GM Chadius presents Star Crossed duology 1-09 and 1-23 (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

Caitlin considers using the summoning pool, but she realizes they need some kind of summoning reagent that must be thrown into the pool to activate the portal between worlds.

Scratch, Isaku, and Salaish look through the hidden passageway, based on Seoni's request. Isaku is the first to notice a hidden compartment based on a thin stone layer. He slides it aside to find a rune-graven silver flask.

"Find somethin' good Isaku? Someone's booze stash?!?"

Nature DC20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Its on the tip of his tongue..

arcana: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Unfortunately not. That is the summoning reagent

"Sweet! Scratch, you can try to tan any hide we get here, okay? But first, who thinks we should summon the creature, and who thinks we should just hang onto the reagent and hope there isn't a backup somewhere?"

"Well, until I know just how summoning this mephit... its like one of the angry ones in the other room right?, works, then I can't in good Vigilant Seal form give the thumbs up. If Cait, or someone else that's in the know on how that stuff works then maybe I'll change my stance on it. Til then though maybe its just best we hold that flask of reagent so nothing else uses it."

Need more information... bust out some skill checks.. could be an ally, could be an enemy we've gotta defeat.

I tend to agree. Summoning doesn't equate to control, in my opinion that is. But, as Scratch said, if someone who does know about these things thinks it's okay, then sure. Could be a nasty surprise for Ol' Lodestone

"Hmm. Yeah. Would we need to be able to speak its language to control it? I overheard someone talking about that at the Lodge, but didn't catch the whole conversation. What language would it even speak?" Salaish tries to remember if such information was part of Society training.

Pathfinder Lore, Occultism, or Society +8: Would she have learned what language is spoken by various elemental creatures, such as mephits, from any of these sources?

Salaish knows these creatures will speak languages native to the planes of Earth and Metal.

The Mephits would know how to speak Petran (formerly known as Terran) and Talican.

Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

You decide to hold onto the silver flask and leave the pool alone for now.

This rectangular room contains almost no furniture, though the walls and ceiling are carved with depictions of numerous constellations and star maps.

Three more creatures clad in steel read the walls for signs, a symbol, anything of value. They haven't noticed you yet.

Luna starts drawing the depictions.

Salaish gives her an incredulous look, peeks around to see if anything else is coming to ambush them, and silently gives the party a countdown with her fingers.

She'll start singing for Inspire Courage once the party's ready. If they indicate they'd rather not fight now, she won't.

Three more creatures clad in steel read the walls for signs, a symbol, anything of value. They haven't noticed you yet.

any symbols, insignias, heraldry?

Society: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Scratch has spent a far bit of time in Mwangii but doesn't have any skills that are focused on that.

The old Dwarf slams on the brakes as he rounds a corner, pointing into the room, then back at the group, holding up three fingers. He shushes the others and creeps down past the doorway to check the other end of the hallway, and to hide. If all looks clear he'll send a thumbs up towards the others.

Scratch takes a quick look around. Besides the three mephits and the star map, he doesn't see anything interesting. He finds a place to hide.

Seoni scans the wall, but she doesn't see anything besides constellations. The mephits seem quite distracted.

Fight them? Sneak past? Go back?

Seoni readies herself for battle.

You get into position. Salaish finishes her count and prepares to perform.

Move your tokens to wherever you want to start the ambush. You can start anywhere outside the room. This is a free action you can do before Round 1.

Round 1
Scratch
Salaish
Red
Blue
Caitlin
Seoni
Gray
Luna
Isaku

>Map<

Scratch sneaks up to the corner of the hallway for line of sight into the room. He once he hears the inspiring song of Salaish ringing in his hairy ears its on. "Time ta go ya bunch of summoned squatters!" He hauls out his arquebus, setting his crosshairs on red.

BOOM!

+1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback, Inspire: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 1 = 29 Damage (P/B): 2d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 + 1 = 14
Replace Damage with Fatal Damage if a Crit, then x2 (P/B): 2d12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3, 10) + 2 + 1 = 16Extra Fatal Dice Damage (P/B): 1d12 ⇒ 3
One Shot, One Kill (Precision): First Strike, Stealth for Initiative: 1d6 ⇒ 2

So 16 damage or 39 on a crit.

He hustles around the corner before quickly ducking to hide and reload.

Strike Red, Stride, Covered Reload: Hide

Token moved.

Salaish's singing starts the show. She steps out into view and belts out a tune to taunt the mephits.

To the tune of "I Fought the Law" by the Bobby Fuller Four

"You're drawin' pictures in the hot sun
You fought the law and the law won
You fought the law and the law won
You needed money 'cause you had none (ahh)
You fought the law and the law won
You fought the law and the law won
You left your home base 'cause you're so bad (ahh)
I guess your race is run (ahh)
But we're the best foes you ever had (ahh)
You fought the law and the law won (ahh)
You fought the law and the law won (ahh)
Robbin' people with a six-gun--" Here she pauses as Scratch's shot rockets into the room with a perfectly-timed percussive blast.
"You fought the law and the law won
You fought the law and the law won!"

Lingering Compostion (Performance DC 22): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Success. Inspire Courage lasts 3 rounds.

The echoes of her final note are still reverberating throughout the chamber as she shouts (in Common, unfortunately): "You'll be pummeled into dust within seconds, you pathetic little weaklings!" Come onnn. Get big and come at us one at a time. Please! She really doesn't want any more of her companions going down again.

Demoralize: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

◆ Step, ◇ Lingering Composition, ◆ Cast a spell, ◆ Demoralize

Luna is trying hard not to laugh.

You do realise there's a note in my file, warning that I can be the embodiment of Chaos? she grins to Salaish.

Salaish gets the party started with some courageous anthems. She shouts at the Red tinted mephit but it doesn't seem to react.

So Scratch gives it something to react to: A critical shot before it can be on guard. It screeches before a spurt of growth makes it huge and it begins moving towards the hallway.

The Blue Mephit tries something else and digs underground, bursting forth right in front of Salaish and punching her square in the jaw.
Fist: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Bludgeoning: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8

Move your tokens to wherever you want to start the ambush. You can start anywhere outside the room. This is a free action you can do before Round 1.

Round 1 (Inspire Courage)
Red (39 damage)
Blue
Caitlin
Seoni
Gray
Luna
Isaku

Round 2
Scratch
Salaish (Lingering Composition (Inspire Courage) until round 4, 8 damage)

>Map<

If someone wants to bot Caitlin, go right ahead. Otherwise I'll have her delay for a bit.

Caitlin ◆ Hunts Blue as Prey, ◆ Steps up to it and ◆ stabs Dancer's Spear: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 192d6 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (1, 5) + 2 + (5) = 13

"Just keep me standing!"

Seoni calls for a fiery sphere to that fills up the space of the red foe which Scratch just shot. She them summons a defensive magic Shield to protect herself.

◆◆Flaming Sphere, Inspire: 3d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) + 1 = 14 DC21 Reflex Save
◆ Shield

Caitlin sees a target, but the Mephit is too quick

Move your tokens to wherever you want to start the ambush. You can start anywhere outside the room. This is a free action you can do before Round 1.

Red Reflex: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 1 = 16
The Red Steel Mephit yowls at the flaming sphere as the ball burns its feet.

The Gray Mephit wastes little time burrowing underground and emerging in the hallway.

Round 1 (Inspire Courage)
Red (Clumsy 1, Growthed, 53 damage)
Blue
Caitlin (Hunt Prey: Blue)
Seoni (Shield)
Gray
Luna
Isaku

Round 2
Scratch
Salaish (Lingering Composition (Inspire Courage) until round 4, 8 damage)

>Map<

Round 2 post:

"Not today, ninny!" Salaish takes a step back and shoots an Electric Arc at the blue mephit, which arcs around to hit red as well.

Electric damage on Blue and Red: 3d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) + 4 + 1 = 13
DC 22 reflex save. Includes Inspire Courage damage bonus.

◆ Step, ◆◆ Cast a spell

Pistol in hand, Isaku moves up and positions himself behind Seoni. He attempts to get an angle on Blue, while attempting to determine what it is.

Devise, CA: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Discarding that strategy, he shoots Gray instead.

+1 Striking Dueling Pistol, 60' range, Reload 1, CA: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 1 = 33 for Concussive Damage, CA: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 1 = 8

◆ Stride
◆ Devise
◇ RK
◆ BOOM!

Luna steps five feet and hurls her Starknife at Blue before conjuring up a Shield.
starknife: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 slashing: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 1 = 9

Luna's starknife scratches against the wall as Isaku realizes shooting the Blue Mephit would be a disaster. So he critically shooting the gray creature.

Isaku is certain these are the same types of Steel Mephits he fought when they entered the observatory. They like to Grow and Enlarge themselves. They can burrow underground and fly clumsily. They can also breathe shards of scrap to cause rapid bleeding.

Salaish retreats and blasts two of the mephits. They are not ready and get a critical shock to their systems. The Red Mephit is looking especially weak and near collapse.

Blue Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Red Reflex: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 = 6

Scratch sees it's his chance.

Round 2 (Inspire Courage)
Scratch
Salaish (Lingering Composition (Inspire Courage) until round 4, 8 damage)
Red (Clumsy 1, Growthed, 79 damage)
Blue (26 damage)
Caitlin (Hunt Prey: Blue)
Seoni (Shield)
Gray (34 damage)
Luna (Shield)
Isaku

>Map<

"Well shoot, I forgot they liked to burrow.." Scratch mutters out loud. Figuring its his turn to take a hit, he unloads his rifle the fastest way he knows how just so he can reload it again and double down against the grey mephit.

BOOOM!

+1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback, IC: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 17 + 1 = 38
Damage (P/B): 2d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8, 5) + 2 + 1 = 16

Replace Damage with Fatal Damage if a Crit, then x2 (P/B): 2d12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6, 11) + 2 + 1 = 20
Extra Fatal Dice Damage (P/B): 1d12 ⇒ 3 43!

Covered Reload: AC26, not sure if it applies vs Gray?

BOOOM!

+1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback, IC: 1d20 + 17 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 1 - 5 = 29
Damage (P/B): 2d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 2 + 1 = 13

Replace Damage with Fatal Damage if a Crit, then x2 (P/B): 2d12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8, 3) + 2 + 1 = 14
Extra Fatal Dice Damage (P/B): 1d12 ⇒ 1

13 or 29

Scratch sees his chance and he takes it, obliterating the gray mephit with two good shots.

The Blue mephit breathes deeply before spitting metal shards upon Caitlin, Luna, Seoni, and Salaish. It then runs back towards Scratch.

The shards deal 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) = 6 slashing damage.

Growing to massive size was a terrible idea. The Red tinted mephit dispels the magic and returns to normal size before lurching out of the hallway and punching Caitlin.

Fist: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Bludgeoning: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1) + 5 = 9

Round 2 (Inspire Courage)
Red (79 damage)
Blue (26 damage)
Caitlin (Hunt Prey: Blue, 9 damage) (Reflex Save)
Seoni (Shield) (Reflex Save)
Luna (Shield) (Reflex Save)
Isaku

Round 3 (Inspire Courage)
Scratch
Salaish (Lingering Composition (Inspire Courage) until round 4, 8 damage) (Reflex Save)

Caitlin, Luna, Seoni, and Salaish: Make a DC 19 Basic Reflex Save against 6 slashing damage. Failure means you also take 1d6 persistent bleed damage.

>Map<

reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
((Hero Point))
reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Luna throws her starknife twice at Red before raising a shield.
starknife: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 slashing: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 1 = 5
starknife: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 slashing: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 1 = 5

Knowing bullets are cheap and spells are valuable, Scratch quickly reloads and fires at the blue mephit "No time for a race, just lay down already." He pulls the trigger.

BOOOM!

+1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback, IC: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 1 = 21
Damage (P/B): 2d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8, 1) + 2 + 1 = 12

Reload, Strike Blue, Covered Reload: AC26, not sure if it applies vs Blue?

Reflex save (DC 19): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Success for 3 damage

Dodging out of the way of the majority of the shards, Salaish gives herself a mental dressing down about bunching up when fighting a foe that she *knows* has a breath weapon. She answers with another Electric Arc, then dances away.

Electric Arc vs. Red and Blue: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4, 1) + 4 = 11
DC 22 reflex save

◆◆ Cast a spell, ◆ Stride

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Nimbly dodging the shards, Caitlin rapidly stabs at blue.

◆ Dancer's spear: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 242d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1) + 2 = 8
◆ Dancer's spear, MAP: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 112d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 2 = 12
Precision if either hit: 1d8 ⇒ 7

◆ Dancer's spear, big MAP: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 72d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 = 8

Luna's starknife continues to catch air as Scratch reloads and shoots the Blue Mephit.

Salaish takes a step back and unleashes a bolt of lightning, melting one mephit into a Red pile of slag.
Red: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 1 = 13
Blue: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 1 = 19

Caitlin dodges the shards entirely, but her target is gone.
Caitlin, your target is dead. What do you want to do? We'll keep your die rolls.

Round 2 (Inspire Courage)
Blue (49 damage)
Caitlin (Hunt Prey: Blue, 9 damage)
Seoni (Shield) (Reflex Save)
Luna (Shield) (3 Damage)
Isaku

Round 3 (Inspire Courage)
Scratch
Salaish (Lingering Composition (Inspire Courage) until round 4, 11 damage)

Seoni: Make a DC 19 Basic Reflex Save against 6 slashing damage. Failure means you also take 1d6 persistent bleed damage.

>Map<

"Nicely done, Scratch!" Isaku calls.

Isaku reloads and again tries to get an angle on Blue.

Devise: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Abandoning that idea, he moves closer, hoping things improve.

◆ Reload
◆ Devise
◆ Stride

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Seoni fires a ray of frost from her fingers and strikes at Blue. She then casts a defensive Shield cantrip.

◆◆Spell Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 Cold: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 3) = 12
◆Shield

Caitlin's first action was to chase blue.

Blue Recharge: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Caitlin impales her prey once. Seoni helps with a blast of intense cold. Isaku wishes he could finish it off right now but his aim is terrible.

The mephit continues to attack Caitlin.
Fist: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Fist: 1d20 + 13 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 13 - 5 = 27
Bludgeoning: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 5) + 5 = 18

Round 3 (Inspire Courage)
Blue (Recharge 3 rounds, 76 damage)
Caitlin (Hunt Prey: Blue, 27 damage)
Seoni (Shield) (3 Damage)
Luna (Shield) (3 Damage)
Isaku

Round 4 (Inspire Courage)
Scratch
Salaish (Lingering Composition (Inspire Courage) until round 4, 11 damage)

>Map<

Luna moves up to get the last one in range.

throws the Starknife at it,
starknife: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 slashing: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 1 = 7

before raising shield.

Luna's starknife finally finds it mark, and the mephit collapses into shards of steel.

Combat Over
Caitlin (27 damage)
Seoni (3 Damage)
Luna (3 Damage)
Salaish (11 damage)

Lumki emerges from behind the wall. "Er... it's over?"

"Hardly even started. We've still got the main event at least to go." Scratch hoots, a bit excitedly as he bends down to check out the remains of the blue mephit "Ooo never can have too much scrap steel for shot.." He scrounges up a few choice bits before wiping soot under his eyes and around his cheeks to break up the skin pattern.

He creeps around the nearby area and double checks for threats while the group patches up injuries. Just where we've just fought, but not in the room the mephits were in until people are ready.

Luna follows Scratch, trusting in her Aeon stone to take care of the healing while Flutterbat flies point.

"Whew! That went better than last time, thank goodness. Caitlin, you deserve a medal of honor for all the injury you've saved the rest of us!" Salaish takes ten minutes to refocus, composing a tune to commemorate the group's adventure.

"Thanks Salaish. I'm glad I brought my new spear. I've been relying on my longbow up 'til now. I still need patching up though."

I have healing potions if that is helpful Luna says.

Seoni casts Soothe on Caitlin. healing: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Isaku heads over to Caitlin and patches her up.

Treat Wounds, Risky Surgery, DC 20, Assurance: 4d8 - 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 1, 7, 6) - (4) + 10 = 27

If you can retcon it, can you we just pretend Seoni's Soothe never happened?

He then turns to Salaish and patches her up as well.
With Assurance at DC 20, Isaku can heal a minimum of 12 hp so I'm not even going to bother rolling :)