DM Brainiac's Sky King's Tomb

Game Master Brainiac

This time, Cricket's bolt finds its mark. Mal finishes off the mushroom monster with her teeth, ripping it apart. It falls limply to the ground, a light dusting of spores wafting from its inert corpse.

One end of the hammock is anchored to the roof with a climbing bolt. A jade cat talismanhangs from a woven collar around the bug creature's stubby neck. The monster’s favorite boulder (5 Bulk, Hardness 10, 20 HP) contains the equivalent of two cold iron chunks for anyone who can crack it open; with a successful DC 15 Mining Lore check or DC 22 Athletics check, a PC might break it open without needing to deal damage.

Uhe stows away his bow. The dwarf shyly meandering about the place pulling bolts from walls, removing talismans from necks, rolling a Boulder suspiciously, and preparing to deliver a well placed karate chop.....

"Let me see if I can do it," Brijetta says, concentrating on the boulder. "I can hear some metal in there. It wants to come out."

Will try extract elements though I don't know if it will work.

It doesn't work as written but I'll allow it!

Brijetta uses her kinetic abilities to extract the cold iron from the boulder!

Ten-minute rest or proceed up the stairs?

I could use some healing! So, yeah, 10-minute rest. Then move on.

Uhe stares at the ore politely removing itself from the Boulder.
That was convenient.

Mal somehow both rears up and leans back, dancing on her hind legs as she paws at her nose.

Then all of a sudden she sneezes so hard all the fur flies off of her...

And then there's Mal all back again. Her amusement at her own antics quickly ebbs though as she realizes what a profound beating Brijetta took from the mushroom creature.

Medicine DC 20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 Pffft

"Ohhh, I reckon that might be a bit more'n arnica's good for... Let's keep things from grindin' around for now, but it'll need more tendin' soon."

Brijetta looks a little confused as Mal doesn't really help her ... though part of her seems resigned to that being her fate. She's not sure if Mal just wants to push on, though? I'm down to 16 hp; I could just stay in the back, but that seems awfully risky...

"I've got a little juice left, Brijetta." Gig weave his hands together in a shadow puppet of a nurse tending the kineticist.

sooth (2nd): 2d10 + 8 ⇒ (6, 8) + 8 = 22

After healing up, you head up the stairs into a nautral hollow inside the giant mushroom's cap. Each of the cap’s 10 membranes has a tall, narrow window carved into it, and the ceiling arches 15 feet overhead, where an assortment of glowing fungi fill the room with normal light. The room contains what looks like a living laboratory. A workbench in the chamber is clean, yet the rest of the room is littered with discarded fungi from failed experiments.

A small fungus leshy stands on the workbench, glaring angrily at you. Two more zombified mushroom-men stand in front of him, dead eyes glassy.

"I should have known you would come for me," the leshy declares. "I have watched for decades as humanoids like you kidnap and eat innocent fungi! I have worked tirelessly to put an end to such despicable practices! The restaurant in your city was just a warning. Once I perfect my sporeborn zombies, then all of you will know what it is like to be eaten for a change!"

"Look, sure we eat fungi, but we are careful to cultivate it, too! We help spread spores and make sure that species propagate."

Gig's not really an expert at horticulture, but he's pretty sure that no one sentient creatures are being kidnapped and fed to dwarves. Torag wold surely frown on that.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Uhe stares silently at the fungus leshy for a full minute, before shrugging.
Pursue A Lead

The dwarf then begins searching under the counters, inside cabinets and even under a foot stool.
There's got to be a Scying device around here someplace.

Barkskin, then Shattering Gem before proceeding

"I reckon it's more a circle of life kinda thing though, right? Fungi an' all already get to eat us back if'n they wait for it. Sooner if you count whatever that smell is from Cricket's boots."

"Thank you," Brijetta says as Gig heals her, though she's a little confused about whether he wanted her to drink some of his juice or give her more (even though she doesn't have any juice with her).

In the mushroom cap, the young dwarf stays quiet, keeping to the back so she doesn't mess anything up.

"Enough! There can be no peace between mushroom and man! It's time for you to become fertilizer!" the leshy shrieks.

Using Gig's Diplomacy roll as his initiative roll.

The leshy hurls spore pods at Gig to devastating effect! The zombified myceloids stagger towards Mal and attack, but the druid's shield deflects their attacks.

Spore Pods vs Gig: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 321d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 231d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6) + 3 = 102d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 = 52d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 3 = 13
Fists vs Mal: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 201d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

38 bludgeoning damage to Gig. He must succeed at a DC 20 Fortitude save or take 2 persistent poison damage. A creature has its vision reduced as long as the persistent damage continues and can see only within 20 feet (or 10 feet on a critical failure).

Brijetta yelps in surprise as the mushroom man attacks, calling the forge elements to her with a blast of fire. She follows up with a spray of metal shards.

◈ Channel Elements, including free kinetic blast vs. leshy; ◈◈ Shard Strike
Elemental Blast (fire), ranged (60 feet): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Fire, one action: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Shard Strike shards, 15-foot cone, slashing (DC 18 Reflex): 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11
1d6 persistent bleed damage on a critical failure

Mal hunkers beneath the weight of blows on her shield, then shifts her form once more. Remembering that teeth weren't the best weapon for these fungals, her shape is different this time. The fur that springs forth is grey and tangled instead of streaming red, the tail is stubby and abrupt. The claws are wickedly sharp.

Cat Claws: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22
Slashing: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

Fortitude: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"Ouch, my head!" Gig staggers on his feet and tries to wipe the poison out of his eyes. He conjures the last of his magic to heal himself, but manages to encourage his companions.

cast heal, inspire courage

healing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Uhe seems truly amazed by Gig's Resiliency! Truly the tales of dwarves endurance is understated....

The Investigator then thumbs his nose at the leshy with an attitude!
Free Action DaS! ◆Ranged(T) Shortbow, inspired: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 = 191d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + (2) + 1 = 4 Traits: Deadly d10 P Range 60'

Uhe screams in frustration!
◆Intimidation(T) to Demoralize: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Uhe frowns, but still feebly fires his inept shot....

The determination builds as he attempts a second but not as sweet a shot at attitude muffin!
◆ Ranged(T) Shortbow, inspired: 1d20 + 7 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 5 + 1 = 201d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Traits: Deadly d10 P Range 60'

"You are clearly unhinged..." Cricket says as he aims and shoots.

Hunt Prey, Strike, Reload

Strike, IC: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 = 25 Targeting the Leshy
Damage, CA, IC, Precision: 2d10 + 2 + 1 + 1d8 ⇒ (10, 10) + 2 + 1 + (7) = 30

Reflex vs Shard Strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 211d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Uhe's first attack misses. His scream greatly demoralizes the leshy, though, allowing his second arrow to strike true. Cricket fires a crossbow bolt directly into the leshy's body, piercing all the way through and out the other side! The creature shrieks in pain and fury but is still standing!

Brijetta's blast mises the leshy, but her shards tear through the zombified myceloids, the slashing damage proving super effective! Mal capitalizes on this weakness as well, her claws ripping through rotting fungoid flesh!

The leshy shifts its aim to Cricket, firing spore pods at the ranger!

Spore Pods: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 261d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 81d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 2) + 3 = 11

The myceloid zombies attack Mal, bludgeoning her with their fists!

Fists: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 251d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 251d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

11 bludgeoning damage to Cricket. He must succeed at a DC 20 Fortitude save or take 2 persistent poison damage. A creature has its vision reduced as long as the persistent damage continues and can see only within 20 feet (or 10 feet on a critical failure).

27 total bludgeoning damage to Mal. Everybody may act!

Gig keeps his distance, and fires small flecks of metal start into the fungal leshy.

Inspire Courage, Cast needle darts

needle darts: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10 for piercing: 4d4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 3) + 1 = 12

Unfortunately, he's so distracted by his headache that his shot goes dar wide.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Cricket takes a deep breath just before getting hit by the spore and thus avoids the poison. He'd not risk dealing with spores again. He almost loses his breath when hit by the thing, though.

He shoots twice more in quick succession.

Strike, Reload, Strike

Strike, IC: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 = 25
Damage, CA, IC, Precision: 2d10 + 2 + 1 + 1d8 ⇒ (9, 1) + 2 + 1 + (3) = 16

Strike, IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 22
Damage, CA, IC: 2d10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8, 1) + 2 + 1 = 12

Uhe grins at the little piquant.

The Investigator again considers his choices!

Free Action DaS! ◆Ranged(T) Shortbow, inspired: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 221d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + (4) + 1 = 10 Traits: Deadly d10 P Range 60'

Uhe smiles! He fires his fine shot....

The determination builds as he attempts a second but not as sweet a shot at attitude muffin!
◆ Ranged(T) Shortbow, inspired: 1d20 + 7 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 5 + 1 = 161d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Traits: Deadly d10 P Range 60'

The dwarf then Hides behind some table.
◆Stealth(T): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

The gem whipping around Mal's head intercept's the first blow, shattering into a hail of lacerating shards. The blows smashing down into her fur echo dully against skin that is clearly denser than a normal cat's as well...

Shattering Gem Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Slashing: 1d8 ⇒ 8 Basic Ref 19 for the one that punched her first

After Gem, DR, and Temp, taking effectively 11

Streaking around the fungal zombies in a blur, Mal rakes her wicked talons across her foes as she flings herself onward.

Claws: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 1 = 24
Slashing: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 = 12
Claws: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 = 23
Slashing: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

If Brij or anyone else is in melee then Mal will first move to Flank. If not, then after her second set of claws she'll move like 50' away

"Mal!" Brijetta cries as the cat gets pummeled, the young dwarf's heart skipping a beat until she sees the cat dart away.

She blasts the fungal zombies again, hoping they can destroy them quickly!

◈◈ Shard Strike; ◈ kinetic blast vs. remaining zombie (metal) or vs. leshy (fire, which has a 60-foot range)
Shard Strike shards, 15-foot cone, slashing (DC 18 Reflex): 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
1d6 persistent bleed damage on a critical failure

Elemental Blast (metal or fire), ranged (30 or 60 feet): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Slashing, one action: 1d8 ⇒ 5
or Fire, one action: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Cricket's bolts take out the leshy, then the rest of you team up to finish off the zombies! They crumple to the ground and lie still.

A tiny hourglass (a grim sandglass) sits atop the workbench amid various brushes that have been used to restore it. Nearby lies a knot of brittle hair held together by a metal clasp that resembles two hands clasped in friendship. This clasp functions as a diplomat’s badge, though Krohan regards it with puzzlement. "Strange. This object seems to pull at me in the same way that the distant clan dagger yet does. I feel this might have untold historical value."

The leshy's notes here consist of nearly a hundred sheets of mismatched parchment held together by a bone pin. Most pages contain field illustrations of various fungi, Sylvan rants about surface predators eating his “children,” and maps of other restaurants in Highhelm that the leshy planned to attack, but there are also two rituals recorded here. The first is create mycoguardian. The other is a variant of reincarnate whose randomly determined bodies depart from the typical odds.

On a result of 1 through 8, the new body is one of a common ancestry. On a 9 through 13, the body is of an uncommon or rare ancestry. On a 14 through 20, the target’s new body is that of a leshy.

Lore (dwarf) (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

"Oh!" Brijetta murmurs, mostly to herself. "My uncle cut off his long beard when he got in trouble. Maybe it's something like that."

"I wonder if that's what was pulling Krohan, and not the dagger..."

I hope our dwarf party doesn't end up becoming a leshy party. :)

Uhe peers over the table to see that the leshy and its thralls were truly vanquished. The Investigator stands. He brushes off his pants, as he strides over to better look at the knot of brittle hair held together by a metal clasp that resembles two hands clasped in friendship.
Society(E) DC 15: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

I seem to recall that dwarves sometimes acknowledge wrongdoing by severing a beard or braid. Probably cursed.

Reviewing the leshy's notes, the Investigator figures out the precise mathematics of possible and most likely reincarnations.
Looks fine to me.

Mal winces at the braid/beard cutting discussion. "Yep. Reckon that sounds right."

Studying the druid's notes she quickly cheers. "Oh... This is kinda... Huh. Might have to use this some time. Not to kill surfacers or restauranters or nothin of course!"

Looks like a great piece of gear for Gig too!

"No doubt it memorializes some sort of infamous deed! I'll bear it with honor while we investigate." Gig looks over the clasp to see if he can pinpoint its historical era via the style or material.

Dwarf Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Gig is unable to place what era the clasp might be from.

When you are ready, you proceed out of the giant mushroom and down the tunnel behind it. The fungus carpet here sags, covering a tunnel over 20 feet wide that descends steeply. The biomass supports your weight, requiring considerable slashing or burning to make a hole to the tunnel below.

"Here it is. This is where I dropped the clan dagger," Krohan says. "At the time, this was just a narrow crack. Even so, I can sense the dagger deep below us, but not too far away."

The thick hyphae have extended hundreds of feet down the tunnel, covering about half the distance you need to descend, and by tying ropes where the fungi end, you are able to descend the remaining 300 feet with relative ease. The shaft deposits you in a horizontal tunnel with a dry pool where rainwater once trickled down from above. The whole area has the lingering, unpleasant odor of xulgaths.

"Should we find a safe place to rest before proceeding, or are you all good to go?" Krohan asks.

"I wouldn't mind a rest, if we can spare the time. I'm pooped, and those mushrooms banged me up a bit." Gig rubs the tender goose-egg on his forehead where the seed hit him.

Brijetta wrinkles her nose, but agrees they could rest.

"But maybe we should climb back up? It might not smell quite as bad," she suggests quietly.

"Oh right, sorry 'bout that." Mal quickly busies herself tending to Gig's and her wounds.

For Mal 'cause she's less hurt
Medicine: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Healing: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 8) = 16

For Gig
Expert Medicine: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Healing: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (5, 6) + 5 = 16

"Hey I might keep this neat hourglass? If no one wants it?"

"Oh, that's much better Mal. Thanks!" Gig's headache fades under the druid's tender care.

Cricket nods to Brijetta. "That is smart. If we retreat and xulgaths come, we'll smell them from afar and we'll have the high ground."

Uhe climbs down lastly. The dwarf seems excited to not have to...
Back up, you say.

The dwarf sighs.

You climb back up and rest safely within the chambers inside the enormous mushroom. In the morning, you break camp, descend once more, and proceed along the tunnel. After walking for about half a mile, you come upon a massive cavern. The ceiling arches high overhead and stretches nearly a quarter of a mile across. The remains of a settlement can be seen within the cavern. The upper portion is semi-intact, but the lower portion is a mess of rubble, stalagmites, and the occasional ruin. Even from this distance, you can spot flickering lights around one massive stalagmite, as well as a dull fire burning in what appears to be a camp. Reptilian figures move about the camp.

Krohan concentrates on his armor shard for a moment before becoming worried. "This is strange. The clan dagger is here, but it seems to exist in two places—or two pieces. One is among the ruined buildings up here, and the other is inside that camp. We should proceed with caution."

"Let's checked the ruined buildings first, so we know what we are looking for." Gig bites his lip. "Perhaps we can just sneak around those...residents." He points toward the figures near the fire.

Brijetta nods, happy to sneak. The forge spirits will help defend her if necessary, but she'd rather not fight.

The morning is met with the Investigator doing inventory during a breakfast of mushrooms omelets and fungus coffee.

Viewing the multiple lights lit lazily like in and around the enormous cavern, the dwarf sighs.
2gp they don't be liking visitors.

At the mention of using Stealth, the Investigator smiles.
I have just enough Infusions to make four Quicksilver Mutagen (Item 3) ?

Mal waves Uhe off, calling on the spirits to lengthen her stride. "Mutagens don't really stick to me."

Mineral-rich water dripping upon the cavern’s eastern side slowly built up limestone pads, creating a series of pock-marked terraces. A stretch of shallow limestone pools and puddles in your path are choked with dust and gravel that's slightly moist from the dripping stalactites above.

You spot a pair of large puddles of thick, dark mud here, heaped at the center in slightly drier patches of loam. Looking closer, though, you can see vague facial features among the dried mud...

Bardic Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Gig is careful to pick his way among the unfamiliar terraces.

Brijetta looks a bit dubious at Uhe's mushroom breakfast. It seems in poor taste -- no pun intended -- after the events of the previous day. She'll stick with her dried rations for at least one day. She thanks him for the elixir, though but not drinking yet.

Nature (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

As she spies the puddles, she stops a moment, coking her head as if she's hearing something.

"Oh, yes, they're mudwretches in their resting form. They do like blood, so we should avoid them."

Gig, about to step near one of the holes, pauses with foot in mid-step. "Oh! Thanks Brijetta." He catches his balance and gives the puddles a wide berth.

"You're very careful, Brijetta. It's really keeping us out of jams!" Gig compliments.

"You win all the fights you don't fight." Cricket mentions as they pass by. "Weird saying, but in the Darklands, always better being unseen."

Uhe smiles at Brijetta as the Investigator--quickly--mixes her a Quicksilver Mutagen.
Will last 10 minutes. No swimmingfor 1 half hour.

The dwarf then carefully steps where the others step.
This reminds me of tiptoeing through the tulips.

He steps on a sharp tulip with a sheepish grin.
Arcana(E): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

The dwarf nods.
Yup. mudwretches. We used to place one inside a person's boot at summer camp. Good times! Unless it was your boot.

Discussion when Discord won’t suffice.

Brijetta, to level 2!
+12 HP
+1 to everything
+ class feat: Magnetic Pinions
+ skill feat: Streetwise
+ archetype feat: Fireworks technician dedication

Brijetta, to level 3!

+12 HP
+1 to everything
+ Extract Element: You extract elemental matter from a creature's body to weaken it and take its power for your own. Target a creature within 30 feet that has a trait matching one of your kinetic elements or is made of one of your kinetic elements. The target takes 2d4 damage (with no damage type) and becomes susceptible to your impulses, depending on its Fortitude save against your class DC.
+ general feat: Ancestral Paragon to get Dwarven Doughtiness: You are either naturally calm and collected in the face of imminent danger, or you are very good at faking it. At the end of your turn, reduce your frightened condition by 2 instead of 1.
+ skill increase: Crafting to Expert
+ Will expertise: Your proficiency rank for Will saves increases to expert

Gig to 3!

+1 to Everything
Performance to Expert
General Feat: Keen Follower
Lightning Reflexes

Spells:
Signature - Sooth

2nd:
Animated Assault
Invisibility

Mal to 3!

+1 to stuff
+13 hp (thanks Toughness!)
Perception, Fort, and Medicine to Expert

I'm gonna be preparing more buff spells, but I'll still be packing a Heal. Just expecting to use Shattering Gem, Barkskin, and Longstrider a bit more too.

And most importantly of all - Wild Shape now gives Animal Form!!!

Mal to 4!

+1 to stuff
+11 hp
Order Explorer (Wave)
Ward Medic
Extra Barkskin
Opportunist ::airhorns::

The time of the Slurk is now!!

Brijetta, level up to Level 4!
+1 to everything
+14 hp
+ class feat: Thermal Nimbus: You direct waves of warmth into or out of your kinetic gate to drastically shift the temperature around you. Choose cold or fire. You and allies in your kinetic aura gain resistance equal to your level to damage of that type. Any creature that starts its turn in your kinetic aura or moves into your aura during its turn takes damage equal to half your level of the chosen type. Elemental resistance from a gate junction is cumulative with resistance from Thermal Nimbus.
+ skill feat: Magical Crafting (will figure out my four formulas later)
+ free archetype feat: Coughing Dragon Display

Gig's Level 4
+1 to everything
+ HP
Class Feat: Multifarious Muse (Polymath), Versatile Performance

Skill Feat: Eyes of the City

Free Archetype: Shard Strike

Probably my last post until I return from vacation, but I wanted to collect all the information we just learned in one spot, since I think it'll be helpful (and it was spread over two pages worth of posts):

You quickly begin to make progress in your research efforts. You start by learning and affirming common Quest for Sky knowledge: born just before Earthfall and Torag’s call for dwarven migration, Taargick grew up during the Quest for Sky and swiftly established himself as a leader and polymath. His diplomacy mobilized and united countless dwarven clans to travel to the surface, even if many split off in different directions as they ascended.

From there, you begin to learn minor details about Taargick’s birthplace, Felgunn, one of several kingdoms deep in the Darklands where dwarves lived before Earthfall. The city seemed prosperous, even idyllic, which helps explain why so many dwarves were reticent to heed Torag’s summons upward. Knowledge of Felgunn isn’t widespread, and its actual location doesn’t survive in modern records. It may as well be a myth.

You learn about some of Taargick’s closest companions during the Quest for Sky. Hrungul Ironeye defied Torag’s call, but after Taargick bested him in a duel, Hrungul became a fervent supporter and co-leader. The young priest Ferghaz (the same figure you met in Tolorr crypt several days ago) lent Taargick religious legitimacy early on, and his tireless advocacy of Torag’s vision kept the dwarven migration energized. Yuli Rholdammen led the dwarven vanguard, becoming a heavily decorated and scarred general from her countless battles.

The freizes and statues suggest schisms and internal conflicts during the centuries-long Quest for Sky. Some dwarves wanted to settle down at the halfway point or turn back altogether. Some abandoned Taargick’s path and ventured in different directions. You begin noticing clues in the art and documents that suggest many dwarves increasingly resented and regretted that Torag’s mission caused so much bloodshed and earned them so many enemies. Upon reaching the surface, however, newfound confidence and fervor drown out old concerns, and artwork increasingly depicts dwarven warfare as righteous and warranted.

You learn of Taargick’s deeds after reaching the surface and becoming high king. Most information is bland and positive, with him building this or declaring that. The greatest upset of his reign came when the sky citadel Koldukar’s artisans built an elaborate tomb for the aging monarch, only for him to politely decline. The venerable king disappears into the Darklands, never to be seen again—at least until a massive cave worm crashed into Highhelm a few years later, regurgitated his clan dagger, announced that the high king was well, then withdrew peacefully.

Taargick’s disappearance into the Darklands wasn’t unexpected. By reading between the lines, you find signs that Taargick’s faith wavered, that he questioned the atrocities committed in Torag’s name, and that he attempted several unpopular initiatives to repair past wrongs. The historians of Tar Taargadth, the first dwarven empire in Avistan, seemed especially keen to sugarcoat the Quest for Sky and their founder’s legacy...

Brijetta and Uhe make great strides in the reading room. They are able to piece together some of the misdeeds committed by Taargick, his advisors, and the dwarves they led. Rhetoric by the priest Ferghaz became increasingly xenophobic and zealous, pushing out moderating Rivethun voices. Absolved by this religious mandate, General Rholdammen and her soldiers committed war crimes against orcs, xulgaths, and other Darklands inhabitants. Taargick walked a fine line: he stopped what he could but knew that a major controversy could break morale and end the migration.

Level 5
+CON, INT, WIS, CHA
+1 to everything

Ancestry Feat
Defy the Darkness (Greater Darkvision)

Level 3 Spells
Blindness, Haste

Mal to 5

+1 to everything
Hp to 70
Str to +3, Dex to +3, Con to +3, Wis to +~4

Nature to Expert
Reflex to Expert

Picking up Boulder Roll for fun shoves, and getting ready to roll around in Sand Form. Oh, and since we'll be going up against Fey she'll be prepping Mind of Menace for at least the near-term.

Brijetta to level 5!
+12 hp
+1 to everything
+1 Str, Dex, Con (no effect, this is a half level), Wisdom

Ancestry feat: Blast Resistance: Sonic resistance 3, plus boost to saves vs. deafness

Gate's threshold: Expand the Path: Gain an impulse feat of my level or lower for one of my elements (or composite), plus a gate junction for one of my elements
-- impulse feat: Magnetic Field
-- gate junction: Critical blast junction (metal): The target takes 1d6 persistent bleed damage; if the creature has the metal trait or is made of metal, it instead takes 1d6 persistent damage with no type from rust. You gain an item bonus to this persistent damage equal to your item bonus to impulse attack rolls, such as from a gate attenuator.

Skill increase: Dwarf Lore to expert

Uhe Investigator 5!
+13 hp
+1 to everything
+1 Str, Dex, Con, Int

Ancestry feat: Sheltering Slab (or Protective Sheath if can Retrain Rock Runner for Clans Edge?)

Skillful Lessons: Intimidating Glare

Skill Increase: Intimidation (E)

Weapon Expertise

FYi, I'm on vacation through Thursday. I may have some changes to post, but I'm not sure. Feel free to bot me (GM or players) if necessary.

Brijetta, level 6!
+12 hp
+1 to everything
Kineticist feat: Molten Wire
Skill feat: Read Lips
Archetype feat: Expert Fireworks Crafter: You're particularly adept at crafting fireworks, allowing you to create much more powerful fireworks than you otherwise could. Your advanced alchemy level for fireworks increases to your level – 3.

Mal to 6!
+12 hp
+1 to everything
Advanced Elemental Spell (more order magic)
Continual Recovery
Vicious Swing (via Fighter)

Gig to 6:

+12 HP
+1 to everything
Esoteric Polymath (Gets a spellbook and can learn spells and swap up repertoire.)
Weapon Infusion
Intimidating Glare

Uhe Investigator 6
+13 hp
+1 to everything

Additional Lore (Court of Ether ) (6th; Archeologist)
Catfall (6th; Skill)

Alchemical Discoveries (6th; Investigator)

Settlement Scholastics (6th; Archeologist) (Court of Ether)

Formulas
9. Soothing Tonic
9. Serene Mutagen

Uhe

Investigator 7
+12 hp
+1 to everything

Vigilant senses
Weapon Specialization

Skill increase
Thievery (M)+16

Streetwise (7th; Skillful Lesson)

General Feat
Fleet (7th)

Formulas
10. ?
11. ?

Gig Level 7

Expert Spellcaster
Incredible Initiative

Spells
4th: Illusory Disguise, Fly

Performance -> Master

Brijetta, level 7!
+1 to everything
+12 hp (to 96, but then to 103 with Toughness)

General feat: Toughness: Your body can withstand more punishment than most before succumbing. Increase your maximum Hit Points by your level. You reduce the DC of recovery checks by 1.

kinetic durability: The sustenance of your inner gate counters harm that would come to your body. Your proficiency rank for Fortitude saves increases to master. When you roll a success on a Fortitude save, you get a critical success instead.

kinetic expertise: Your kinetic gate grows stronger, making your elements harder to resist. The power flowing from you is even harder to resist. Your proficiency rank for your kineticist class DC increases to expert.

skill increase: Crafting to master

New fun (definitely not duegar) formula!

Infiltrators Elixir
Capsaicin Elixir