m LG human Paladin 9 | HP 76/76 | AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | CMD 23 | F+13 R+11 W+11 [+2 vs illusions] | Init +4 | Perc +0 | LoH 6/8 | Bond 0/1 | Smite 3/3 |
Give up. It's over. Nikita walks forward and points the revolver at the magician. Move & ready action is to shoot if he casts spell / SLA or will attack in another obvious way.
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs: Endure Elements, Mage Armor, False Life (16/16), Ablative Barrier (50/50). | HP 41/41 Temp 16/16|DR 5/Magic|First 5 points of damage is converted to nonlethal|FH 2 Arid Env|AC 29 T 14 FF 26|CMB +5 CMD 18|F +4 R +5 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|40' Fly +18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
The Pathfinders pound the mage with magic missiles. Xilt and Tzelztor both make solid barrages, but the Doctor's tiny burst is what finally brings the creature down.
DC 10 Craft (alchemy) or Knowledge(dungeoneering):
Each hound has a valuable sample of violet fungi in its chest cavity. It can be safely removed with Craft (alchemy) or Craft (clockwork).
The Pathfinders can earn Exploration Points by exploring this district. They can talk to and observe the ratfolk as they go about their daily routines with a Diplomacy check, observe the agricultural practices with a Knowledge (dungeoneering or nature) or Profession (farmer) check, or collect fungus and soil samples with a Knowledge (dungeoneering or nature) or Profession (farmer) check.
Secret Check:
1d5 ⇒ 5
You also stumble upon some sites of archaeological significance while exploring the area. Within, they find several centuries-old treasures, including a cauldron of brewing, a ring of arcane signets, a collection of ancient Diguo-Dashu ceramics and currency , a grappler’s mask stylized to resemble a rat with draconic features, and ancient Diguo-Dashu jewelry.
DC 20 Use Magic Device or DC 25 Knowledge (arcana):
The ring
still displays its last owner’s mark, an older Diguo-Dashu symbol of senior military rank. Before anyone attempts to wear the ring, you can lock the mark in place, preventing it from changing and preserving the ring’s historic value.
Male Human Investigator - 11 | F7 R11 W10 | hp:91/91 | AC:19 | I3 P25+d8 | WoMM:34 | LE | 124312-13
The Doctor looks up at the mephit and sighs but does grin. It'll regenerate by tomorrow ... but yes .. I should get one that packs a bigger punch - but, at least it never misses ... so why do they call them missiles eh? Want a jelly baby?
k dungeoneering:1d20 + 10 + 1d8 ⇒ (9) + 10 + (3) = 22 Now that's interesting. He goes to retrieve the samples.
crafting:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36
umd:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23 And that is even more interesting. He locks the mask in place
m LG human Paladin 9 | HP 76/76 | AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | CMD 23 | F+13 R+11 W+11 [+2 vs illusions] | Init +4 | Perc +0 | LoH 6/8 | Bond 0/1 | Smite 3/3 |
Nikita will provide first aid to everyone who needs it (in general, with the heal skill, which is mechanically useless, but if necessary, maybe with LoH too, write if you need some 4d6) and then he will calmly walk along with the squad. Calmly, but with a hand ready to pull out a revolver at any moment. Magic and underground knowledge are not his strong point, but he is obliged to protect his comrades.
Lorian looked at the charred clothing he was wearing and damaged beard. "Can someone patch me up please?" he asked as he started to clean up his shinged beard.
Xilt and Tzleztor are simply slightly bruised from the encounter and Nikita has a tiny scratch hardly worth mentioning. The other three however do need some form of medical attention.
"Very well. I will start but Tull and Nikita I suppose may have to finish off."
The wizard casts a summoning spell and a beautifully exotic blonde female appears. Her lusciously long curls is strategically covering her ample bosom. She slides gracefully on her powerful tail. She sings a beautiful melody as she heals the party.
Summon Monster VI is cast and a Lillend Azata appears!
@cmlobue - Lorian is completely healed. John is healed 63 hit points.
Xilt refreshes his False Life spell. He knows that his (non-lethal) wounds will heal by themselves in a little over an hour. He also recovers a spell with a pearl of power.
As the group prepares to investigate further, Tull offers the blessings of Lady Desna for any who might wish it. As before, Tull will be useless for skill checks except for his blessings.
The Pathfinders continue observing and interacting with the people of Round Mountain. It would be a shame if something happened to them. Perhaps with the new information you learned and better dice luck you can convince Zho Bai to evacuate.
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs: Endure Elements, Mage Armor, False Life (16/16), Ablative Barrier (50/50). | HP 41/41 Temp 16/16|DR 5/Magic|First 5 points of damage is converted to nonlethal|FH 2 Arid Env|AC 29 T 14 FF 26|CMB +5 CMD 18|F +4 R +5 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|40' Fly +18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
With new information and a more measured argument from Lorian, Zho Bai agrees that Round Mountain needs to be evacuated.
Soon after Zho Bai calls for an evacuation, she summons Commander Nor Zhen, your group and their fellow Pathfinders to her offices. To ensure that the citizens have a chance to evacuate, somebody must stay behind to hold the clockwork army at bay. Knowing that those who stay behind may not survive, Nor Zhen still presents a bold plan. He intends to weaponize the return of Round Mountain, by first luring the clockwork army into the Big Ticker. Once the bulk of the clockwork forces move into the cavern, a group of soldiers will then collapse several elevator towers to block the clockwork invaders’ escape. Any soldiers that survive up to this point will then evacuate to emergency bunkers and await rescue. Round Mountain’s return could thus crush hundreds of clockwork abominations, which would go a long way towards securing the region. Nor Zhen explains that his soldiers are already busy digging out and stocking several bunkers. In return, Zho Bai authorizes the release of two immovable rods from the treasury, in the hopes that they may strengthen the bunker ceilings.
Zho Bai thanks you for your assistance rendered to date. She does not expect the Pahfinders to help with the evacuation, but she still asks if they have any spells or magical items that might help. Riada volunteers to stay behind, believing that her ability to magically tend to wounds and create food and water may be useful, and suggests that she can prevent the spontaneous creation of undead creatures.
At this point, you can choose to evacuate the Big Ticker along with the citizens or stay behind to first delay and then trap the armies of Pan Majang.
"I think we should stay with the citizens and make sure that they get out safely. If we have time we can return afterwards to delay and crush the enemy army."
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs: Endure Elements, Mage Armor, False Life (16/16), Ablative Barrier (50/50). | HP 41/41 Temp 16/16|DR 5/Magic|First 5 points of damage is converted to nonlethal|FH 2 Arid Env|AC 29 T 14 FF 26|CMB +5 CMD 18|F +4 R +5 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|40' Fly +18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
"Yeah. Saving the people seems to be the important mission. These walking machines can be defeated latter by someone else if need be."
The mephit lowers his voice and finds the time to say the next bit more discretely not wishing to undermine the group in front of Zho Bai.
"Not to mention that most of you had difficulty fighting four little mechanical doggies and were getting tripped all the time. Maybe we should go with the first plan and not be overly heroic."
I get that player participation was a little lacking during the last combat but Tzleztor saw what he saw. :)
"Fighting is fine but we should escort these people to safety first. We don't know that they will not be attacked on the way out of here."
I am expecting combat either way but I never played this one before so what do I know. Perhaps leading them to safety prevents the final battle or we will get a different battle or the same battle on a different map. :)
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs: Endure Elements, Mage Armor, False Life (16/16), Ablative Barrier (50/50). | HP 41/41 Temp 16/16|DR 5/Magic|First 5 points of damage is converted to nonlethal|FH 2 Arid Env|AC 29 T 14 FF 26|CMB +5 CMD 18|F +4 R +5 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|40' Fly +18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
Your choice is real. You can escort the citizens out and be done, or stay and help contain the clockworks. As expected, the latter option has both more risks and more rewards. It will happen on a new day, for what that's worth.
Nor Zhen thanks you for your willingness to assist before continuing the briefing. The ratfolk commander explains that his soldiers have identified what they believe to be the command squadron of the invading force. This particular group of clockwork constructs appears to prefer to lead from the front. Nor Zhen believes that the Pathfinders should engage the clockwork leaders in combat and keep their attention for as long as possible while the ratfolk soldiers prepare to collapse the wooden elevator and nearby bridges. With the cavern already in a state of near collapse, he believes this should cause a significant wave of damage that could destroy the invading constructs and stall their advance long enough for the crushing return of Round Mountain to put an end to any constructs who survive the trap.
After giving you a few hours to prepare, including handing over your reports to Torstra and Soh Jung, Nor Zhen positions you on the fort’s easternmost access ramp, which puts the Pathfinders directly in the invading clockwork army’s path. The ratfolk then set their fungus fields alight, which fills the cavern with a thick black smoke. Nor Zhen explains that he hopes that the smoke hides Round Mountain’s approach from the Pan Majang army.
The two bridges are suspended between three raised, rocky outcroppings, allowing creatures to move beneath the bridges. You begin on the cavern floor, and ratfolk on the bridges prepare work to destroy the structures.
@cmblobue - You mentioned that the attack would occur on a new day. Has only a few hours passed or has a day(s) plus a few hours passed since our meeting with the clockwork mage and hounds?
Over a day. Your would have met with Zho Bai they day after the fight with the clockworks. If you ask, they will delay the operation to the next day, but no later.
"Pick a buddy and work together! Get into flank with them and start carving them up!" Lorian said, giving directions to the group.
Move action-Pincer Maneuver (Inspiring Command) Allies apply the battle herald’s inspiring command bonus (+2 competence bonus) to attack and damage rolls when flanking and as a dodge bonus to AC against attacks of opportunity provoked by movement (including standing from prone).
Standard action-Tactician (Precise Strike) All allies gains Precise Strike feat if you are within 30 feet of me. Whenever you and an ally who also has this feat are flanking the same the creature, you deal an additional 1d6 points of precision damage with each successful melee attack. This bonus damage stacks with other sources of precision damage, such as sneak attack. This bonus damage is not multiplied on a critical hit.
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Warpriest 9/Bloodrager 1 | HP 85/85 (rage: 115/115) 27 nonlethal | AC 21 T 11 FF 20 (rage: -2) | CMB +13, CMD 24 | F +16(19), R +9, W +14(18) | | Init +1 | Perc +10 SM +8 | Speed 40' |Fervor 9/9 |Bloodrage 16/16 | Blessings 7/7 | Sacred Weapon 9/9 | Sacred Armor 9/9 | Active Conditions: |
Slightly swapping my spell choices for the day (preparing Deadly Juggernaut instead of Invisibility Purge). Before the start of the battle (or at whatever time the GM deems appropriate) cast Defending Bone on myself (9 hours duration) and Delay Poison Communal on the entire party (9 hours duration split amongst the party members).
Lorian starts giving tactical instructions to his allies.
The green and blue creatures charge toward the Pathfinders.
The yellow and purple enemies hurl magic missiles before approaching. They spread them out so everyone in the party gets a pair.
Two at the Doctor:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5 Two at the Lorian:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 = 10 Two at the Nikita:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7 Two at the Xilt:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 2 = 6 Two at the Tull:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 = 8
Rounb]d 1-2 - bolded may go
The Doctor (-5 HP, haste)
Red (under the bridge)
Lorian the Peacemaker (-10 HP, haste)
Nikita Volkov (-7 HP, haste, delay)
Green
Purple
Yellow
Blue
Xilt (-6 temp HP, haste)
Tull (-8 HP, haste)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Warpriest 9/Bloodrager 1 | HP 85/85 (rage: 115/115) 27 nonlethal | AC 21 T 11 FF 20 (rage: -2) | CMB +13, CMD 24 | F +16(19), R +9, W +14(18) | | Init +1 | Perc +10 SM +8 | Speed 40' |Fervor 9/9 |Bloodrage 16/16 | Blessings 7/7 | Sacred Weapon 9/9 | Sacred Armor 9/9 | Active Conditions: |
GM, what sort of a tactical obstacle is the bridge? Can we just move *under* it to engage the enemies (as Red seems to be doing)? Or do we need to climb up onto it (and if so, do we need to make Climb checks)?
Also, going forward will you please specify which enemy is attacking Tull? His Dutiful Strike ability gives him benefits when he attacks whomever last attacked him.
The two bridges are suspended between three raised, rocky outcroppings (Climb DC 15 to scale), allowing creatures to move beneath the bridges. The PCs begin on the cavern floor, and ratfolk on the bridges prepare work to destroy the structures.
Each caster sent one missile at each Pathfinder. Yellow would be last due to initiative.
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Warpriest 9/Bloodrager 1 | HP 85/85 (rage: 115/115) 27 nonlethal | AC 21 T 11 FF 20 (rage: -2) | CMB +13, CMD 24 | F +16(19), R +9, W +14(18) | | Init +1 | Perc +10 SM +8 | Speed 40' |Fervor 9/9 |Bloodrage 16/16 | Blessings 7/7 | Sacred Weapon 9/9 | Sacred Armor 9/9 | Active Conditions: |
Tull angrily steps forward 5', retrieves a potion of Enlarge Person and quaffs it. Then he swiftly brings the blessings of Lady Desna upon himself.
Free action: enter bloodrage (round 1 of 16) Move and Standard actions: retrieve and drink potion Swift action: spend 1 fervor (1 of 9) to swift cast Divine Favor
m LG human Paladin 9 | HP 76/76 | AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | CMD 23 | F+13 R+11 W+11 [+2 vs illusions] | Init +4 | Perc +0 | LoH 6/8 | Bond 0/1 | Smite 3/3 |
Nikita brings the revolver to his lips, whispering blessings in an incomprehensible rude language, but Ragathiel is mentioned there, so it's not difficult to assume that this is a prayer. The revolver begins to glow slightly, and paladin takes a step forward.
