha's attacks don't down the creature.

"ຂ້ອຍ​ຂໍ​ໂທດ. ຄຳສາບແຊ່ງນີ້ແມ່ນມາຈາກຈິດວິນຍານທີ່ສູນເສຍເຈົ້າໜ້ອຍໜຶ່ງ. ຂ້ອຍ..." Rūha winces at the words escaping from the undead kasatha. "ຂ້ອຍສັນຍາວ່າຈະກັບຄືນເຈົ້າໄປສູ່ສັນຕິພາບ."

If the undead creature is still standing, she attempts to interfere with its movements to protect Yambul. Her self-defense courses certainly didn't cover fighting resilient undead, but she manages to get in there a little.

Aid (Yambul's AC): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Yambul strikes Hetuath, its zombi skin preventing the blade to sink in, but the cook brings in strength is only reserved to heroes and with a big NO shout pushes the edge inside the body cutting a quarter part of the corpse, that still keeps attacking despite all.

Zzvkgrogk grogks the door open.

Rhoreen holds the acid up, looking for an entry.

Rūha gives a direct kick on the back-leg unbalancing enough the zombi to make its attacks more difficult.

Seeing it does not fall, Rhoreen throws the acid flask on the undead. It crashes burning its dead skin with its contents with high efficacy, but the acid also splashes over Rūha and Yambul.

Chaance does something heroic!

For all answer to Rūha the zombi makes a loud hateful grunt and redoubles its attacks at side and side.
mwk short sword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 141d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
slam: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 191d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

mwk short sword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 111d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
slam: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 121d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Rūha, well placed, blocks the attacks coming at her and unbalances the undead making an easy job for Yambul to dodge the stabs coming after him.

The zombi is in terrible disarray, with the torso half cut, one arm disjointed and the skin on its head burned and deformed by the acid. Its movements are becoming clumsy and it would seem it would fall with a simple wind blow.

Hetuath: 29 damage, terribly damaged
Chaance: 9/16 hp
Yambul: 5/22 hp
Rūha: 14/15 hp
Round 4: Zzvkgrogk, Rhoreen Round 5: Yambul, Chaance (x2), Rūha, Hetuath

As Zzvkgrogk only really spent a swift action last round, he can use his other actions for that round after seeing the group does not want to leave.

”EVERYONE FALL BACK!”

”On my way!” Yambul agrees it is time to back off for some healing.

He can’t get away without an AoO however, so he’ll fight defensively and just take a 5’ step into position for now. He moves after he swings so as to keep flank for now.

Falchion: 1d20 + 6 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 0 = 20 (studied, advice, flank, defensively)
damage: 2d4 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 9 + 2 = 15 (studied, advice)

"Everyone get behind me!"

Round 4, Init 1

Rhoreen draws one of her bigger curing potions and moves to administer it to Yambul next round.

She has no intention to flee just yet, stubbornly holding her ground.

Zzvkgrogk III delays holding the door open, Device ready in his other paw.

Ruha keeps pace with Yambul, trying to act as cover for the warrior. She once more attempts to intercept any attacks aimed in his direction. "Get behind you? I don't think so. You're the one who's injured."

Aid Yambul's AC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Yambul heroically sets himself in the middle despite his bad state. As the others set the ground to keep the good cook in the fight, the kellid slices the zombi, hitting again in the chunk of the torso that already shows open bone.

Despite the resistance to the non-magical blade, the body finally collapses into the metallic ground of the room.

Combat is over!

Hetuath: 39 damage, destroyed
Chaance: 9/16 hp
Yambul: 5/22 hp
Rūha: 14/15 hp

The defeated corpse, now quiet, has some belongings, most prominently his red cloak that shines with a magical aura under the proper divination spells.

Now that you have the time to check it, you observe someone has written all around sentences over the metal.

Chaance chides herself for her inaction. "Sorry, all. I don't know what came over me. I've had my share of injuries, but nothing like this." She looks at the cook, who has fared worse than she.

"Yambul, you fought heroically. And against something horrific, too. I thought the skeletons were off-putting..." Chaance does find the corpse interesting, more so now that it's no longer dangerous. She waits until they can heal up, before she takes a longer look at the newly dead undead.

"Rūha, you spoke with it. What did it say, and what did you reply?"

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Spellcraft

"Sorry about that bit of acid splash. I had to do something," Rhoreen offers a non-apology apology because she *had* to do something.

Rhoreen will offer Yambul the potion she pulled out, but thinks he'll probably go for the healing wands instead, but she makes the offer. And then she inspects the dead, with Detect Magic, and identifies the cloak as an item of interest.

"Can anyone read this? If not...I'll try something to make it out," Rhoreen asks, looking at Ruha, pointing to the metal sentences.