Rūha sighs in relief that Yambul intervened with enough eloquence to halt the mad mission of these androids. Ethically, she wants to leave them with some questions to mull on to hopefully pull them away from their self-destructive path. But at the same time, she senses how close these pilgrims came to violence, and doesn't want to give them another reason to return to their earlier agenda. She simply says "I hope you find peace with yourselves as your continue your journey" as she steps out of the cave.
Once a little distance has been built, she murmurs to the others "Omed seems a cruel sort to set this lot on the path of hating themselves. I should like to speak with him if we ever come across him..."
The elfdroid nods as the kasatha speaks on Omed. "The self-destructive element is concerning."
Chaance turns to Zzvkgrogk. "Fortunately, mindless constructs aren't they only thing capable of reprogramming." Chaance nods to Yambul, glad to see the cook season his dish with words this time.
Yambul, sensing the peace is a tenuous one, backs out of the chamber with Rüha. Once they're well away though, he chastises Chaance a bit as he pats him on the shoulder in a friendly manner and with a grin on his face.
"Look, I'm fine not killing everyone we meet, but I am not giving them my gear when this is over. Stop promising more than your own you know?"
He's not that bothered by it, especially as tough as they looked. A little lie was better than death and destruction - and he's not above a little bluffing of his own from time to time.
He continues to head west with the group.
"I'll let you know when I start promising, Yambul. My question was posed as a hypothetical."
Chaance enjoys distancing herself from the android cave, prepared to take another section of the Scar in hand, and reveal its mysteries.
The cool morning air gradually gives way to the warmth of the midday sun as you leave the cave behind and continue your exploration of the valley. The rugged terrain becomes a forest as you press on to the west, but the landscape remains quiet and uneventful.
You move through two more areas without encountering any notable sites or dangers. The valley is filled with a serene stillness, the only sounds being the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds.
By midday, you arrive at the familiar river fork where you previously met Hyrsek. The gentle sound of flowing water provides a soothing backdrop as you pause to rest and reassess your plans.
The tiefling, leaning against a tree with a mischievous glint in his eyes, looks at you all and smirks "Well, well, well. Seems we are back where we met. We've survived quite a few adventures, but no Therace yet."
"How about we make this pit stop a bit more enjoyable? What do you say we have a proper lunch? I’ve got some supplies stashed nearby that would make for quite the feast. And who knows, maybe a full stomach will bring us some good fortune for whatever direction we take next" he winks, clearly relishing the idea of a leisurely meal in the midst of your journey.
"Well, well, well. Seems we are back where we met. We've survived quite a few adventures, but no Therace yet. What do you say we have a proper lunch? "
Rhoreen huffs in return.
"I've suggested going north then east repeatedly, as I'm sure that's probably where our quarry lies, to the north, then either the east or west," she smugs back. "If you had just listened to me to begin with, we'd be having a celebratory feast. However, if you have enjoyable provisions, I see no need not to enjoy them. We accomplished some things in going the wrong way again and again, so it's not like we've wasted all our time."
Rūha crosses one set of arms "I suppose it can't hurt. Though we've wandered enough already that maybe we'd be better served picking up your supplies and continuing. Maybe we can make some more ground today."
She nods to Rhor "Thanks to the Grove, we have at least a landmark to the west. Maybe we should scout out and evaluate what lies that way first, then decide whether to head north afterward?"
"Thanks to the Grove, we have at least a landmark to the west. Maybe we should scout out and evaluate what lies that way first, then decide whether to head north afterward?"
"Sure," Rhoreen says as her very wise counsel is ignored again. She only has a hunch, and it could be wrong, but that happens so infrequently, they might as well do the right thing first.
As you all settle down for lunch, the tension eases, and the atmosphere becomes more relaxed. The food is surprisingly good, and the break provides an opportunity to share stories, discuss strategies, and plan your next move. The tiefling's provisions are a welcome treat, and even Rhoreen's mood might lighten a bit as you all enjoy the moment of respite.
Hyrsek gave Rhoreen a mischievous grin while slicing a piece of cured meat "If we'd listened to you from the start, we might already be done with our quest. But think of all the lovely detours and fascinating missteps we've had! Well, that, and all the lovely loot we have gathered so far. Most places have brought us some new treasure. I'd say our collection of spoils makes all those 'wrong turns' quite worth it, don’t you think?"
After enjoying your lunch, the group presses on, following the river upstream towards the west. The terrain is rugged, and the path meandered through thick underbrush and rocky outcrops. As you venture further, the sound of the river grows louder, guiding you like a faithful companion.
By mid-afternoon, you reach a clearing where the river widens into a small, stagnant lake. The air is thick with a vile stench that makes your eyes water and your stomachs churn. Before you lays the decomposing remains of an immense alien structure, a grotesque organic hulk that sprawls across the landscape.
What great beast this enormous hulk once was is hard to say. Now it rots in the sun, the vile odor aggressively assaulting the air around it. The thing is over four hundred feet long, its bulbous body rising half that height into the sky. Vast folds of rugose fat, coils of thick mottled tentacles, greasy bulbs and slippery knobs, spiny ridges, and stranger organs lie sprawled in every direction. Patches of red fungus grow in the shady nooks on the thing, but in most places its hide is reminiscent of an elephant’s coarse skin, with patches of shiny octagonal scales and tufts of wiry hair-like growths. Pustules are scattered on its leathery surface, some of which have burst, oozing a viscous yellow-green liquid. The water around it is stained and foul, and no plant life grows within a few hundred feet of the remains.
The stench is overpowering, and everyone within 100 yards of the suppurating mass risks becoming sickened .
The stagnant water around the ship ripples ominously, hinting at the presence of something large lurking beneath the surface.
"If we'd listened to you from the start, we might already be done with our quest … Most places have brought us some new treasure. I'd say our collection of spoils makes all those 'wrong turns' quite worth it, don’t you think?"
Whether he notices the mischief in Hyrsek’s voice or not, Zzvkgrogk heartily agrees. ”Yes! Whenever possible, save the best for last.”
~~~~
The stench is overpowering, and everyone within 100 yards of the suppurating mass risks becoming sickened
Zzvkgrock gags a bit.
”Yow! See what I mean?! Careful! There’s something under the muck! ”
If given a five foot step away from the muck, Zzvkgrogk would take it.
Weapon Equipped = Chainsaw (60m)
Conditions = Carrot (+4 perception 16/24h)
Chainsaw: Att: 10/5 BAB +6 Str +1 magic (-3 PA) Dam: +9 Str +1 magic (+9 PA) Crit: 15-20x2 DR: adamantine, magic Charges: 0/10
Falchion: Att: 10/5 BAB +6 Str +1 MW (-3 PA) Dam: +9 Str (+9 PA) Crit: 18-20x2 DR: adamantine
Chef’s knife: Att: 10/5 BAB +1 magic +6 Str / +2 Dex (-3 PA) Dam: +6 Str (+6 PA) +1 magic Crit: 19-20x2 DR: magic Rng: 10’
Studied: (Hyrsek) (mv|sw|im; +3 att, dam, bluff, disguise, intimidate, knowledge, perception, sense motive, stealth, survival)
Improved Iron Will (1/1d, reroll will save)
Spells: (1/1d, st, Magic Missile, cl 3) (1/1d, st, Prestidigitation, cl1) (1/1d, st, Shield, cl9)
Veggies: Apple x2, Carrot, Mushroom, Peppers x2
- - -
Yambul quickly takes out his chainsaw and fires it up when Zzvkgrogk calls out the warning.
vs DC 20
He gaggeth not, though he doesn't enjoy it much either as he steps (5' step) closer to the water's edge.
Chaance immediately grows unwell in proximity to the dropship. "Agreed. There is something here which has not been discouraged by the stench."
Chaance retreats from the water's edge, expecting something to emerge at any second.
At the ship, Rhoreen magics up.
Fort
And, surprisingly, is immune from the stench. She has no explanation for it, but she avoids heaving hunks down from the heavens from where she flies, 30' up.
Perception
"We're definitely staying out of the water. Whatever that was, it seemed big," she agrees with Zzvkgrogk.
"Revolting." Ruha watches the decomposing hulk with one hand over her forehead. "I can't imagine what monstrosity is willing to swim in the same water as that... mass. What do you all think? Anyone particularly inclined to look closer at whatever this is? I feel I could pass."
Zzvkgrogk steps back just in time as an oversized giant fish jumps out of the water and tries to snap in the air.
You recognize this as a magical beast, a Lukwata to be more precise.
A lukwata’s unusual ability to disrupt magical effects rises from the strange crystalline growths that line its throat and stomach—crystals that allow the lukwata to gain nutrients from magical items as efficiently as from flesh and blood. These same growths give the lukwata an unusually strong resistance to all manner of magic attacks.
Lukwatas hate crocodiles, their chief predatory rivals, and attack them on sight. These fights are renowned for inflicting great destruction.
The creature quickly retreats to the depths of the lake until it is no more than a shadow in the murky water.
It is clear you cannot reach the entrance to this structure swimming without meeting closely with the big fish.
"Aaahaa!" Zzvkgrogk cries, nearly losing his balance as he hastily steps away. "It is a Lukwata! They like to swallow magical items, but fortunately -- you can hit it with non-magical weapons if you want to get around their supernatural toughness. Also, they like to grapple and dispel your buffs with a bite! A dispel magic on it might delay that effect, though."
He gazes into the depths after the overgrown shadowy fish. "We will need to get past this to get where we need to be." He pulls out a few grenades. "I wonder if it would like to swallow these... Well, shall we press on, or take some time to prepare?"
Weapon Equipped = Falchion
Conditions = Carrot (+4 perception 16/24h)
Chainsaw: Att: 10/5 BAB +6 Str +1 magic (-3 PA) Dam: +9 Str +1 magic (+9 PA) Crit: 15-20x2 DR: adamantine, magic Charges: 10/10
Falchion: Att: 10/5 BAB +6 Str +1 MW (-3 PA) Dam: +9 Str (+9 PA) Crit: 18-20x2 DR: adamantine
Chef’s knife: Att: 10/5 BAB +1 magic +6 Str / +2 Dex (-3 PA) Dam: +6 Str (+6 PA) +1 magic Crit: 19-20x2 DR: magic Rng: 10’
Studied: (Hyrsek) (mv|sw|im; +3 att, dam, bluff, disguise, intimidate, knowledge, perception, sense motive, stealth, survival)
Improved Iron Will (1/1d, reroll will save)
Spells: (1/1d, st, Magic Missile, cl 3) (1/1d, st, Prestidigitation, cl1) (1/1d, st, Shield, cl9)
Veggies: Apple x2, Carrot, Mushroom, Peppers x2
- - -
”No magic huh?” Yambul deactivates and puts away his chainsaw… after first changing out the now empty battery.
He draws his nonmagical falchion. ”Hope I don’t get swallowed!” he chuckles, though he does have a nonmagical dagger as well as his magical one.
He’ll then, when everyone is ready, walk to the waterline, wade in a little, and slap the water with his blade. ”C’mon fishy, fishy! Let’s play!”
Know (Arcana)
Rhoreen moves up to 60' up in the air, not wanting to get close to grappling with that thing.
"We can probably avoid it, but it might be best to get rid of it while we can," Rhoreen suggests, ready to bring her magics to bear.
Looking at the tiefling, she wonders if he has non-magical solutions to help against the creature.
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"Get rid of the fish? Or that decomposing colossus...?" Ruha is far from sure she wants to get close to that stench, and she's secretly hoping that the team will decide to leave the lake and everything in it alone for now and possibly the forseeable future. When Yambul doesn't hesitate to start wading in she takes out a rope and ties it between Yambul and herself, hoping that if he gets grabbed she'll serve as enough of an anchor to keep the lukwata from dragging him into the depths of the lake. "Careful now."
She readies her autograpnel for some potential "spearfishing".
As soon as Yambul splashes the water, the Lukwata starts quickly swimming towards the surface!
Zzvkgrogk and Rūha are ready to react when the fish reaches the surface, but before it engages Yambul!
Zzvkgrogk casts Fly. He moves up 20' out of reach of the fish, and flies to hover just in front of and over Yambul.
"Here, fishy fishy fishy!"
Rūha readies to fire her autograpnel at the fish the moment it reaches the surface to bite at the "lure" currently dangling his feet in the shallows.
Zzvkgrogk quickly takes flight while Rūha sees her autograpnel just splashing on the water as the fish jumps out and reaches for Yambul at the shore.
The Lukwata snaps at the Kellid and holds it tight grasped by the arm while its teeth tears him down, bringing him onto the water, and shaking him in the air to right and left.
Weapon Equipped = Dagger
Conditions = Carrot (+4 perception 16/24h)
Chainsaw: Att: 10/5 BAB +6 Str +1 magic (-3 PA) Dam: +9 Str +1 magic (+9 PA) Crit: 15-20x2 DR: adamantine, magic Charges: 10/10
Falchion: Att: 10/5 BAB +6 Str +1 MW (-3 PA) Dam: +9 Str (+9 PA) Crit: 18-20x2 DR: adamantine
Chef’s knife: Att: 10/5 BAB +1 magic +6 Str / +2 Dex (-3 PA) Dam: +6 Str (+6 PA) +1 magic Crit: 19-20x2 DR: magic Rng: 10’
Studied: (Hyrsek, Great Big Fish) (mv|sw|im; +3 att, dam, bluff, disguise, intimidate, knowledge, perception, sense motive, stealth, survival)
Improved Iron Will (1/1d, reroll will save)
Spells: (1/1d, st, Magic Missile, cl 3) (1/1d, st, Prestidigitation, cl1) (1/1d, st, Shield, cl9)
Veggies: Apple x2, Carrot, Mushroom, Peppers x2
- - -
Prior to being swallowed whole (if he lives that long - 4d10! Plus a ton!) Yambul grabs his dagger, studies his opponent, and stabs!
(study)
(study)
Zzvkgrogk descends 5 feet and levels his dragon pistol on the nasty large mouth eel.
”Take this, overgrown ganglion!”
KA-POW
For
6 first, 5 Second, 4 Third
(1st)
(1st) True Strike
(1st)
(1st) Shield
(1st) Adhesive Spittle
(1st) Reduce Person
(2nd)
(2nd) Invisibility
(2nd)
(2nd) See Invisiblity
(2nd) Extreme Flexibility
(3rd) Animal Aspect. Greater
(3rd) Spider Climb, Communal
(3rd) Haste
(3rd) Fly
Can use craft (alchemy) to identify potions as if using Detect Magic
Hits: 53/53
AC Current: 29/21/23
AC: 19 / 15 / 15 (Normal/Touch/Flatfooted)
Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 40/50
Radiation Detector (3/10 charges)
Laser Pistol (Charges): 5/10
Arc Pistol (Charges}: 8/10
Batteries Charged): 11/20
Empty Battieries: 9 /20
Zzvkgrogk Special (Alchemical Ordinance): 12/13
Hero: 2/3
Ruha drops her useless autograpnel and begins offering a quick spot of advice on the best points to target as she moves in to support Yambul. Concerned that Yambul won't be able to sustain another similar bite, she gives quick advice on wriggling while restrained by a creature's jaws while moving into melee.
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Round 1
Rhoreen moves down to save Yambul’s literal hide, and skin, and bones, and everything else. She cast DDoor and move to touch Yambul, teleporting herself and the human fish bait away and onto dry land.
Ruha saves me. I save the cook. The cook saves a bigger portion of dessert for Ruha. The circle will be complete.
HP: 62/62 + temp
AC: 12/12/10 (+4 w/Mage Armor)
F+5, R+6, W+8
Open spell slots:
Left Hand: nothing
Right Hand: Ember Staff (8/9 charges)
Ring of Forcefangs (7/9 charges)
Lighten Up: 0/1 used
Rod of Extend, lesser: 3/3 used (heroism, mage armors (herself & Ruha)
Rod of Extend, lesser: 1/3 used (heroism,
PoP 1: 0/2 used
PoP 2: 0/1 used
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] ranged to hit;
[ dice]1d4-1[/dice] blunt damage
Phasing: The drinker gains the ability to become incorporeal for 1d4 rounds as a swift action, but takes 1 point of Con damage when he does so. Phasing can be extended as a free action by taking 1 additional point of Con damage. Coming out of phase inside a solid object is instantly fatal.
”I can do it myself!!”
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] CLW
"zzvkgrogk!"
force damage (9/50 left)
Delay Pain is actually: Drain Construct
2nd—magic missile;
4th—knock;
6th—fireball;
8th—restoration;
10th—maximized scorching ray;
12th—mass bull’s strength;
14th—greater restoration;
16th—empowered and maximized fireball;
18th—empowered and maximized fire shield.
Rhoreen focuses the irascible energies of her skymetal rod at the least wounded plant foe. She focuses taking the heat from around the creature, trying to leave it frozen and alone.
AC = 17
HP =
Weapon Equipped = Einior
Condition(s) = None
"Well, I'm at a loss. Both Einior and Tuilindo are ineffective weapons here..." Chaance turns to the others. "Anyone have something I can throw at it? I failed to consider this scenario."
The elfdroid delays, and retreats from the water's edge for now.
"So you do a little less damage - you can at least shoot!"
Yambul is upset at being so far from the action, but perhaps he and Zzvkgrogk are the only ones who can effect it. Maybe they can't fight it...