[AP] Iron Gods by GM Rutseg

Game Master Balacertar

Ruha peeks out the window, if the room has one. Based on the orientation of the Palace, she wonders if the Technic League compound has a direct view of this room "Quick work. I don't like that bomb he's wired with though. Before anyone on their side realizes it should be detonated, lets move him somewhere safe. A closet maybe for now."

She nods to Rhor "Maybe. But there may be more League goons still entrenched here in the palace. Once we catch our breaths, maybe we should see what the guards are doing."

Yambul smiles as Garthone is brought down. He helps scavenge what they can easily, but is happy to leave the bomb in his head alone. ”No need to blow ourselves up to, well, get a brain-bomb. That went well, but yes, as much as I’d like to go room by room, we need rest first. Let’s slip back out the way we came in and find somewhere we can recuperate a bit.”

He’ll push Garthone into a closet for Rüha, but doesn’t think it’ll help much.

He shuts down and stows his chainsaw so it’s not accessible, or visible. He’ll also prestidigitate to clean himself up, and anyone else who needs it. Then he’ll draw his falchion, and head back out the door.

Before going through the secret door though, he’ll go back to the giants. ”OK, we’re done. Garthone doesn’t want to be disturbed. So don’t let anyone in until he comes out or I come back. You got that? No one goes in.”
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 2 = 29 (heroism)

Whether the giants agree or not doesn’t worry Yambul. If it works, it’ll buy them some time before the opposition knows Garthone is dead. If it doesn’t no big deal. Garthone is still dead.

Rhoreen doesn't have the skill to help with the brain bomb, and somewhat thinks it might be a good idea to detonate it lest some intellect devourer use the corpse.

But if someone is going to try to remove it, she will aid:

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 Heal to aid

Whether the giants agree or not doesn’t worry Yambul.

Rhoreen nods along with Yam-king's words, and falls into step as a member of the entourage.

"Let's check on things here then go rest so we can go after the real prey."

Therace voice booms out of the canister "That a+!!%&$ was paid for my delivery. Garthone made a lot of questions about the Dominion ships and Casandalee's whereabouts"

Rūha sees the Tehcnic League Compound through the window. It is mere minutes away from the Palace, and it is the only other constructed area inside the walls of the inner city.

When Yambul gets out into the corridor, he finds the giants are already poking around, checking the gearsmen and inside Garthone's office, noting the destruction around. They do very attentively listen him and nod "Yes, new master pays well" "We do what master says" "We guard door."

Walking through the secret room, back into the history hall, you notice the Palace is in a fight, the Technic League guards and robots are fighting against Kul-Inkit's loyals.

"That a#@#!#@ was paid for my delivery. Garthone made a lot of questions about the Dominion ships and Casandalee's whereabouts"

The Yoski snatches the Therace Cannister. "Relax, let's get out of here."

”"Yes, new master pays well" "We do what master says" "We guard door."”

Zzvkgrogk nods approvingly, surreptitiously retrieving his everburing eyeballs.

When he sees the chaos of fighting between Inket’s loyals against robots and their Techjerk overlords he suggests, ”Well, maybe we go and get the giants and tell them that the King is resting -- but now there is a commotion. Their presence is needed more urgently up here to take out those Techjerks.”

He wrings his hands almost greedily.

”That way, maybe we can get some rest.”

Khalia nods as Therace rants, glad at least that the reduced humanoid wasn't tortured upon delivery. Interrogated is another thing, of course. "Yes, we aren't sure who controls Ghartone's bomb, nor how large the explosion would be when detonated. It does feel like someone as powerful as he was would be easier to control with a constant threat to his life."

The android busies herself with constructing yet another trap from the destroyed gearsmen. If Yambul's orders aren't followed to the letter, someone will enter Ghartone's foyer only to enjoy a bout of electricity.

Disable Device v DC 10+Gearsman HD: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25 Rigged Construct Trap

She follows along with the rest of the Zzvkith quietly, unsure that they have tamed all hostile chambers of the Palace...

Walking through the secret room, back into the history hall, you notice the Palace is in a fight, the Technic League guards and robots are fighting against Kul-Inkit's loyals.

”Well s#*!. I am not leaving with that fight going. We may not be able to do much, but we can help a little at least.”

When he sees the chaos of fighting between Inket’s loyals against robots and their Techjerk overlords he suggests, ”Well, maybe we go and get the giants and tell them that the King is resting -- but now there is a commotion. Their presence is needed more urgently up here to take out those Techjerks.”

”That’s a great idea. I think I’ll join them though. I’m not sure what they’ll do if I’m not there to remind them what to do, but also, I don’t think I can sit this out.” he looks uncomfortable, knowing the casters are all but spent.

Still, Yambul thinks we have to help fight off the Technic Leaguers. At least the initial forays. But let’s bring the giants to add some chaos into the mix - on our side for a change.

As they appear to be going back into battle, he'll take a couple hits from the wand.

CLW x4: 4d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5, 2, 4) + 4 = 20

Ruha feels pretty energetic still, so she joins Yambul "Right, lets not leave them to struggle against the League when we can take all these out in one fell swoop. It shouldn't need more than a few good hits in each fight to tip the tide in favor of the Palace and Kevoth Kul."

Not sure if this would just be narrative or if we're planning on playing some of these smaller fights out, but Ruha does have a tidy pile of Ki and Advice still to go.

”Well s%+@. I am not leaving with that fight going. We may not be able to do much, but we can help a little at least.”

"As his royal majesty wishes, let's do something," Rhor agrees with not leaving the area in complete chaos. She doesn't have a lot, but will fight with what she has.

Yambul gives a side-eye to Rhoreen, and heads back to the giants.

”Hi all, thanks for guarding this passage. It’s appreciated. Now we have another task for you. Your former employers have offended the king. There’s a fight outside, us against the technic league. Those are the guys with the robots and stuff.” he explains who the two sides are carefully so the giants understand who the ‘enemy’ is.

Then he continues, trying to keep it simple, ”We want you to attack the technic league folks - especially their robots. Can you do that?”

<scchitick> Zzvkgrogk reloads his laser pistol with confidence.

Khalia finishes rigging the door with efficient precision, sealing Garthone's chamber. Outside, Yambul's booming command rallies the giants. They bellow war cries that echo through the palace corridors.

The group bursts into the grand atrium where the battle rages, sparks from shattered gearsmen flash against the obsidian walls, and Tek Makul's loyalists fight in desperate ranks against Kul-Inkit's soldiers. The tide begins to turn the moment Yambul and his companions appear.

Rūha darts ahead, her limbs a blur as she dismantles a gearsman with a flurry of ki strikes. Khalia's arrows take down a retreating League enforcer. Zzvkgrogk's lasers cut through smoke and confusion while his burst drop two robots in a shower of molten iron, while Rhor's power rod keep the luck of their opponents low.

Meanwhile, the giants roar smashing through the Technic League's last lines. The League's men falter, the gleam of their courage extinguished as word spreads: Tek Makul has fallen, and Garthone lies dead. What was once resistance becomes a rout.

Kul-Inkit's voice rises above the chaos, her soldiers pressing forward with renewed fierce. The clash turns into a storm of victory shouts and the hiss of dying machines. When the last gearsman collapses in a heap of twisted steel, the Palace of Fallen Stars stands, battered, burning, but free.

And at its heart, Yambul's presence inspires the masses "The slayer of Garthone, the breaker of the League's hold!" Kul-Inkit proclaims, as cheers swell through the marble halls of the new dawn.

"We have secured the Palace" she explains once you gather with her to plan ahead "Now it is time for us to rest while my men make strong our position here. We will soon need to take things to the next phase. Seize control of the city. But to achieve that, we will need to get rid first of the League command before they organize to strike back"

This is what Rhoreen wanted to hear. She wanted to hear that it was time to rest, and then eventually, she’d get back to her smug ways.

”Well, Yam-king, time to put you abed in the Royal Bedchamber, but don’t worry, we can cart your carving station into the suite in case you feel the need to peel potatoes,” Rhoreen says, looking forward to rest.

”Do you feel safer here or back at our quarters?” she asks, not having much of an opinion, but the Inn would probably be more quiet.

”Rest indeed. ‘League command will be no easy feat.”

Yambul follows along with the others, looking for wherever it is they’re supposed to be bivouacked - he does suggest though that they stay together.

As Rhoreen predicts, he’s still got some nervous energy, and Prestidigitation, so he’ll work on some supper to burn off both. After supper Yambul takes a watch - whether they have soldiers guarding the door or not.

In the morning he feels refreshed. There’s a lot of day ahead, but he feels up to the challenge.

"Woo!" the Ysoki chortles doing a small dance. "Yes, let's rest then plot -- but let's rest here in the palace."

He points towards the direction the rout fled.

"I don't want to go back out there tonight. Think about what we might do before you fall asleep -- and relax. Sometimes the best flashes of inspiration hit when you're dreaming."

"I agree. The Palace has become the soundest choice for keeping Yambul alive. When the Technic League comes to understand the shift of power here, they'll certainly mark him for subjugation or death."

Ruha comes out of the short campaign to rout the League from the palace surprisingly fresh still. The fight after fight these long weeks and months have clearly improved her stamina. She stretches her four arms and says "I agree Zzvkgrogk. At this point, we should probably stay right here. Of all the places in Starfall, this is where we'll find the most allies willing to watch our backs, I think. Though it can't hurt to get a message to our allies in town."

With Kul Inkit she agrees "I'll assume they weren't expecting to be rebuffed like this, but I can't imagine it'll take them long to muster their forces. Of course, without pretend legitimacy given by their position in the palace, they'll be scrambling to exert some control."

She tries to see if she can get a message to the Mockery's agents regarding potential League reprisals before turning in for the night. It's clear the next day will have quite the grueling battles ahead.

Rūha writes a quick message, which is taken in an attempt to contact the Mockery during the night.
Feel free to tell me what you write them!

As the Kellid soldiers move to guard the corridors, your group is led to a set of ornate chambers, once occupied by Tek Makul. The beds are silken, the air still faintly humming with his smell. Outside, distant flashes in the night sky mark scattered skirmishes across the city.

You rest amid the tension of victory, the calm before the storm, knowing the dawn will bring the moment of truth for Starfall, and the fate of Numeria itself may hinge on what comes next.

---

The night passes tense but mercifully quiet. At dawn, Kul-Inkit gathers you in one of the side rooms of the throne hall. Sunlight filters weakly through the stained glass, catching the smoke curling above the city "After the night we have kept our foot and Kevoth Kul himself is fighting to keep control of part of the inner city" she begins, her tone grim but steady "His men have fortified the gates, and the Palace remains under our banner. But the League will not wait long. Their compound lights burn through the night. If we do nothing, they'll strike at any moment"

She unrolls a fresh map of Starfall, tapping the area that marks the Technic League Compound "The front gates are suicide. The skies are worse, they've got shooting turrets, sensors, and enough robots to fill the streets. But there's another way"

Her finger slides beneath the map, tracing toward the Palace "Attack from below. The palace dungeon. As I told you, there is an ancient tunnel, built in the First Sovereign's time. It links this palace to the League's foundations. It has not seen use in years, but I know where the entrance lies"

Her gaze hardens "Two problems. The spirit of the First Sovereign haunts those halls, that is the main reason the tunnel has not been used in recent times and remains secret to most people. And the Black Seers, the old custodians of the Palace, have retreated there. They have refused to serve the League or Kevoth Kul alike. They are wounded, few... but dangerous. Still..." she looks at everyone of you, though her gaze is softer and longer on Yambul "...it's our best chance to take the League by surprise before they crush us all"

She folds her arms "What say you, heroes? Do you care waking up a few ghosts to end the tyrants' grasp? Or would you try your luck with the main doors?"

Ruha pens the following message:

League has been forced out of the palace. Kevoth-Kul seems inclined to throw them out of the city entirely. Please be ready, as they will likely escalate tonight and the next couple of days in attempt to assert control.

---

"I'm not against a little underground infiltration, and the Black Seers are their own problem that should probably be dealt with somehow. But you definitely make it sound like the tunnel will be dangerous." Ruha considers, looking over the map, before turning to the party's magic users "What are our chances of successfully just teleporting past their gates? Catch them off guard that way."[b]

[b]"Do we have maps of the League compound?"

"Two problems. What say you, heroes? Do you care waking up a few ghosts to end the tyrants' grasp?"

Rhoreen looks at Yambul, then back to Kul-Inkit. She appreciates the woman's insights into the approaches, and nods in appreciation.

"I would move for the underground route. I would like to preserve my magics, and long pitched assaults are to be avoided, if possible, but I am willing to have my mind changed," Rhoreen responds.

"What are our chances of successfully just teleporting past their gates? Catch them off guard that way."

Rhoreen shrugs. "I can take some of us in there, but not all. In addition, as I have not been inside, that means that there is some chance of, uh, variance...we might end up a few 100 miles away, but that's really unlikely," Rhoreen answers.

From my reading of teleport, Rhoreen could take 5 medium creatures on a teleporting journey. DDoor is similar, but the risks of ending up in a bad spot can be bad too if she doesn't know/see the landing spot. She does not have Teleport racked at the moment.

Yambul feels refreshed the following day. A new sun has risen above this land in more ways than one. And he’s eager to see to it that sun sets bloody…

He listens to Kul-Inkit over breakfast. ”I think the tunnels sound like an excellent plan. They won’t be expecting it, and we might be able to take the head off this snake. Are they actual ghost-ghosts? Or what?”

When Rüha suggests teleportation of one sort or another his ears prick up, but Rhoreen shoots that idea down for now. ”Yeah, it works best when we already know where we’re going I guess. Might give us an escape route if we become trapped.”