Master of the Fallen Fortress (Inactive)

Game Master TriShadow

While the hexcrafter and Aoa's attacks are errant, Nuwa's aim is true. The monstrous spider falls from the ceiling and collapses in a heap on the stone floor.

After taking a moment to free Swarm, Aoa attempts to move on to the next room. However, she quickly discovers that venturing into the tower’s west wing is impossible. The azata-lon finds it mostly choked with rubble, but a door in the eastern wall is still accessible. The door leads to a stone spiral staircase that runs through the center of the tower. Unfortunately, the stairway is also blocked with fallen rubble.

You collectively realize that if you wish to continue your exploration of the tower’s upper levels, you will have to go back outside and attempt to climb the tower’s exterior walls. The staircase used to lead down to underground tunnels, but this exit collapsed from the aftershocks, sealing the tunnels.

Second Floor
Aoa finds climbing up to the second floor from the outside little trouble. She is able to secure a line, making it easier for the remaining team to join her on an exposed and ruined landing.

Climbing the ragged remains of the east wing’s walls only requires a DC 15 Climb check, but this can be reduced to DC 10 if you have a rope to climb.

Thanks for the summary!! I assume someone has rope. ;-)

Aoa climbs up and helps.

“Here, come up … I will help!“

“That spider was nasty!“ she says and takes its stash of valuables.

Nuwa tries to climb.

climb : 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (8) - 2 = 6

Nuwa tries to climb again.

climb : 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16

“Ah, finally up here!!“

"I have an adequate supply of rope" Swarm says as he hands a knotted silk rope to the azata and brushes the remains of the spider's tether away.

"It will be simple enough to climb with a wall to brace against."

DC5 for a knotted rope with a brace I think. Swarm will take 10 and succeed.

Beleg slings his bow over his shoulder, takes Swarm’s rope, and climbs up…

Climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

…to secure the rope for the others to climb…

No problem Taking 10, so you can all be on the new map, found here.

Aoa enters through the next door and looks around.

perception : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Beleg will move to cover Aoa with his bow…

Just noticed…not sure if perhaps the door Aoa went thru might’ve been locked, so including a Perception/DD check on the door, just in case…

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Disable Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Judging from the shelves lining the walls, this darkened room might once have been a storeroom, though its contents have long since succumbed to the passage of time. A crack in the northern wall has apparently let in some rainwater, which has collected in a large puddle on the floor. Sitting against the far wall is a lizard. It lifts its head as the door opens. As Aoa enters, it rises to its feet and looks expectantly at the group.

Aoa slowly moves towards to the lizard to see if it can be scared away.

“Leave … go … “ she says to the lizard.

know.nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

"A shocker lizard" Swarm notes. "Not immediately hostile, but beware of provoking it."

Swarm reloads his crossbow but keeps it lowered.

Beleg nods. ”From its reaction, probably a pet as it looks like it wants to be fed…perhaps it might like something to eat…”

He retrieves some rations and tosses ‘em towards the eastern wall away from the other door…

”Let’s slowly back away while he’s eating, close this door, and try the southwestern door…”

Aoa looks at Beleg and then at Nuwa.

“I would rather see it gone … if we have to leave fast and this animal is hindering our escape then we have a tactical problem!“ she says and still hopes that the creature just leaves.

She stomps in the ground to intimidate it.

intimidate : 1d20 ⇒ 16

Beleg shakes his head fervently. ”No! You heard Swarm say not to provoke it! Leave it be and we can check the other door…”

Nuwa steps forward to Beleg to support him and is about to say something when Aoa turns back to Nuwa in anger.

“How dare you to imprison me in this form and let me endure the advice of these mortals!! I bathed in lightning!! I breathed lightning … “ she says and suddenly she lowers her head in desperation.

“… and now I am supposed to retreat from … from a lizard? No!!“ she concludes and does not move.

Nuwa is quite speechless and just turns to Beleg with an apologetic expression.

“I … I’m sorry… but I … I don’t … “ she tries to say but stops when Aoa turns back to the lizard.

Finding something to take her anger on, Aoa unleashes her frustration as she attempts to frighten the lizard. Unfortunately, as she gets close, no more than a step away, a spark of electricity arcs off the reptile and into the azata.

NL Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Aoa can make a DC 12 reflex save for half damage. Apply her resistance afterward.

The lizard cocks its head to the side, waiting expectantly.

You can all make a single move or standard action. (Treat as a surprise round).

Nuwa moves into the room!

reflex : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Aoa snarls when the lizard attacks and makes a 5 ft step back.

Aoa shoots at the lizard with her sling.

sling, pbs: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 181d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

"Your ghost has emotional issues" states the machine-man.

"If she kills the lizard it is of no concern. All flesh will meet the same fate."

Swarm raises his crossbow but does not shoot - consider it a Readied action to shoot the lizard if it somehow gets to the door in front of Beleg.

Beleg glares at Aoa, before saying to Nuwa, ”Tell your snake friend to stand down before my next arrow finds her…”

The Elf fires a blunt arrow at the poor shocker lizard, trying to render it unconscious as opposed to killing it…

To hit: Base/DEX, MW, PBS, Studied Target, Nonlethal Shot
Damage: STR, PBS, Studied Target

MW Composite Longbow: 1d12 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 17
Bludgeoning/Nonlethal Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 12

"It is indeed illogical," Bry-Anne reiterates, following Nuwa into the room.

Enraged, Aoa snaps a stone right off the head of the reptile. Beleg follows up with a shot that leaves the beast realing.

A SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT Round 1 Bold may post

Beleg
Aoa
Swarm
Bry-Anne
Nuwa
Shocker {-5/?? hp (12 NL)}

We are on Slide #1.

Aoa steps forward dog and uses her tail to slap the lizard with subtle force!

Tail slap, nonlethal : 1d20 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) - 4 + 2 = 21d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

”I do not have to kill it … just disable it so it doesn’t threaten our escape route!“ she says determined.

Nuwa looks at Beleg and is a little confused.

“I … I don’t own her or something … I mean … ehh … Zaarah wanted Aoa to be a Pathfinder as much as she wanted me to follow this path… I … I don’t … know what to do. Aoa listen to him!“ she says putting her hands in front of her face.

“It is unlikely there will be any reasoning with it now that it has been attacked.” Bry-Anne advances and attempts to tap the lizard gently on the head. “The most humane option is to render it harmless and continue our investigation while it regains consciousness.”

Quarterstaff, Nonlethal: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 4 = 10
Nonlethal Bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"I possess non-lethal attack forms in limited number" Swarm adds.

"I judge none of them suitable for dealing with the shocker lizard at this time. I choose to allow the angry ghost her outburst."

Swarm has a couple of sleep spells prepared, but the Witch lacks any attack cantrips beyond Daze, which only works on humanoids. Swarm will Delay, snapping off a hail mary crossbow shot if the shocker deals any damage to anyone.

Beleg shakes his head in anger but remains silent as he fires another nonlethal shot at the shocker lizard, if it’s still up…

To hit: Base/DEX, MW, PBS, Studied Target, Nonlethal Shot
Damage: STR, PBS, Studied Target

MW Composite Longbow: 1d12 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 16
Bludgeoning/Nonlethal Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 6

You rolled a d12 to attack Beleg - still an 11 isn't too shabby ;)

Dangit, I’m gettin’ old…just looked and I cut and pasted from my previous post in which I also used a d12. Been playing in a long-running TOR campaign where d12’s are the primary die rolls…I’m easily confused nowadays… :)

I will allow it.

Nuwa and Aoa can't find seem to land a hit. However, Beleg's arrow once again cracks off the skull of the lizard, rendering it unconscious.

Out of Combat

"When the creature awakens it will be agitated. Aggressive. Let us go by."

Swarm scans the critter's room with Detect Magic.

Beleg glares again at Aoa, then moves to the shocker lizard and checks on the creature; if it needs to be stabilized he’ll apply what healing he can…

Healing: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

He moves the rations he threw earlier over by the lizard, making sure he can see it when he awakens…

”I’d recommend we leave this room and try the other outside door…”

Swarm quickly surmises that there are no auras of magic in the area.

Beleg judges the azata-lon in stern silence. He kneels so he may tend to lizard. The slayer realized that the creature will be bruised for a number of days, but the pulse is strong and the breathing is regular.

It looks like we have one vote to open the door in this room and one vote to leave the room and select the other door on the landing. We will use the Rule of Two, so the next vote should be the tie breaker.

Aoa ignores Beleg but follows his advice.

She moves to the other door and checks for traps.

In case she finds none then she’ll open the door.

perception : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Aoa deems the door safe, then opens the door.

This octagonal room is covered in a fine layer of dust. It’s clearly been abandoned for a long time.

Here is the updated map.

Nuwa enters and looks around.

perception : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

She also casts detect magic.

She then looks a little confused at Swarm and then Bry-Anne and Beleg.

“Ehh … and who is this ‘the One’ that we’re talking about? Did I miss something or is this is insider information?“ she says crossing her arms.

Trying to change the subject and make the atmosphere a little bit more harmonious, Nuwa turns to Swarm and asks, ”Well, I am sorry Swarm-sama but we were talking about ‘the One’ when we were interrupted by the dogs early. Would you be so kind and elaborate?“ she asks with a slight bow.

Aoa searches the room.

perception : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

She then moves to the other door and checks for traps.

In case she finds none then she’ll open the door.

perception : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

"Hmm? Yes. The One. The One who will come and devour all flesh. The One who will cleanse this world and all worlds. Some look for him in the night sky - they look at the moon hanging over their heads and say, 'There is the One! See how He waits and watches!'

They are fools. The One is here already. Under our feet. In the earth. The process of inevitable decay has already begun."

A cockroach crawls out from Swarm's sleeve. The melted man takes the creature in his hand and holds it up. "Here is the Herald of the One. The Harbinger of the End of All. This insect and its countless brethren devour all flesh. In the end, only the Blessed Machine will remain."

Nuwa’s eyes go wide but she listens and thinks for a while.

”Well, ehhh … isn’t that kind of dangerous for us? And are you sure about the ‘One’s’ intentions Swarm-Sama?! And just for your information: these bugs are kind of inappropriate in a formal setting where etiquette is required … well, here they are of course totally fine…. ehh, yes … “ she says with caution to not insult.

Beleg listens to Swarm’s talk of the One and grunts. ”Huh…he won’t be devouring my flesh for another three or four hundred years or so…”

Keeping his distance from Aoa, the Elf draw his bow as he looks around the room in general and then checks the dusty floor for any signs of tracks…

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Survival (Tracks): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"I have no use for etiquette" Swarm answers. "And I am not flesh, though I have the appearance of flesh. I am Machine."

As Aoa crosses the room she notices a trip wire just in front of the northwestern door.

Meanwhile, Beleg notices faint reptilian tracks in the dust in front of the same door.

The elf takes a knee and manages to safely cut the tripwire. He's reasonably certain that the trap would have fired a javelin at anyone standing just about where Aoa is located.

Opening the door the eidolon sees that racks for weapons line the walls of this chamber; above the racks hang various shields, pieces of armor, weapons, and standards on display. Most of the racks are empty, but a few weapons remain in place. A horrible stench fills the room as well, akin to the smell of rotten eggs mixed with the reek of an open sewer.

Across the room looking through a different door are two reptilian creatures. The humanoid’s scaly hide is dull gray. Its frame resembles that of a cave lizard, with a long tail and crests on its head and back.

Aoa would go into initiative and ready an action to shoot a stone in case they make any hostile action.

Aoa does not move but is ready to shoot at the creature with her sling.

Ready action: sling, pbs: 1d20 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 3 = 231d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

know.nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Swarm peers through the opened door.

"Troglodytes" he says quietly. "We can take them by surprise if we act now. There is no doubt that they seek the secrets of this tower."

Special abilities, special defences, saving throws please.

Beleg nods in agreement with Swarm, studies the red troglodyte, and fires an arrow at it…

To hit: Base/DEX, MW, PBS, Studied Target
Damage: STR, PBS, Studied Target

MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 24
Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 6

Realizing that someone must have harmed or killed their pet lizard, the trogs spin toward the recently opened door. They look momentarily confused as to how the door opened safely. Then, with a sudden snarl, they raise their weapons to attack.

Unfortunately, I do not believe you can ready an action outside of combat. I will however allow you to keep your attack rolls instead of rerolling on your turn.

MEET THE NEIGHBORS Round 1 Bold may act

Swarm
Aoa
Trogs
Beleg
Nuwa
Bry-Anne