[AP] Iron Gods by GM Rutseg

Game Master Balacertar

Rhoreen's luck: 1d20 ⇒ 121d20 ⇒ 6
Khalia Will Save v DC 19: 12 + 11 + 4 = 27
Will Save v DC 19: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 4 = 35
Will Save v DC 19: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 4 = 16
Khalia's attacks are weaker due to the curse, but the silver is crucial for her to harm the daemons, as most of her arrows stick.

Yambul evades the flies as good as he can, reaching the daemon in front to cut with the chainsaw! The weapon is not fully effective but still badly harms the daemon.

Zzvkgrogk shots all past Rhoreen, his special is harmful, but the natural resistance to fire of the daemons protects from most of the rest of the damage.

Fort DC 25: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Rūha's ki pushes through the daemon's natural resistance, but the creature endures the strike and keeps moving.

Rhoreen does something heroic!

The green leukodaemon exhales its breath of flies, taking Rhoreen, Zzvkgrogk and Khalia all in!
Slashing damage (Ref DC 21 for half): 8d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 6, 2, 1, 5, 2, 2) = 26
Taking damage also makes you sickened 1 min. Finishing your turn on the cloud will inflict extra damage

The other three, step away from Rūha and Yambul, hovering with ease 5' over the ground and attacking them with their bows.
composite longbow+PB vs Yambul: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 20 + 1 = 272d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5) + 10 + 1 = 20
composite longbow+PB vs Yambul: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 1 = 192d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 10 + 1 = 16

composite longbow+PB vs Yambul: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 20 + 1 = 332d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 10 + 1 = 17
composite longbow+PB vs Yambul: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 1 = 192d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 10 + 1 = 18

composite longbow+PB vs Rūha: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 20 + 1 = 292d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 10 + 1 = 16
composite longbow+PB vs Rūha: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 1 = 302d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 10 + 1 = 14
Rūha has 2 AoOs

Two of the arrows pick on Yambul, who starts to look pretty badly wounded.

Blue: 35 damage, slightly wounded
Green: 104 damage, badly wounded
Party buffs: advise (+3), life bubble 4 h
Khalia: longstrider 12 h, debilitating portent r12
Yambul: 115 damage, heroism 4 h
Rhoreen: mage armor 24 h, see invisibility 4 h, flight 12 h, heroism 4 h, filter mask
Rūha: 20 damage, mage armor 24 h, heroism 4 h, barkskin 2 h
Round 3: Yambul, Rūha, Rhoreen (x2) Round 3: Khalia, Zzvkgrogk, Seers, Daemons

Yeah, I was below half before I made my first swing. These guys are the nastiest we’ve fought so far, next to dad. :)

Fort: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 - 2 = 14 (heroism, aura) vs DC 19 or contagion - FAIL
Fort: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 13 - 2 = 17 (heroism, aura) vs DC 19 or contagion - FAIL

Yambul knows, as with most things, it’s him or them. As I imagine I can’t 5’ step through a column, he 5’ steps north, studies black, but presses his attacks on Blue. It may be his last round in the fight, so he tries to make it count!

Chainsaw: 1d20 + 19 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 8 - 2 = 26 (hero, studied, advice, sickened)
damage S: 3d6 + 22 + 6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) + 22 + 6 = 39 (studied, advice)

Chainsaw: 1d20 + 10 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 8 - 2 = 24 (hero, studied, advice, sickened)
damage S: 3d6 + 22 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5) + 22 + 6 = 42 (studied, advice)

Chainsaw: 1d20 + 5 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 8 - 2 = 22 (hero, studied, advice, sickened)
damage S: 3d6 + 22 + 6 ⇒ (6, 6, 3) + 22 + 6 = 43 (studied, advice)

Thanks dicebot. When I really needed a good round...

I think you might mean Khalia (she is the one cursed)

Yes, thank you. My brain is brain sometimes. I'm not sure Rhoreen should be hit by the slashing breath, as if she had had her turn she would have moved away...and incurred a AoO instead of both.

If applicable: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16 Reflex If breath or AoO attack: (-14 temp hp, X damage)

Rhoreen roils from the slashing attack(s).

Round 2
Rhoreen moves away from the extraplanar foe, taking a slash (probably).  She tries to freeze it in ice after she moves away.

3d8 ⇒ (3, 5, 6) = 14 cold damage, DC 24 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 3
Rhoreen casts some of her limited healing magics at Ruha, Yamking, herself:
1d8 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 healing

Thank you, kind GM for rolling those Forts :)

Round 4

Reflex Save v DC 21: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27 Evasion

Khalia recognizes rapidly that this leukodaemon is no different from the others spewing forth flies, so she bounds back to avoid the spray. Disappointed that the seer's portent still afflicts her, she still engages the thing she can outline through the gnat cloud. 14

The skymetal boon surges through her forearms, as she really, really wants her first two arrows to hit the creature.

Einior...: 1d20 + 20 + 1 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 20 + 1 + 3 - 4 = 22 for
1d8 + 4 + 1 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 3 + 8 = 17 piercing, magical damage including Silver and Roo
1d8 + 4 + 1 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 3 + 8 = 20 piercing, magical damage including Silver and Roo Manyshot
Skymetal reroll: 1d20 + 20 + 1 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 1 + 3 - 4 = 39
Will Save v DC 19: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 4 = 32 Mind-Affecting

Einior...: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 1 + 3 - 4 = 17 for
1d8 + 4 + 1 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 + 3 + 8 = 21 piercing, magical damage including Silver and Roo
Will Save v DC 19: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 4 = 18 Mind-Affecting

Einior...: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 + 3 - 4 = 22 for
1d8 + 4 + 1 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 3 + 8 = 24 piercing, magical damage including Silver and Roo
Will Save v DC 19: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 4 = 32 Mind-Affecting

10

Although Yambul's looking a little better thanks to Rhor's efforts, be still seems poised to take the brunt of the attacks in a moment. Ruha jabs at the attacking demon bold enough to fire within her reach.

She'll stunning fist on the AoO as well, just in case it can retroactively help to mitigate some damage or enable one of Yambul's attacks. Dc25 Fort or Stunned 1rd

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 16 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 5 - 2 = 22 Damage (B, cold iron, silver, lawful): 2d6 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 - 2 = 5
---
Maintaining her Advice, she also adds quick warnings to help Yambul dodge the counterattack (spending 1ki to give Yambul +4 dodge to AC for 1 round). Then she follows with a pair of jabs, the first again intended to disable blue. (Stunning fist on first attack).

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 16 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 16 + 5 - 2 = 31 Damage (B, cold iron, silver, lawful): 2d6 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 3 - 2 = 5
Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 16 + 5 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 16 + 5 - 2 - 5 = 26 Damage (B, cold iron, silver, lawful): 2d6 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 - 2 = 5

Disease 1: 1d9 ⇒ 9
Disease 2: 1d9 ⇒ 2
Con damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Cha damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Con damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Yambul instantly starts to feel pretty bad by all the diseases gifted by the arrows.

The Kellid connects with his chainsaw helped by Rūha who fails on her opportunity but then strikes both times. The combined force sends the first daemon to trash!

bite: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 281d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Fort DC 24: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Rhoreen is bitten as she moves away, but helps her in fact avoid the flies breath. The daemon resists her magical attack though. A healing burst then takes the frontliners and herself!

Khalia only manages for her first arrows to connect, thanks to Rhoreen's hexing luck, and despite the beast natural resistance, it is just enough to send the menace dead to the ground!

Zzvkgrogk does something heroic!

The two remaining daemons shot their bows at Rūha and Yambul.
composite longbow+PB vs Rūha: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 20 + 1 = 272d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 10 + 1 = 18
composite longbow+PB vs Rūha: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 1 = 322d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 10 + 1 = 17

composite longbow+PB vs Yambul: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 20 + 1 = 322d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 10 + 1 = 19
composite longbow+PB vs Yambul: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 1 = 212d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (6, 3) + 10 + 1 = 20
Only one manages to put another arrow on Yambul. He does survive thanks to the healing provided by Rhoreen.
Fort DC 19 for another contagion

Blue: 126 damage, unconscious, dying
Green: 131 damage, dead
Party buffs: advise (+3), life bubble 4 h
Khalia: longstrider 12 h, debilitating portent r12
Yambul: 114 damage, heroism 4 h, bubonick plague, slimy doom, 3 Con damage, 2 Cha damage
Rhoreen: mage armor 24 h, see invisibility 4 h, flight 12 h, heroism 4 h, filter mask
Rūha: mage armor 24 h, heroism 4 h, barkskin 2 h
Round 4: Yambul, Rūha, Rhoreen Round 5: Khalia, Zzvkgrogk (x2), Seers, Daemons

RefDC21: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 2 = 33 Hero

Zzvkgrogk sputters out of the cloud and shoots into the cloud nearest Yambul, Rūha and now Rhoreen with an exploding bullet in the hopes of dispersing it.

rtchrtchrtchrtchrtchrtch!
Laser++: 1d20 + 19 + 3 + 2 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 3 + 2 - 4 - 2 = 23 Touch, Rūha, Hero, -Cover, -Sick
for Damage: 1d6 + 6d6 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (4) + (6, 6, 3, 2, 2, 1) + 6 + 2 + 3 - 2 = 33 Zzvkgrogk Special, Exploding Bullet Deadly Aim, Rūha, -Sick

If it works, he the shoots the other with the same intent, otherwise he goes for a daemon.

rtchrtchrtchrtchrtchrtch!
Laser++: 1d20 + 19 + 3 + 2 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 19 + 3 + 2 - 4 - 2 = 25 Touch, Rūha, Hero, -Cover, -Sick
for Damage: 1d6 + 6d6 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + (4, 3, 2, 1, 4, 5) + 6 + 2 + 3 - 2 = 31 Zzvkgrogk Special, Exploding Bullet Deadly Aim, Rūha, -Sick

Round 4
Rhoreen tries to freeze red out.

3d8 ⇒ (8, 2, 2) = 12 cold damage, DC 24 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.

Zzvkgrogk shots disperse indeed the clouds of flies!

While the red leukodaemon does indeed fall encased in freezing cold!
Fort DC 24: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Since she has to move anyway, Yambul hesitates in case Rüha moves into flank with black.

Delay until just after Rüha.

Round 5

Khalia marks the hall for silver arrow retrieval, once the last leukodaemon is slain. She moves forward only a little, then lets a penultimate volley of arrows fly in hopes of injuring it just enough that the others can destroy it outright. 10

Einior...: 1d20 + 20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 3 - 4 = 22 for
1d8 + 4 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 + 8 = 17 piercing, magical damage, including Silver and Roo
1d8 + 4 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 3 + 8 = 19 piercing, magical damage, including Silver and Roo Manyshot
Will Save v DC 19: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 4 = 35

Einior...: 1d20 + 15 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 3 - 4 = 21 for
1d8 + 4 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 3 + 8 = 23 piercing, magical damage, including Silver and Roo
Will Save v DC 19: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 4 = 30

Einior...: 1d20 + 10 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 3 - 4 = 24 for
1d8 + 4 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 3 + 8 = 21 piercing, magical damage, including Silver and Roo
Will Save v DC 19: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 4 = 29

6

Ruha maintains her advice and tries to tumble around to the other side of black to distract it from Yambul "Keep it up. We almost have them" She maintains her advice. Once on the other side she follows with a jab to the back of the knee.

Acrobatics to tumble: 1d20 + 28 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 28 - 2 = 35
Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 18 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 18 + 3 - 2 = 20 Damage (B, cold iron, silver, lawful): 2d6 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 3 - 2 = 8

All you Yambul

Fort: 1d20 + 13 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 13 - 5 = 11 (heroism, aura, sickened, con dam) vs DC 19 or contagion

Assuming the disease doesn't do more con damage...

Yambul coughs up a lung as the diseases immediately take hold. Indeed, the only think keeping his weak-knees functioning at all is the healing he just received. He does not hesitate however, he 5’ steps and digs in on black, already studied.

Chainsaw: 1d20 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 6 = 37 (hero, studied, advice, sickened) (+2 if flanked)
damage S: 3d6 + 22 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5, 1) + 22 + 4 = 38 (studied, advice, sickened) Sneak Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 5, 5) = 18

Chainsaw: 1d20 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 6 = 20 (hero, studied, advice, sickened) (+2 if flanked)
damage S: 3d6 + 22 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 22 + 4 = 34 (studied, advice, sickened) Sneak Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5, 2) = 11

Chainsaw: 1d20 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 6 = 28 (hero, studied, advice, sickened) (+2 if flanked)
damage S: 3d6 + 22 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 5) + 22 + 4 = 38 (studied, advice, sickened) Sneak Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 5) = 16
critthreat Chainsaw: 1d20 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 6 = 17 (hero, studied, advice, sickened) (+2 if flanked)
damage S: 3d6 + 22 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6, 5) + 22 + 4 = 41 (studied, advice, sickened)

Khalia connects with a single arrow, but the silver lodges deep, unimpeded by the creature's skin.

Rūha loses balance as she tumbles through and fails short of reaching the daemon with her punch.

1d9 ⇒ 2
The arrow does not inject a new disease on Yambul but makes one already on him stronger.

He manages to remain on foot to cut hard with his chainsaw on vital points of the creature's anatomy.

The blows are devastating and the summoned daemon just disappears into nothingness!

Combat is over!

Black: 130 damage
Party buffs: advise (+3), life bubble 4 h
Khalia: longstrider 12 h, debilitating portent r12
Yambul: 114 damage, heroism 4 h, bubonic plague (+1 dose), slimy doom, 3 Con damage, 2 Cha damage
Rhoreen: mage armor 24 h, see invisibility 4 h, flight 12 h, heroism 4 h, filter mask
Rūha: mage armor 24 h, heroism 4 h, barkskin 2 h

The seers owned a few goodies.

The doors to the north are forged from pure adamantine and look the most sturdy ones you have seen in the whole palace, including the entrance ones. They have two masterfully crafted locks instead of a single one!

To the east a passage opens into a massive cavern.

Yambul grins as the last demon vaporizes back from whence it came - though the battle took its toll on him. ”Damn diseases.”

He takes out and drinks a vial of Lesser Restoration for his con damage.
Restore Con: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Satisfied, for now, he’ll line up for wand taps while the others look for understanding.
CLW Wand: 21d8 + 21 ⇒ (3, 8, 5, 6, 4, 8, 2, 5, 3, 2, 2, 1, 7, 2, 3, 4, 2, 8, 8, 1, 3) + 21 = 108

Oh, and he’ll swap out the battery in his chainsaw with a fresh one.

Khalia spends her time recovering the silver arrows which may not have broken against walls over the shoulders of the leukodaemons.

Break Chaance, High Good: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Break Chaance, High Good: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Break Chaance, High Good: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Break Chaance, High Good: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Break Chaance, High Good: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Break Chaance, High Good: 1d2 ⇒ 2

She manages to claw back three of six fired silver arrows. 9

The android considers a couple of the magical items newly harvested from the seers. "If an amulet or ring is available, I won't object to wearing it for the protections..."

Knowledge(Religion) v DC 15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Knowledge(Engineering) v DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

She takes an obvious interest in the construction and obstruction of the adamantine doors, wondering how many arrows could be constructed from its material. She then looks to Zzvkgrogk, still wondering. "Those locks, do you think they're manageable?"

”Damn diseases.”

Rhoreen scoffs. "You better get used to it. I'm not sure all your new royal concubines won't be similarly affected," she notes of his new majesty. "Might be good practice to have a few treatments on hand when you are in charge."

Sadly, Rhoreen does not have any cures for what ails Yambul, but is pleased with the haul of magics. She replaces her cloak with a more powerful +3 version. And, if no one minds, she will take a ring of force shield as well.

1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 19 + 2 = 40 Know (Rel)
1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 23 + 2 = 33 Know (Eng)

"Those are nice locks, and with Zyphus guarding the area, those might be the palace vaults. Might be fun to see what might aid us in the fights ahead."

She waits to see if Zzvkgrogk thinks they can open the vault, or if she needs to go in and see if they can be opened from the inside easily enough.

Zzvkgrogk takes one of the Scrolls of Cure Critical Wounds and bags it. "I can transcribe that into a formula and give it back when I'm done."

KnowEng: 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 2 + 2 = 43

Zzvkgrogk's eyes open wide when he looks upon the vault doors. "So, uh --"

"Those locks, do you think they're manageable?"

Zzvkgrogk looks...

"Those are nice locks, and with Zyphus guarding the area, those might be the palace vaults."

Zzvkgrogk sighs.

"Hey, Yamkabul. These are likely the palace vaults -- The King's money and your inheritance! Do you mind if we all look around and maybe... borrow some stuff?"

If so, he quaffs a potion and attempts to undo the locks.
DisableDevLock1: 1d20 + 23 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 23 + 5 + 2 = 32 True Skill, Hero
DisableDevLock2: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 23 + 2 = 32 Hero

Zzvkgrogk takes one of the Scrolls of Cure Critical Wounds and bags it. "I can transcribe that into a formula and give it back when I'm done."

"Great! Can anyone actually read 'em?" He hands one to Zzvkgrogk on loan.

Rhoreen scoffs. "You better get used to it. I'm not sure all your new royal concubines won't be similarly affected," she notes of his new majesty. "Might be good practice to have a few treatments on hand when you are in charge."

"Ha! You won't find me in a hot tub with a bunch of scantily clad women!" Yambul laughs at the very thought.

"Those are nice locks, and with Zyphus guarding the area, those might be the palace vaults. Might be fun to see what might aid us in the fights ahead."

"Hey, Yamkabul. These are likely the palace vaults -- The King's money and your inheritance! Do you mind if we all look around and maybe... borrow some stuff?"

”Borrow huh? Well, if it is mine, we’re not stealing, and if it’s dad’s, I think he’d be fine with a loaner or two. But let’s lock up when we’re done, and just take what we need.” …though he’s not sure what that even means. He needs so much! Especially armor.

Grinning though, he watches Zzvkgrogk work on the locks - from a safe distance.

Khalia watches Zzvkgrogk for any signs of trap detection. When it appears that it is safe enough to at least attempt safecracking the locks, the android takes measure of one of the locks, and places a hand against the adamantine. Her body illuminates entirely, then distills the light energy into the hand touching the dense metal, where curious nanites seek to understand, and afford her more skill than she usually has with such things.
Nanite Surge- +15 to the check

Disable Device: 1d20 + 22 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 22 + 15 = 51

Should she succeed, she moves to help the ysoki with the second lock. Auto Aid Another +2

Ruha examines the surroundings for any traps herself.

Perception: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 22 + 2 = 33 +10 if visual

"It seems strange to me that the Black Seers chose this place to stand and fight, right in front of the Vault. I wonder why." Examining the doors she adds "If I were a Sovereign of some kind, I would probably place an alarm or other protection on my vault. Just in case someone comes by with a way to break in. Yambul might be able to take first and answer questions later, but it could be the protections inside won't recognize him. Perhaps we should at least check with Kul Inkit first?"

No worries if you want to take the risk, but I assume since we just now parted with Kul Inkit we can jog back up the stairs and ask if there's anything to be aware of in the vault before Yambul goes borrowing stuff.

"If I were a Sovereign of some kind, I would probably place an alarm or other protection on my vault. Just in case someone comes by with a way to break in. Yambul might be able to take first and answer questions later, but it could be the protections inside won't recognize him. Perhaps we should at least check with Kul Inkit first?"

"You mean the old man I just beat up?" Yambul chuckles, "Let's see what we can discover on our own. If it looks too tough or too trapped or something, then sure, we can bother the old man."

"It is odd they fought here, but maybe they were protecting what's through the other passage?" He shrugs, unsure - but keen to find out.

"It seems strange to me that the Black Seers chose this place to stand and fight, right in front of the Vault. I wonder why. If I were a Sovereign of some kind, I would probably place an alarm or other protection on my vault. Just in case someone comes by with a way to break in. Perhaps we should at least check with Kul Inkit first?"

Rhoreen listens to the wise Ruha and nods thoughtfully. She doesn't necessarily agree, but does admire the thinking.

"Seems natural to me that they would have guards at the vault, and guards at this entrance, but maybe we'll see what's what as we move along."

Zzvkgrogk focuses on the sound of the nantites doing their aid. ”aah… thanks Khalia”
There it is!

”Ha! You won't find me in a hot tub with a bunch of scantily clad women!"

...?

”You mean the old man I just beat up?"

No wonder I’m so unfocused.

”They were in league with the League. It’s likely this vault has already been plundered. Now shhh! I think we almost have it…”

He refocuses.

The door resists your initial efforts, but when Khalia puts her hands in and the nanites start to surge, the door almost magically concedes letting you in with a hard metallic noise.

The walls of this huge vault are plated with black metal that shimmers with green energy. The chamber seems to be built as a treasure vault, but the vault seems woefully understocked, with far more empty shelves than full ones. What treasures remain, though, seem exotic and unusual.

The treasure that remains consists of 28,000 gp worth of gems, coins,
baubles and trinkets scattered among the alcoves, a suit of +2 moderate fortification hide armor, a frost brand, a +2 seeking composite longbow (+5 Str), an ebony wand case worth 250 gp that contains three magic arrows (a dragon-slaying arrow, a magical beast slaying arrow, and an undead-slaying arrow), a rod of lordly might, a rod of wonder, a timeworn HEV suit with 20 charges, a jetpack, a trauma pack plus, a timeworn EMP cannon with 42 charges, and a glove of storing that contains an entropy facet.

Rhoreen casts Detect Magic as the doors are opened, taking a few moments to identify the auras, then magics that are inside. She downcasts with an audible sigh as there is nothing of interest to her, the most important person in the world.

”Well, there are some neat gizmos and doodads, but nothing that suggests your kingdom is anything more than mostly magical impoverished, Yam-king,” Rhoreen says, pointing out the things of interest and the magics. ”You’d think you’d have a bigger bit of something here…but no, just some nice museum pieces.”

Taking nothing for herself, she’s ready to move on after others have taken what they wish.

"I wonder... did the guards already take their pick of the vault's treasures? Or did this place become diminished over time as the League diminished the Black Sovereign's influence." Ruha looks over the treasures, stopping upon reaching the entropy facet when it pops out of the glove "Another one. Let's keep a hold of this." She tucks it away.

Shame how weak the EMP cannon is. Those DCs and damage rolls just aren't keeping up with high level play.

Woof, that's a lot of loot.

"I dunno. Feels like we shouldn't leave it - the League might come through and take what's left now that they're on the run. Let's take it all, but we'll see what actually belongs to dad and what was League." He's not sure how to broach that question of course, but he's sure the smart folk can figure something out.

He loads up the party's portable devices and is ready to head out into the larger chamber.

Rüha, did you want the glove of storing?

Zzvkgrogk III puzzles over the treasure. Why the one cannon? Just one? Maybe you could do some REAL damage with a baker’s dozen or so, but one?! And what about all that stuff over there?

”Can anyone use this enormous brand? It might be the most useful thing to us out of all of this – “, he gestures at the contents of the vault. ”This is a really expensive and somewhat eclectic treasure collection, and we might just know a buyer!”

He thinks briefly.

”Khalia, can your Nanite friends reprogram the vault lock such that we are the only ones who can open it? Maybe we should leave most of this right here if we can protect it, and come back for it later.”

I could use the glove, but with four arms already its probably not all that critical for me.

"If all goes well for us today, there won't be much League action around the palace for a while. But point taken." Ruha feels a little like this treasure isn't the group's for the taking, but she defers to the others. "We still have a ghost to deal with in any case."

Rhoreen cannot use any of the magics, and is ready to move on, worried that an silent alarm or the like might have been tripped...but unlikely.

"Let's get moving."

Ruha looks out along the southern path from the larger room, scanning the opening and path beyond for any dangers - especially those of a traplike variety.

Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39

"Khalia, can your Nanite friends reprogram the vault lock such that we are the only ones who can open it? Maybe we should leave most of this right here if we can protect it, and come back for it later.”

"That is an interesting suggestion. They've just spent their entire energy to facilitate the unlocking, perhaps they'll be up for the challenge once they've recharged. For now, though, no." Khalia takes the specialized arrows, understanding their value. She also takes the wondrous rod, curious about its chaos. One of her magical quivers welcomes it into its fold.

Yambul will take the glove of storing for now - so he can hide his chainsaw around town for the time being. He doesn't put it in there now but he's comforted that he can.

"I don't think we can carry all this, especially some of that larger tech. We really need to buy a bag of holding..."

He waits to see if Khalia or Zzvkgrogk can change the locks around to make it harder for the League to get back in before joining the others in the larger chamber. GM Rutseg - can we secure the remaining loot?

"For now, though, no."

"Ah oh, well them, let's just quickly lockup and go! They'll have to go through us if they want to get in here! The Citadel should be safe enough from the other way."

He starts to head out after Rūha.

It is your decision on what you want to claim or not. If you want to claim and write down things you cannot carry right now, no worries, as I expect you can come back here at a later time behind the scenes.

As you leave the vault behind and step into the yawning dark, your lights stretch out into a space so vast it seems to swallow the sound of your footsteps.

C44. Bonehall
A stone walkway extends over an inverted ziggurat carved into the stone floor of this vast cavern. The walkway is supported by several stone pillars that elevate it twenty feet above the surrounding cave floor, while each tier of the ziggurat drops five feet to a depth of thirty-five feet in the center, where a ten foot diameter pit yawns. Swaths of strangely colored luminescent mold grow on stalactites hanging from the ceiling thirty feet above the cave floor, while scattered throughout are the rusted, jumbled fragments of partially deconstructed Numerian automatons of all shapes and sizes.

The flickering colors throw jagged shadows across the heaps scattered across the tiers like discarded toys of a long-dead god. And beneath it all carries a faint, steady whisper of cold air rising from the pit.

As Rūha names it, you all feel it.

A presence. Watching. Waiting.

Large cavern revealed on the map, please position your tokens. The central platform you are in is 35' above the cave floor.

Moved Rhoreen on the map, but she's usually in the back and wouldn't be going in first.

Rhoreen moves up to examine the zigguratted area.

1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 2 = 31 Perception

"This looks interesting."

”Wait!” Zzvkgrogk abruptly but quietly announces as he positions himself more or less centrally. ”Let’s all have a little pick me up.”

Zzvkgrogk III enjoys sharing an orange extract with everyone. As he administers it everyone partakes a shot of (refreshing?) carrot juice.

"Always drink your vegetables."

Everyone has darkvision for the next 2 hours. Possibly for more hours if any are declined.

”Oh, nice Zzvkgrogk! What is that, a hint of pepper?”

Yambul strides in onto the platform and wonders whether the ghost will reveal itself. He stays in front of the others and also looks around with his newfound darkvision.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11 (heroism)

Thanks to his new found vision, as Yambul steps settle on the stone walkway, he notes the stillness breaks.

A shudder runs through the debris below. A severed robot torso twitches. Then stray lenses and cracked visors swivel unnaturally. Something vast and anguished stirs in the hollow beneath the ziggurat.

A voice, layered, distant, and full of ancient rage echoes up the shaft "At last... new pretenders walk my hall"

Metal grinds. Rusted frames begin, one by one, to rise to their feet.

Seems you have awakened the ghost and she not greet you with kindness "You are not Kevoth-Khul, but you look like a Black Sovereign. Is this your tribute?"

She looks at the roaring chainsaw with rage.

1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 2 = 26 Know (History)
1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 19 + 2 = 27 Know (Religion)

Rhoreen will explain what she sees so that others may learn from her.

"Huh, I think that might be your great-great-great-great*...*-great grandmom, Amalokla, Yamking," she notes. "She's going to possess that robot and attack us, which might be better than her trying to dominate us."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42
KN Religion: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

With a refreshing carrot juice, Ruha looks up and around the cavern. She steps up to just a little behind Yambul. She whispers "I expect she rather dislikes technology and is eager to break anything we're bringing in. Your chainsaw is included in that. If you want to try calming her, you might do well to turn it off. Or offer her some other technology for her to destroy and keep her busy."

She nods as she observes some of the same that Rhor did. "If she wants to possess a robot, she's welcome to."

Thanks to Rhoreen and Rūha's swift warning you are not caught by surprise when ghost takes possession of the dismantled robot at her "feet" and it starts moving towards you.

The robot climbs the ziggurat, relented by the steep slope.

Party buffs: life bubble 4 h
Khalia: longstrider 12 h
Yambul: 6 damage, heroism 4 h, bubonic plague (+1 dose), slimy doom, 1 Con damage, 2 Cha damage
Rhoreen: mage armor 24 h, see invisibility 4 h, flight 12 h, heroism 4 h, filter mask
Rūha: mage armor 24 h, heroism 4 h, barkskin 2 h
Round 1: Robot, Zzvkgrogk, Rūha, Khalia, Yambul, Rhoreen

Laser pistol out, Zzvkgrogk III runs up to the doorway and spots the ghost.

Even if she IS related to Yambul...
”Hey! Are you the Wizard who thought he could fly, only to face-plant in the sand after jumping off a ziggurat?! ...Oh, well – it looks like you can fly now…” He shoots.

Laser++: 1d20 + 19 - 3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 19 - 3 + 3 + 2 = 37 Touch, -DeadlyAim, Hero, -Cover
for Damage: 1d6 + 6d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + (6, 6, 2, 6, 1, 6) + 6 + 2 = 37 Zzvkgrogk Special, Deadly Aim

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 2 = 30 (heroism) vs DC 25

"Ma'am, with all due respect for our ancestors, we're here to send you to the afterlife - so long denied you."
Yambul quaffs his shield vial - it’ll help against robots and ghosts.

”This chainsaw is to cut you in half.” He adds politely.

Then he swiftly studies the robot, and takes a 5’ step back so it has to move further to close.

Do I know about the ghost’s very high DR since Rhoreen made the roll? Or not yet?

And do we know if the DR would apply while its possessing a robot? Also, here's an engineering for the robot body:

KN Engineering: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 2 = 27

Expecting the robot will fall upon the party in moments, Ruha starts offering a stream of Advice (+3/+3) and Readies to leap over it to flank as soon as it approaches.

Readying move action.

Acrobatics to tumble: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (1) + 28 = 29 Or not.

Round 1

Khalia studies the ghost just long enough to understand that they are about to battle it, not arbitrate with the new ruler. Yambul's declaration is proof.

The android raises Einior, and begins to test the durability of the possessed robot. Somewhere in her neural network, Khalia superimposes the image of Maukui over the face of Amalokla.

Einior...: 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 20 + 2 + 3 - 4 + 4 = 42 for
1d8 + 4 + 2d6 + 3 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + (3, 5) + 3 + 8 + 4 = 31 magical piercing damage, including Roo, Favored Enemy, and Einior
1d8 + 4 + 2d6 + 3 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 + (5, 3) + 3 + 8 + 4 = 34 magical piercing damage, including Roo, Favored Enemy, and Einior Manyshot

Einior...: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 + 3 - 4 + 4 = 26 for
1d8 + 4 + 2d6 + 3 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (5, 5) + 3 + 8 + 4 = 35 magical piercing damage, including Roo, Favored Enemy, and Einior

Einior...: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 3 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 + 3 - 4 + 4 = 31 for
1d8 + 4 + 2d6 + 3 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (3, 6) + 3 + 8 + 4 = 31 magical piercing damage, including Roo, Favored Enemy, and Einior

Round 1

Rhoreen digs deep to find a fresh way to curse Yamking's Grandmam. She bends the energies of her skymetal rod to twist and tie the malign energies of the foe, reflecting back unto itself the ill-will that it offers.

DC 23 Will Save vs. taking 50% of melee damage back, rounded down. This damage bypasses any resistance, immunities, & DR the creature possesses.

"Let's see how you like having your cheek squeezed, sweetie."

Zzvkgrogk's shot finds the sovereign, the magical laser only taking half the vitality of the entity.

Yambul shields himself while he waits for Rhoreen to share her incommensurate knowledge about the creature's defenses.
I would assume she shares that info, but one never knows with Rhoo! :D

Rūha assesses the robot is very standard for what the group has been fighting so far, with construct immunities and good hardness (10).

Khalia starts to shoot arrows at the climbing robot, each arrow breaking through the hull until it is totally shattered and destroyed despite its natural hardness.

Will DC 23: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
Rhoreen tries to curse the ghost, but it seems so badly cursed already she refuses to get even more.

"Usurpers!" she shouts in rage as the possessed robot fells. She automatically possess another one, which starts moving and climbing up while she flies up the ziggurat to touch Yambul.
Inflict serious wounds (touch): 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (5) + 25 = 30
Negative energy damage (Will DC 20 for half): 3d8 + 15 ⇒ (8, 3, 2) + 15 = 28
Despite his agility and magical shield, the ghost touches the Kellid, opening vicious wounds on him.

The second robot does not reach further away from where the first one fell.

First sovereign: 18 damage
Robot: 91 damage, destroyed
Party buffs: life bubble 4 h, advice (+3)
Khalia: longstrider 12 h
Yambul: 6 damage, shield 11 min, heroism 4 h, bubonic plague (+1 dose), slimy doom, 1 Con damage, 2 Cha damage
Rhoreen: mage armor 24 h, see invisibility 4 h, flight 12 h, heroism 4 h, filter mask
Rūha: mage armor 24 h, heroism 4 h, barkskin 2 h
Round 2: Robot, Zzvkgrogk, Rūha, Khalia, Yambul, Rhoreen

With the ghost and her possessed robots moving and acting in tandem, Ruha realizes the group won't make easy progress without focusing fire on the one that's the real threat. "I'll hold off the robot." She calls out, before focusing on her connection to the distant future to call an echo of a coolant sprayer and send a volley of frost across both foes (1 ki for Dragon Breath to do a 30ft cone of cold. DC21 Reflex halves)

Dragon Breath (C): 12d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 1, 1, 4, 5, 6, 3, 2, 3, 4) = 42

She maintains her advice and steps in toward the robot.