[AP] Iron Gods by GM Rutseg

Game Master Balacertar

Maukui...

Maukui.

Chaance's quiet following behind becomes something quietly defiant, as she hears the voice before seeing the dragon. She breaches the lair before truly understanding what Maukui currently wears as protective skin.

Finally. Here you hide. And here you will die.

The elfdroid speaks none of this aloud, thinks none of this to communicate with the intellect devourer, but it is plain on her stoic face that she is determined to engage the dragon sooner than later.

"Yes, Maukui. You are right that we at a loss regarding the Dweller and the Dominion here. We are still learning about you, and what we might gain for entering a detente with a creature like you. After all, you killed me, remember?"

Rūha crosses two pairs of arms. Given what they'd seen at the Choking Tower, it seems all but certain that the AI core Maukui is mentioning is the same one the party is here to find. Together with some signs of Casandalee hopefully, as well as the neurocam. And that means there's no way she's letting the intellect devourer getting its grubby tentacles on it. Still, the others seemed content to try to lead the creature on, so she stays quiet and lets them do so.

Sense Motive to read the truth in its responses: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35

A void dragon though? That can't be good.

​​Trustworthiness, you say? If I recall, you were the ones who failed to hold to our prior agreement at the Choking Tower. Did I not gave you the information you sought, yet you did not return the favor?

Zzvkgrogk chortles. He thinks to himself, so as not to ire the pathetic aberration.

Instead he articulates, struggling not to betray his true thoughts, twisting the chortle into something more amicable. ”What are you doing in a place like … a void dragon – a void dragon who appears to be – is this a prison for you? ”

Once again he abruptly changes his tone to more businesslike. ”Nonetheless, we’re intrigued. Did you have a plan or an outline of attack? What’s the proposed approach?”

Rhoreen does not yet engage, waiting to hear what the party thinks of the offer. She will likely follow it.

”Yeah, we want to know,” Rhoreen backs up Zzvkgrogk.

The dragon smiles, mostly at Chaance's words Well then, I can tell you the AI core is guarded I suspect behind a portal by the end of the Hive. What dangers lie beyond, I cannot say because I have never been there, but only the yah-thelgaads can activate this portal by touching it. I think though, you could use a limb from one of those to activate it

Also, I will transmit telepathically all the details about the powers and weaknesses of Dweller-In-Dark-Places so you can more easily defeat it. It is a terrible enemy you sense the information filling over your brains It has power to see all around the Hive, but fear not, I have cloaked this room and it should not know about our agreement. To the east there is a prison. To the west there is the core of the hive, with the nursery and the lab. I just ask you to spare Paajgat, the Kyton. I do not care about what you do with the others

Oh, and if you are to succeed at bringing me back the core AI, you should note the plasma pits. It is even more tricky than it seems because there is a hidden reverse gravity field. The Dweller-In-Dark-Places just navigates the place by flight there is a small silence and the dragon makes a dismiss sign to let you go I have done my part of the deal, now you have to do your part. As for my plans, they should not be of your business, but note I am not here to take over the Divinity's Drive as the Dominion, but moved by the strange personality of the AI core. I am just a student of technology, and the Dominion brought me here as a scholar, but I am done with them.

Rhoreen takes in the details of the creatures and even asks a few follow up questions, and is happy to translate any of the more confusing aspects of the communication to the others.

”…so, we’ll have to find good ways to beat them. It won’t be easy,” she summarizes.

She nods at the void dragon’s final words, wondering if there would be a time where she was done with the Dominion as well.

”I think this could work. Yambul? Ruha? You okay with this?”

Rūha shrugs. The group has the information Maukui was willing to share, and she's about as far from committed to aid it as its possible to be. Whatever the intellect devourer wanted, it was clear that it would happily commit atrocities to achieve its goals. That it was willing to deal now just meant it was not confident in doing this on its lonesome. "The Dweller does sound like a dangerous monster. But we've managed much more than I would have dreamed possible, so I suppose we'll do it again somehow."

She studiously avoids committing to anything.

Hmm, it's just like answering emails from my dean.

Yambul shrugs looking at Zzvkgrogk. "We'll see."

He expects a double-cross, and is almost looking forward to it.

He grins and suggests, "Shall we get going then? Free the prisoners to the east now, or leave 'em to the end? I like freeing folk as soon as you can, but I don't want 'em underfoot either. Might be that a few more minutes is better for them. I dunno."

He looks to the others for a solution to the dilemma, and heads in that direction.

Zzvkgrogk shakes his head. ”Who knows if they’re monitoring the prison entrance. If we do that first and they are monitoring we might alert them to our presence and lose any surprise we might garner and maintain. Focus. Let’s stick to our task. They’ll be free soon enough!”

He gestures toward the hive core.

Yambul grins - solution achieved!

He revs his chainsaw, and heads west.

Rhoreen agrees, following to the west.

Prisoners? Around here? What were they even doing here? This place is a wasteland.

As soon as the group is a little to the west Ruha suggests in a whisper "Personally, I'd like any potential prisoners to be out of Maukui's clutches. Or at least out of his immediate strike radius. Can we do that first?"

Whatever Chaance thinks about this negotiation with Maukui, she shares none of it in the void dragon's presence. She fails to answer her murderer, simply annotates the useful bits of intelligence regarding other threats within the Hive.

She also marks the kyton for death, damn the consequences.

"It feels more important to disable the Dweller. Its omniscience is vexing."

As soon as the group is a little to the west Ruha suggests in a whisper "Personally, I'd like any potential prisoners to be out of Maukui's clutches. Or at least out of his immediate strike radius. Can we do that first?"

"But what will we do with the prisoners? I doubt they're in any shape to fight. We don't want them with us, they might be targeted. We can't just leave them outside somewhere, unprotected - that's not safe either." Yambul isn't sure, but he shakes his head, "I just don't see how we protect them if we free them now, before we're ready to leave."

After some deliberations you take the way to the west. A few meters later, you find an alien valve, which opens under the pepper application.

M8. Shipmind Nursery
Several fluid-filled cylindrical tanks composed of a strangely flexible glass-like material, extend from pucker-like rings set into the floor of this crocodilian-leather-sheathed chamber. Each tank is filled with a bubbling mass of blue fluid and organic matter.

In the center of the chamber, a massive, crab-like monstrosity turns its lamprey-like mouth towards you. Its body bristle with twitching eyes on stalks, each one holding a humanoid brain encased within bulbous blisters on its back.

The larger alien is served by four small partially mechanical, partially organic spiders. A single crystalline eye glares from their hideous faces.

The larger alien, apparently on command, is the first one to take notice of your presence. It blasts a lightning bolt barraging all through most of the party while its voice echoes telepathically in your minds Fools, you trespass upon the cradle of our ascension. Your thoughts will fuel the minds of the future, your bodies, mere vessels for our return. Leave, or face the storm of annihilation
Electrical damage (Ref DC 18 for half): 10d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 6, 5, 2, 2, 3, 2, 1) = 30
The sparks come with an extra sparkling that dazzle anyone not able to save against the lightning.

Chaance: 1 damage
Rhoreen: 3 damage, flying 10', mage armor 22 h, heroism 205 min, overland flight 11 h, filter mask
Rūha: mage armor 22 h, heroism 205 min, barkskin 205 min
Yambul: 1 damage, heroism 205 min, barkskin 205 min
Hyrsek: 10 damage, 3 Wis drain, 5 Con drain, 1 Int drain
Zzvkgrogk: 2 Int damage
Round 1: Larger alien, Hyrsek, Rūha, Rhoreen, Zzvkgrogk, Yambul, Chaance, Smaller aliens

New western Hive map is now available!

Rhoreen's face wrinkles up in thought as she thinks, as her research in this particular area lags behind her other, better, and much more smug studies.

1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 2 = 27 Know (Dungeoneering)
1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 2 = 23 Know (Dungeoneering)
1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 2 = 27 Know (Dungeoneering)

Rhoreen tries to avoid the unpleasantness.

1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20 Reflex (15 damage)

She talks about the creatures she recognizes and ponders her response.

Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Ruha bends out of the way of the worst of the lightning and then makes her way in, offering Advice to the party as she does (+3/+3). She tartly comments to the neh-thallgu "No minds or bodies today, I'm afraid. We'll go with the annihilation storm option."

Auto made know the Dungeon DC30 to Rhoreen.

"So, is this what a ‘nursery’ is?” Zzvkgrogk asks, still not completely comprehending what it is that he is looking at.

Then comes the Neh-Thalggu.

”AAh!” Zzvkgrogk instinctively five foot steps into the doorway and raises his laser pistol . He shoots at the enormous bug!
”Is this the one we need a piece of? I mean – literally?” He shoots to dismember the creature from the required part.

rtchrtchrtchrtchrtchrtch!
Laser++: 1d20 + 18 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 18 - 2 + 3 = 39 Touch, -DeadlyAim, + Rūha
for Damage: 1d6 + 5d6 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + (6, 5, 1, 5, 3) + 10 + 3 = 39 Zzvkgrogk Special, Deadly Aim, + Rūha

Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 18 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 18 - 2 + 3 = 22 Touch, -DeadlyAim, + Rūha
for Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12 Deadly Aim, + Rūha

Yambul tries not to get too badly zapped.
Reflex: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 2 = 18 (heroism) vs DC 18 for 15hp damage

”Yup! This looks like the spot.” He revs his chainsaw and double moves into the chamber, studying the white spider as he goes by. He goes around white - so no opportunity attack - just in case.

Round 1

Rhoreen moves into the room, trying to avoid being too close to her companions, lest another area effect spell is deployed.
She targets white with her icy stare, bolstered by the mercurial magicks of her skymetal rod.
3d8 ⇒ (6, 7, 7) = 20 cold damage, DC 22 Fort for half.  If the target fails, it is paralyzed & unconscious while the ice lasts. (20 hp) If the target is broken free, it is staggered for 1d4 rounds.

Round 1

Knowledge(Dungeoneering) v DC 30: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22
Knowledge(Dungeoneering) v DC 19: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26
Knowledge(Dungeoneering) v DC 17 Auto

Chaance lays eyes on the Neh-Thalggu, and her vision narrows, recognizing it as the greatest threat in the room beyond the sphincter. From her vantage, she sends several regards. She'll step closer, if only a little, if she needs to leverage her directionals.

Einior...: 1d20 + 18 + 3 + 4 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 18 + 3 + 4 - 3 - 2 = 23 for 1d8 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 = 23 piercing, magical damage, including Roo and Favored Enemy

Einior...: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 4 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 3 + 4 - 3 - 2 = 30 for 1d8 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 = 19 piercing, magical damage, including Roo and Favored Enemy

Einior...: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 4 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 3 + 4 - 3 - 2 = 18 for 1d8 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 = 18 piercing, magical damage, including Roo and Favored Enemy

Einior...: 1d20 + 18 + 3 + 4 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 3 + 4 - 3 - 2 = 34 for 1d8 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 = 24 piercing, magical damage, including Roo and Favored Enemy

Chaance Ref DC 18 (evasion): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36
Hyrsek Ref DC 18 (evasion): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

Rūha starts advising the party, which moves into the room with shoots and saw.

Zzvkgrogk burns good part of the creature with his well placed shots.

Yambul gets away of the bolt partially unscathed and reaches the neh-thalggu.

The ugothokra results to endure Rhoreen's coldness better than expected, and remains strong in place.
Fort DC 22: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Chaance manages two arrows into the large alien, who starts to bleed badly.

Hyrsek moves to the first enemy on reach, skewering through with his rapier.
Frost rapier (flatfooted): 1d20 + 19 + 3 - 4 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 19 + 3 - 4 + 3 = 36
Vital strike damage+sneak attack: 2d6 + 4 + 1d6 + 3d6 + 3 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 + (1) + (3, 6, 3) + 3 + 8 + 3 = 43

Improved critical?: 1d20 + 19 + 3 - 4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 3 - 4 + 3 = 25
Vital strike damage: 2d6 + 4 + 3 + 1d6 + 3d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 + 3 + (5) + (4, 4, 3) + 8 + 3 = 46
The blade crosses through a vital spot in the alien anatomy, when the tiefling retreats his arm, the ugothokra falls unconscious to the ground.
Ref vs blood DC 20: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

The ugothokras start to move towards you launching their sprays, the first one over Hyrsek.
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 281d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 221d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 161d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 261d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Fort DC 19: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 261d3 ⇒ 1
Fort DC 19: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 311d3 ⇒ 2

The white one retaliates against Rhoreen.
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 291d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 161d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 311d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 181d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
All of the sprays fall on her and menace to transmit their illnesses.
Four Fort DC 19 vs disease

The last one just moves closer and launches at Yambul.
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 251d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The cook man also takes the attention of the larger alien who tries to freeze him on place Suffer the annihilation then!
@Yambul: Will DC 18 vs hold person

Neh-Thalggu: 84 damage
White: 10 damage
Red: 89 damage
Chaance: 1 damage
Rhoreen: 37 damage, flying 10', mage armor 22 h, heroism 205 min, overland flight 11 h, filter mask
Rūha: 15 damage, mage armor 22 h, heroism 205 min, barkskin 205 min
Yambul: 16 damage, heroism 205 min, barkskin 205 min
Hyrsek: 34 damage, 3 Wis drain, 5 Con drain, 1 Int drain
Zzvkgrogk: 2 Int damage
Round 2: Larger alien, Hyrsek, Rūha, Rhoreen, Zzvkgrogk, Yambul, Chaance, Smaller aliens

Apologies, GM. Overlooked the need for a Reflex Save.

Round 2

Chaance studies the Neh-Thalggu, its exterior waving off two of her rapidly-fired arrows, so she slows her pace, and tries to bury another couple into its carapace. She hopes it breaks any attempt to produce magical effects again.

Einior...: 1d20 + 18 + 3 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 18 + 3 + 4 - 3 = 27 for 1d8 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 = 21 piercing, magical damage, including Roo and Favored Enemy

Einior...: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 3 + 4 - 3 = 31 for 1d8 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 = 20 piercing, magical damage, including Roo and Favored Enemy

Einior...: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 3 + 4 - 3 = 31 for 1d8 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 3 + 4 + 6 = 18 piercing, magical damage, including Roo and Favored Enemy

"Hold in there, Yambul. It will fall sooner than later..."

Zzvkgrogk takes aim at the would-be Yah-thelgaad Neh-Thalggu and fires.

Not sure if there is cover because it's large?

rtchrtchrtchrtchrtchrtch!
Laser++: 1d20 + 18 - 2 - 4 - 2 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 18 - 2 - 4 - 2 + 3 - 2 = 21 Touch, -DeadlyAim, -Cover?, +Rūha, -Range, Semiauto
for Damage: 1d6 + 5d6 + 6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + (3, 5, 1, 6, 6) + 6 + 4 + 3 = 36 Zzvkgrogk Special, Deadly Aim, + Rūha

Laser++: 1d20 + 18 - 2 - 4 - 2 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 18 - 2 - 4 - 2 + 3 - 2 = 19 Touch, -DeadlyAim, -Cover?, + Rūha, -Range, Semiauto
for Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 4 + 3 = 13 Deadly Aim, + Rūha

He ducks back behind the corner and reloads.

sshhhtck!

Ruha maintains her Advice and steps a little past Hyrsek. Calling upon her connection to the unknown future, she forms a phantom flamethrower in her hands and unleashes a cone of flame upon two of the foes (if red is still up, it'll be green and red fitting into a 30ft cone, otherwise it'll be green and blue. Casting dragon breath for 1 ki. DC21 Reflex halves.)

Flamethrower damage (F): 11d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 5, 5, 3, 6, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4) = 37

1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14 Fort
1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19 Fort
1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 24 Fort
1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 = 23 Fort

”Oh, that’s gross. Ugh.” Rhoreen says, planning what to do next.

Will: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 = 12 (heroism) vs DC 18 or be held!

Yambul fights against the hold, utilizing his improved willpower to reroll!

Will: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 2 = 25 (heroism) vs DC 18 or be held!

Sweating, he manages to throw off the yoke of magic!

He 5' steps, studies big red, and swings! If the larger foe is down, he'll instead study green and attack white.

Chainsaw: 1d20 + 18 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 18 + 8 = 27 (hero, studied, advice)
damage S: 3d6 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (5, 4, 3) + 19 + 6 = 37 (studied, advice)

Chainsaw: 1d20 + 10 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 8 = 22 (hero, studied, advice)
damage S: 3d6 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3, 1) + 19 + 6 = 31 (studied, advice)

Chainsaw: 1d20 + 5 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 8 = 14 (hero, studied, advice)
damage S: 3d6 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 19 + 6 = 33 (studied, advice)

What a horrible set of rolls! Three 1's in one post!

Chaance's arrows land accurately with hunter's precision, leaving the creature mortally wounded.

Zzvkgrogk finds aim over the heads of the party into the larger alien. The first blast is what it needed to just fall. The body collapses to the ground, and the ratfolk retargets the last shot on white.

The Ugothokras burn like alien oil under Rūha's sudden burst of flames!
Green Ref DC 21: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Blue Ref DC 21: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Rhoreen finds herself suddenly physically and intellectually drained, but does something heroic for sure anyway!
Con drain: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Int drain: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Yambul fights the Neh-Thalggu's magic with heroism, but the restrains are potent enough that he stumbles himself and barely manages to avoid falling when he moves to attack the white Ugothokra.

Hyrsek moves around the tank, and with a flashing movement intervenes to sneak attack on that same urgathokra.
Frost rapier+flank: 1d20 + 19 + 3 - 4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 19 + 3 - 4 + 3 + 2 = 25
Vital strike damage+sneak attack: 2d6 + 4 + 1d6 + 3d6 + 3 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 + (3) + (2, 6, 1) + 3 + 8 + 3 = 36
Ref vs blood DC 20: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
The attack is weak, but the rapier nevertheless causes a painful wound.

The two southern Ugothokras cluster around Rūha after firing their flechette sprays.
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 141d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 161d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 221d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 271d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Bite: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 261d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 311d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 141d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 221d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 151d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Bite: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 241d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
With an astonishing defensive display, the Kasatha blocks all the attacks!

The white one, steps away out of the flanking, and splits its attacks between Hyrsek.
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 291d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 301d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Fort DC 19: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Fort DC 19: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Who starts to look not that cool under the constant spraying.

And Yambul.
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 191d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Flechette spray: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 181d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Bite: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 151d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Who deftly dodges the worst of the attacks.

Neh-Thalggu: 176 damage
White: 59 damage, badly wounded
Green: 37 damage, considerably wounded
Blue: 37 damage, considerably wounded
Chaance: 1 damage
Rhoreen: 37 damage, flying 10', mage armor 22 h, heroism 205 min, overland flight 11 h, filter mask, -2 Con drain, -1 Int drain
Rūha: 15 damage, mage armor 22 h, heroism 205 min, barkskin 205 min
Yambul: 16 damage, heroism 205 min, barkskin 205 min
Hyrsek: 44 damage, 3 Wis drain, 5 Con drain, 1 Int drain
Zzvkgrogk: 2 Int damage
Round 3: Larger alien, Hyrsek, Rūha, Rhoreen (x2), Zzvkgrogk, Yambul, Chaance, Smaller aliens

Round 2+3

She targets white (again) with her icy stare, bolstered by the mercurial magicks of her skymetal rod. Then she targets green before moving out of the room.

white: 3d8 ⇒ (4, 1, 6) = 11 cold damage, DC 22 Fort for half.  If the target fails, it is paralyzed & unconscious while the ice lasts. (20 hp) If the target is broken free, it is staggered for 1d4 rounds.

green: 3d8 ⇒ (2, 3, 6) = 11 cold damage, DC 22 Fort for half.  If the target fails, it is paralyzed & unconscious while the ice lasts. (20 hp) If the target is broken free, it is staggered for 1d4 rounds.

Ruha steps in to help flank with Yambul and finish white off, while directing a pair of quick jabs at green, assuming Rhor hasn't caught it in an ice cube. If it looks like both of Rhor's care bear stare victims are already accounted for, she instead focuses her jabs upon blue. Either way she halts her advice, confident that the group can clean up a few alien spiders without any more coaching.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32 Damage (B, cold iron, silver, lawful): 1d10 ⇒ 5
Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 14 - 5 = 10 Damage (B, cold iron, silver, lawful): 1d10 ⇒ 5

Round 3

Chaance steps into the sphincter-way, and tries to mow down the remaining aberrations, mainly Green and Blue, but only what survives the cold.

Einior...: 1d20 + 18 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 18 + 4 - 3 = 35 for 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 + 6 = 22 piercing, magical damage, including Favored Enemy

Einior...: 1d20 + 13 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 4 - 3 = 17 for 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 + 6 = 18 piercing, magical damage, including Favored Enemy

Einior...: 1d20 + 8 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 4 - 3 = 22 for 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 + 6 = 15 piercing, magical damage, including Favored Enemy

Zzvkgrogk steps up and takes aim at cyan.

rtchrtchrtchrtchrtchrtch!
Laser+: 1d20 + 18 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 18 - 2 - 2 = 18 Touch, -DeadlyAim, Semiauto
for Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Deadly Aim

Laser+: 1d20 + 18 - 2 - 2d6d6 - 1d6d1d6 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 18 - 2 - (1, 2, 6, 1, 2, 1, 5) - (4) + 7 = 16 Deadly Aim

Laser++: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 13 - 2 - 2 = 28 Touch, -DeadlyAim, -Cover, -Range, Semiauto
for Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Zzvkgrogk Special, Deadly Aim

Yambul studies green or blue - whomever is still up. He moves into position and swings! I’m pretty sure white is down by my init.

Chainsaw: 1d20 + 18 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 18 + 5 = 26 (hero, studied)
damage S: 3d6 + 19 + 3 ⇒ (3, 5, 1) + 19 + 3 = 31 (studied)

Fort DC 22: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 vs Green (Ice Tomb can only be targeted 1 per day!)
Rhoreen manages to entomb in ice one of the urgathokras!

Rūha, her arms raised, sends a punch towards the Ugothokra, it breaks its jaw while giving Yambul a flank.

Chaance looses three arrows at the blue alien. Two of the projectiles strike true and splash blood around.

Zzvkgrogk, squeezes the trigger of his firearm, the shots taking out the blue one, then harming the white one.

Finally, Yambul, cuts through the last alien, leaving the room in sudden peace.

Combat is over!

White: 108 damage, very dead
Green: 48 damage, considerably wounded, entombed
Blue: 87 damage, unconscious
Chaance: 1 damage
Rhoreen: 37 damage, flying 10', mage armor 22 h, heroism 205 min, overland flight 11 h, filter mask, -2 Con drain, -1 Int drain
Rūha: 15 damage, mage armor 22 h, heroism 205 min, barkskin 205 min
Yambul: 16 damage, heroism 205 min, barkskin 205 min
Hyrsek: 44 damage, 3 Wis drain, 5 Con drain, 1 Int drain
Zzvkgrogk: 2 Int damage

As the Ugothokra collapses in a final, guttural shriek, Hyrsek flicks the blood from his rapier with a practiced flourish. His chest heaves as he catches his breath, but a smirk spreads across his face "That was a good dance, wasn't it?" he says, sheathing his blade "But I prefer my partners a bit more graceful"

"Your spirit is undiminished, Hyrsek. Admirable." Chaance approaches the structures in the room, studying the 'cradle'. She tucks Einior away for a moment, preferring to unsheathe Xillmacil, the adamantine blade, instead.

Moving to one of the many cylinders, she takes a decent swing, attempting to break it.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

”You don’t look so good there Hyrsek. You need some healing.” Yambul suggests when the fighting is over.

He will also partake a bit, just in case.
CLW x2: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) + 3 = 11

Refreshed from his minor injury, he joins Chaance in the destruction. However, he just carves into things (min damage 22) rather than going the breakage route.

"Yambul," Zzvkgrogk says quietly, so as not to disturb the sudden peace too much. "that one is not fully cooked." He points to the Greenish ice tomb.

He winces as Chaance and Yambul start in on their cylindars. Eew.... He backs out of the room a little so as not to muss his fur with... whatever that is in there...

Rhoreen floats closer, brushing away the ick that is covering her.

”That was disgusting,” she says, hoping she doesn’t get feverish. ”I feel a bit awful.”

8d8 + 8 ⇒ (7, 2, 1, 6, 3, 5, 1, 7) + 8 = 40 CLW

And then she casts Restoration upon herself to fix what ails her. And then she will move in to look around the room for things of interest with Detect Magic.

1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 18 + 2 = 35 Perception

”What’s going on in here?”

"I have sincerely felt better and won't mind some help" Hyrsek explains looking at his wounds.

Rhoreen drifts silently around the room but finds no magical auras besides your own.

Chaance and Yambul start hacking into the cylinders. With every strike, thick, viscous liquids spill from the cracks, releasing a foul stench into the air. The fluid looks ancient and unrefined, swirling with faint organic matter as it oozes out. Their destruction is swift, the fragile containers offering little resistance as the adamantine weapons make quick work of them.

As the last of the seven tanks shatters, the chamber feels oddly still. The fluids pool around the your feet, but the expected catastrophe or reaction never comes. The destruction of these vats seems to hold no immediate consequence besides the jellyfish in the walls becoming particularly active.

Chaance: 1 damage
Rhoreen: flying 10', mage armor 22 h, heroism 205 min, overland flight 11 h, filter mask, -2 Con drain, -1 Int drain
Rūha: 15 damage, mage armor 22 h, heroism 205 min, barkskin 205 min
Yambul: 5 damage, heroism 205 min, barkskin 205 min
Hyrsek: 44 damage, 3 Wis drain, 5 Con drain, 1 Int drain
Zzvkgrogk: 2 Int damage

"Great teamwork Zzvkith and Hyrsek!" Zzvkgrogk says, definitively deciding for sure that the bounty hunter is a non-gang-joining independent type.

Zzvkgrogk decides that the place must be plumbed and waits for the muck to drain before venturing out to help Hyrsek. If it stubbornly refuses to do so, he hops onto broken bits of cylinders to avoid as much of the disgusting alien amniotic chemical brew as possible.

Disgusting. What is it? He tries not to look at it and fails due to his curiosity.
CraftAlchemy: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (16) + 25 = 41

CLW: 7d8 + 7 ⇒ (8, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6) + 7 = 45 "Here you go, unfortunately the rest of your maladies will have to wait tomorrow. Once again, I find myself ill-prepared."

When everyone is healed and done and Rhoreen has finished her room scrape Zzvkgrogk suggests, "Shall we continue on east?"

"Yambul," Zzvkgrogk says quietly, so as not to disturb the sudden peace too much. "that one is not fully cooked." He points to the Greenish ice tomb.

Yambul walks over to green once they’re done and carves it up before the ice melts and it escapes.

Covered in gore, as usual, he tries to glop off the worst of it as he slushes across the room.

”I really thought there’d be more of a… well something, at the end of that.” He grins.

When everyone is ready, he heads over to the east door and prepares to leap through when the way is opened.

Ruha accepts a bit of healing herself.

CLW Wand x3: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 5) + 3 = 15

The organic matter spilling from the tanks briefly sends her back to the rotting hulk, but she steels herself against it and just says "Yes, let's get a move on. No reason to expect any fireworks here." She heads eastward to stand with Yambul and pepper-fy the door-pucker.

Chaance watches as Zzvkgrogk heals Hyrsek, and she almost says something to the ysoki. What about traveling with the tiefling makes me uncomfortable enough to want him cowed? Weakened by the fight, dependent on us to see his way through? Why has he failed to earn my trust even now?

She does not object to healing their traveling companion, moving across the room to set herself in position to watch both west and east.

"This whole place must know what we're accomplishing. Maukui could only promise cloaking in his personal space. We should be ready for whatever backlash this Hive builds for us."

Hyrsek looks a bit surprised as Zzvkgrogk's healing washes over him, the warm sensation mending his wounds. He nods in gratitude, a rare flicker of appreciation in his eyes "Th-thanks. Didn't expect that" he mutters, almost to himself.

Yambul, without hesitation, slices through the ice-tombed alien, quickly dispatching it before it has a chance to break free. The remains fall in a messy heap.

The group then presses on, moving toward the west door, that reveals a vast chamber when the pepper is applied.

M9. Grand Lab
This chamber appears to be a bizarre operating theater, with three surgical tables made of fleshy orange material in three of the five octagonal wings of the room. The other two wings each contain a large vat of pulsating pink flesh-like material, striated with coils of fat and throbbing veins. All five objects are connected by a thick, pulsing artery that snakes across the floor, branching apart to link them all.

The air here is heavy with a metallic tang, and the rhythmic pulse of the grotesque environment fills the room. It gives the impression that the room itself is alive.

Before the group can react, you hear the faint sound of clapping from the far side of the room. A slender, feminine figure emerges from the shadows. Her pale skin shimmers with an unnatural gleam, and her black, twisted chains seem to writhe around her like serpents. Her eyes are glistened with cold amusement, taking in the sight of the intruders. Two elves are placed just before this figure.

"Welcome" her voice drips with sinister delight "What brings you to my laboratory? Curious about my work, perhaps? Or..." her lips curled into a grin, "...are you here to submit yourselves to my techniques? I promise, you've never experienced anything quite like it"

”Uh, what?” Zzvkgrogk looks from new comers, then to the operating theater, then back to the new comers. No thanks, I think I’ll pass. ”Just curious. I mean – how is it they even let you in there?” he asks pointing to the surgeon’s room, perplexed. ”By the looks of you, you’d only tear it up – and not in a good way. Did you do that to yourself? Pretty impressive.”

”It would seem our mutual hosts are terrible at introductions. Who might you be, and in what capacity are you here? Have any of you seen Therace, for that matter?”

"Yeah... we'll go with curious about your work. And Therace. And what's wrong with them?" he points to the elves, acting very non-elven.

Restoration to fix the con drain, above. Also, wow, that's a really good linked picture.

Rhoreen moves up to examine the room and its occupants.

1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 21 + 2 = 38 Know (Planes) - DRs? Special attacks?

"Ooof that chain lady isn't what I thought I'd see here, but it makes sense. Yambul, get your chainsaw ready. I hope it can cut chain. Pure chain."

Hey, I recognize that elf art! Jaethal's perfect for "unfeeling elf".

"Grotesque. I'm quite certain I never want to experience anything like it." Rūha grimaces, waiting for an answer for Zzvk's pertinent questions. "And would you like to introduce us to the two elves as well?"

Sense Motive DC 16: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (17) + 24 = 41
Paajgat watches the group with a sly, amused smile. Her cold eyes sparkle with sadistic delight, and she begins to slowly change her stare from one to another, her black chains gently slithering over her body as if they have a life of their own "You say the alien brought you here" Paajgat's voice drips with feigned curiosity. She pauses, tilting her head ever so slightly, before her grin widens "But I can see the truth of it in your eyes. You aren't here because of that poor creature. No, you came seeking something... deeper. Perhaps something... new?"

Paajgat continues, her voice soft but full of sinister promise "Why not stop pretending and join me in my art? I assure you, I can show you pain and pleasure in ways you've never imagined. The tables are quite... accommodating. And my techniques..." she caresses one of the fleshy tables, a faint pulse visible beneath the surface, "Well, they are unmatched. Come now, one of you surely has the curiosity, the hunger, to experience something beyond the ordinary"

She looks directly at Rhoreen, staring through her eyes into her soul, the kyton's smile growing wider "Or perhaps you'd like to volunteer? You seem skilled... perceptive. Think of what you might learn from me. It would be fun"

The last word hangs in the air, dripping with malice.

"Or perhaps you'd like to volunteer? You seem skilled... perceptive. Think of what you might learn from me. It would be fun"

Rhoreen fails to stifle a laugh.

"Oh lol, no. You'll have to try with one of the dumb ones, I'm the smart one here and there is no way that I'm doing that. We're not all idiots, you know?"

Rhoreen waits for Yambul to catch up and then casts Haste, presuming that s&#@ is about to get f%%!ed.

Haste 1/11: You realize that you might be the unknowing recipient of some unkind thoughts from someone very much like Rhoreen if you don’t get your ass in gear and kill the people who are annoying Rhor. You get +1 to your attacks, a bit more speed, and an extra angry attack if you do such things. You know the deal: don’t disappoint Rhor.