GMDQ's Forces of Nature (Inactive)

Game Master DeathQuaker

Correction: Add 4. I thought I had purchased a +5 Mithral Buckler, but I was wrong.

"Protect the nerds!" Trer shouts! Fortunately, Trer is very accomplished at climbing. Unfortunately, climbing rules state that you need both hands free, and Trer simply doesn't have that kind of time. Instead, she full attacks the wall in front of Lazur.

Iterative 1: 1d20 + 39 ⇒ (11) + 39 = 50 Hit: 4d6 + 38 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 4) + 38 = 49
Hasted attack: 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (5) + 34 = 39 Hit: 4d6 + 38 ⇒ (4, 5, 5, 6) + 38 = 58
Iterative 2: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (20) + 29 = 49 Hit: 4d6 + 38 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 6) + 38 = 56
Iterative 3: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (18) + 25 = 43 Hit: 4d6 + 38 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 1) + 38 = 43
Iterative 4: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23 Hit: 4d6 + 38 ⇒ (1, 6, 3, 6) + 38 = 54

That destroys the 2 squares in front of Lazur. Assuming that he delayed since I was in the way, and we're right next to each other in initiative. He's large, but the squeezing rules says he should be able to fit through that gap perfectly fine. Being a barbarian is fun! If you think that's not a valid turn, I'll activate my magic flight boots as a standard, and move over, but this seemed more in character.

Also! We should add that Knowys and myself are affected by a shield other spell, in the direction where I take damage, and he doesn't.

Upon looking it up, you can't attack walls. You have to use the sunder combat manuever, which can only be used as part of the attack action, not a full attack. So I'll be boring, activate my boots, and fly out. Boo.

Was that an SLA or spell he cast? If so I get an attack of opportunity as I have a 15 foot reach. Just in cast I'll roll one and decide what I am going to do based on that.

[dice=+5 Inspired Mithral Rapier PA AoO]1d20+21-4+1 [dice=Damage]1d8+10+8

There is a wall in front of you (the natural cave wall) that would prevent you from being able to attack him with reach from your position. I can't find the reference map and don't have a lot of time at the moment to look, but I'm certain of this: attacks, including reach attacks, cannot cut around corners, especially since you could barely even see him from where you are standing. I don't believe long arms is exceptional in that regard. (OTOH, you would have partial cover from him if the wall of stone were not there).

Trer, flying out is valid, sorry for the disappointment there.

Oh botheration, this is getting out of hand and taking up just far too much time. She looks over at the remaining Oreads, How many more of these things can we expect?

With that she unleashes a second blast of electricity into the three closest enemies.

Defensively casting chain lightning on the three Vault Keepers in the cave with us. I cannot fail the check.

SR 1, IS, GSP: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 1 + 4 = 35 pass
SR 2, IS, GSP: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 16 + 1 + 4 = 22 fail
SR 3, IS, GSP: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 1 + 4 = 24 fail

Reflex save DC30: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24 fail

Damage: 17d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 2, 3, 1, 4, 6, 5, 2, 5, 6, 3, 2, 1, 6, 6) = 61

She then floats backwards a bit.

Lazur flys out behind Trer and the attacks one of the vault keepers (6).

+5 Inspired Mithral Rapier PA : 1d20 + 21 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 21 - 4 + 1 = 28 Damage: 1d8 + 10 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 8 = 26

Seeing that Krowys had a good idea, Ariston casts stormbolts on the three newly arrived xiomorns, overcoming their natural resistance to magic and zapping them well, though even the two who fail to dodge the blasts at all remain mobile. Immune to stun. Mirabelle follows suit with another blast of chain lightning. She asks the oreads how many more might show up, and one replies, wincing reflexively as lightning arcs around the room, in Terran, "We didn't stop to count!"

Krowys then summons power from his pact with Axis and encases one of the xiomorns in an ice tomb. Krowys, not sure what the "Add 4" is in reference to.

Lazur and Trer fly over the open side of the stone box the xiomorn tried to put them in (Technically allies can move through each others' squares so I don't think the initiative order needs to change.) Trer used more time to activate her boots, but Lazur has enough movement to jab at another xiomorn.

The oreads say,

The two move carefully back and pick up one of the crates, eying the two xiomorns near the portal, and swallow nervously.

The fourth xiomorn is stuck in an ice tomb.

The room shakes as the fifth xiomorn decides it's time for drastic measures. It lifts all four of its "hands" and the minerals in the walls, floor, and ceiling pull themselves, organizing themselves into a massive crystalline blob that then explodes, sending sharp, glassy shards into every creature in the room--even itself and its own allies (only the third is out of the way. This is a supernatural ability

Piercing and slashing damage, Reflex save for half: 12d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6, 2, 3, 3, 1, 5, 3, 2, 6, 5) = 41

Ariston Reflex DC 25, hasted,: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 = 35 -> Save (20 damage)
Mirabelle Reflex DC 25, hasted, heroism: 1d20 + 18 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 18 + 1 + 2 = 41 Save (20 damage)
Krowys Reflex DC 25, hasted: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 1 = 21 Fail (41 damage)
Liber Reflex DC 25, hasted: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 1 = 29 Save (20 damage)
Lazur Reflex DC 25, hasted: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 18 + 1 = 38 Save (20 damage)
Trer Reflex DC 25, hasted: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 = 18 Fail (41 damage)
Oread 1 Reflex DC 25: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 Fail, dead
Oread 2 Reflex DC 25: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Fail, dead
Xiomorn 5 Reflex DC 25: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23 Fail, 31 damage (DR)
Xiomorn 6 Reflex DC 25: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29 Save 10 damage (DR)

Have I missed anyone with DR? It should apply since it's slashing/piercing

The poor oreads are reduced to a fine mist. The fifth xiomorn gives off a crystalline sound that seems like a victory cry.

The box they were carrying falls to the ground, and crystals pierce the box and nearly destroy it, but it takes the brunt of the damage rather than the creature inside it. You can see in the remains a creature that strongly resembles Liber

Krowys, can the ice tomb take AOE damage? I would normally interpret that it could, just as AOE stuff tends to harm things in the area, but as we have also reminded ourselves harming objects requires a sunder check, I'm not sure.

Xiomorn 6, should it remain standing, flails all four clawed arms at the Mighty Trer.

Claw Attack 1 vs Trer: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29
Claw Attack 2 vs Trer: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (19) + 24 = 43
Claw Attack 3 vs Trer: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (3) + 24 = 27
Claw Attack 4 vs Trer: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (13) + 24 = 37

Second claw attack is critical threat, confirm: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (3) + 24 = 27

It hits twice, but Trer keeps her guard up enough to prevent a near strike to her vitals.

Claw Damage 1: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 = 10
Claw Damage 2: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 = 11

Trer DC 25 Fortitude Save Versus Crystallization 1: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28
Trer DC 25 Fortitude Save Versus Crystallization 2: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34

She can feel the minerals that the creatures manipulate enter her bloodstream, and she momentarily stiffens, but a few little rocks are no match for the Mighty Trer.

Finally, xiomorn 3, still standing in the tunnel, begins a process of waving its arms and doing something probably spell-like.

summoning: 1d3 ⇒ 1 Huge earth elementals, but that's a full round action, so.

It should be noted however most of you can't see what it's doing as the stone wall is blocking your line of sight to it but I'm not going to be coy

If I missed anything, I am very sorry. This is a lot to track.

Combat Round 3
End of round 2Ariston: HP 85/105 | TEMP AC 35/34 (T18 FF30) | CMD 27/23 CMB +13 | Fort +15 Ref +15 Will +23 (+2 vs charm/compulsion) | Resist: Acid/Cold/Electricity 5 | Ring of Force Shield, Shield of Faith, Fly, resist fire 30 resist acid 20 (from mass planar adaptation)
Beginning of round 3[/ooc]Mirabelle: hp 160/172| | AC 25/24 (T16 FF19) | CMD 20 | Fort +19 Ref +18 Will +22 (+3 vs mind affecting) | [i]Mind Blank, Freedom of Movement, invisibility, 8 mirror images, life bubble, overland flight, darkvision, mage armor, ant haul, false life, greater shapechanger's gift, echolocation, heroism, resist fire 30, resist acid 20 (from mass planar adaptation)haste
Slag the Custodian
Krowys: hp 82/123 | AC 32/31 (T20 FF26) | CMD 27 | Fort +12 Ref +15 Will +15 (+2 v. Poison & Mind-Affecting) | Resist 5 Electricity | Resist Fire 30, resist acid 20 (from mass planar adaptation), overland flight, haste, concealed from crystalline dust
... and Liber: hp 60/60 | AC 20 T15 FF 17 | Fort +12 Ref +15 Will +15 | SR 22
Lazur Anil: hp 136/156 | AC 32/31 (T19 FF27) | CMD 34 | Fort +13 Ref +18 Will +15 (+1 versus enchantments; roll twice vs mind-affecting) | Immunities: Illusions that allow a save | displacement, freedom of movement, life bubble, resist fire 30, resist acid 20 (from mass planar adaptation)haste
The Mighty Trer: HP:118/195 |AC:36/35 T:19 FF:26 (+1 if opp is bigger)|CMD:45 CMB:26|Fort:21 Ref:14 Will:11 (+3 will when rg, +2 vs enchantment) | life bubble, ant haul, enlarge person, resist fire 30, haste, resist acid 20 (from mass planar adaptation), haste RAGING
Vault Keeper 3 hp 200/200 | AC 28 T19 FF19 fast healing 5 DR 10/adamantine AND bludgeoning| Fort +12 Ref +18 Will +14| SR 25, elementals: Immune to bleed, paralysis, poison, sleep, and stunning; not subject to critical hits, precision damage/sneak attack, or flanking
Vault Keeper 4 hp 41/200 | AC 28 T19 FF19 fast healing 5 DR 10/adamantine AND bludgeoning| Fort +12 Ref +18 Will +14| SR 25, elementals: Immune to bleed, paralysis, poison, sleep, and stunning; not subject to critical hits, precision damage/sneak attack, or flanking, unconscious and held inside 20 hp ice tomb, will be staggered upon release
Vault Keeper 5 hp 87/200 | AC 28 T19 FF19 fast healing 5 DR 10/adamantine AND bludgeoning| Fort +12 Ref +18 Will +14| SR 25, elementals: Immune to bleed, paralysis, poison, sleep, and stunning; not subject to critical hits, precision damage/sneak attack, or flanking
Vault Keeper 6 hp 123/200 | AC 28 T19 FF19 fast healing 5 DR 10/adamantine AND bludgeoning| Fort +12 Ref +18 Will +14| SR 25, elementals: Immune to bleed, paralysis, poison, sleep, and stunning; not subject to critical hits, precision damage/sneak attack, or flanking

You can cast a spell with somatic components using your shield arm, but you lose the buckler’s Armor Class bonus until your next turn

Every time I do something that doesn't require a Somatic component, my AC and Flat-flooted AC increase by 4 due to the buckler. Hexes, aside from my three spell-hexes, have no somatic component. I don't think you can target the Ice Tomb with AoE, since you need to Sunder the walls, but that's ultimately up to you. Liber's HP needs to be updated (regeration 2 unless she gets hit by a Protean). Would the spot next to the Lazur and Trer work for getting line-of-sight to the summoning creature?

I'll update with my response within a few hours.

Round 2

The senselessness of the enemy’s violence – blasting oreads – angers the cleric. Ariston wants vengeance but that will have to wait… He calls on Varan, releasing two waves of healing energy that flow across everyone in the room while selectively weaving around the xiomorns.

MOVE: Quick Channel Positive Energy (excluding baddies)
STAND: Channel Positive Energy (excluding baddies)
SWIFT: Quickened Bit o' Luck (on myself) - lasts until after I go in Round 3

Heroes get 47 HP back.

I got DR/10. But I've got a whole heap of temp HP. But I also take half of Knowys damage. But I have DR. So Trer takes 41-10+20-10 from the spell, and 1 from the claws. Which doesn't penetrate through my temp HP barrier! 9 temp HP left. Turn to follow later! But I should have a bit more HP, and Knowys too! No worries about missing this stuff, there's so many moving parts.

As the shards of the blob of glassy minerals impacts him, Krowys merely looks at another Vault Keeper, extremely unnervingly, #6, his eyes emanating symbols and dust as he does so Evil Eye Hex. "Let me help you out in return, Trer." Dust continues to swirl around him as he continues staring at the Vault Keeper More Crystalline Dust, 20% miss chance. He keeps his buckler raised and his wits about him as he does this. +4 to AC . Betwen the ring of Shield Other from Trer, and the positive energy granted to him by Ariston's channeling, he doesn't exactly seem bothered by the crystals sticking out of his flesh, armor, and buckler.

DC 26 Will: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34
On a passed save, it only lasts for 1 round, but I'm chosing Attack Rolls for this one. The penalty is -4 since we're above 8th level.

Liber visibly winces as the shards impact both her and the box the other Arbiter is hiding in. She tries her best to look reassuring as she picks the bits of remaining crystals off from her body. Liber notices the swirl of symbols coming from Krowys, before looking at the remains of the box and responding to the fellow Arbiter "The two closest to the portal should have a tougher time landing hits. I hope that helps."

20% miss chance should anyone attack him, and +4 to AC and Flat-footed AC.

Trer, apologies, I think I both pasted a different combatant's hp status into your statblock AND reversed your temp HP (I had down 15 rather than 51) in my offline tracker. This said, earlier on in the fight with the keketar, you took damage, including damage before raging, i.e. before any temp hp could absorb damage. I think you had healed some, but not all, of that, and I had you at 165 current HP at the start of this fight. As you started raging before this fight started, you then get those 51 temp HP, but that doesn't remove the HP you were down from before (but not what I have on the combat summary).

I'm not following your math from there... the crystalline burst did 41 damage, -10 is 31. So that's 20 hp left. The claw attack did 1 more point of damage so you should still have 19 (not 9) temp hp. Is that right? So your current HP (before Ariston heals everyone) as best as I should tell was 19 temp, 165/195 current. With Ariston's heal, you're now back to full. Does that sound right? If you take further damage please note it in your microstatblock so we can stay on the same page.

Also speaking of hp tracking errors, I forgot to heal the xiomorns' fast heal 5 so they are all 5 hp up from what was listed (not much, but still relevant).

Absolutely! Sorry for the confusion, I'll keep things updated. The math confusion is that I also take some damage for Knowys. 20 points to be precise. And then I take 10 off of that.

Trer, finding herself starting a turn in a target rich environment, and
being flying allowing her to take a 5ft flight over the rocks, decides to full attack instead of a single big hit. She starts her barrage on 6, and moves over to 4 as 6 falls.

Enlarged raging power accurate Attack 1: 1d20 + 39 ⇒ (2) + 39 = 41 Hit DR accounted for: 6d6 + 38 - 10 ⇒ (1, 5, 1, 3, 3, 3) + 38 - 10 = 44
Haste: 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (16) + 34 = 50 Miss
Attack 2: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (1) + 29 = 30 Hit: 6d6 + 38 - 10 ⇒ (4, 2, 5, 3, 3, 1) + 38 - 10 = 46
Attack 3: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (16) + 24 = 40 Hit: 6d6 + 38 - 10 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 4, 3, 1) + 38 - 10 = 45
Moving on to 4 here
Attack 4: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31 Hit: 6d6 + 38 - 10 ⇒ (6, 5, 1, 5, 3, 2) + 38 - 10 = 50

Final report: 135 to 6, 50 to 4. I'll let other people step on their heads so they don't heal back up to being active again.

"Raaaghh! Nobody puts Trer in a corner!"

This is becoming tiresome Mira mutters as she casts a spell and unleashes a further arcing blast of electrical energy into the three closest Keepers.

Defensively casting empowered chain lightning again, DC31

SR4, IS, GSP: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 1 + 4 = 35, success
SR5, IS, GSP: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 1 + 4 = 25, success
SR6, IS, GSP: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 1 + 4 = 35, success

Damage: 17d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 3, 5, 6, 1, 3, 1, 1, 2, 5, 5, 6, 6, 2, 2, 5) = 65 *1.5 for 97 electrical damage

Reflex, 4: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33, pass
Reflex, 5: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28, fail
Reflex, 6: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19, fail

Just realized Lazur never took his turn. Lazur, you here? Do you want to act?

Ariston heals everyone, Mirabelle zaps the three xiomorns in the room, and the Mighty Trer finishes them off. Meanwhile the Custodian goes and tries to hide in a gap between the wall and the Wellspring.

The three xiomorns in the room with you all collapse to the ground. Technically they are all unconscious as they are on their home plane, but I'm just removing them from the combat summary and the board as it's easier

A massive creature of earth and stone emerges from the floor (Summoning finished from last round), so huge it seems to merge with or simply like it's coming out of and going into the floor and ceiling. The stone wall disappears as the final xiomorn dismisses it and retreats down the hallway to the "east." As it moves away you hear/feel a voice images and feelings in your mind that amount to this message:

/"Perhaps you've defeated these few, but we are legion. Surrender the rest of the shaitans' interlopers, or we will come to your world and build our next vault there."/

It's out of your immediate sight but is presumably close enough to receive your response. The earth elemental is far beneath the usual threats you can handle...

But it serves to stall as it awaits your answer. The earth elemental attacks the nearest creature whose feet are on the ground, which I believe is Trer.

Slam 1, Earth Mastery: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 17 + 1 = 30
Slam 2, Earth Mastery: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 17 + 1 = 37

Damage, Earth Mastery, Trer's DR: 2d8 + 9 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (2, 7) + 9 + 1 - 10 = 9 Just enough to cut through the temp HP

Combat Round 4
End of round 3
Ariston: HP 105/105 | TEMP AC 35/34 (T18 FF30) | CMD 27/23 CMB +13 | Fort +15 Ref +15 Will +23 (+2 vs charm/compulsion) | Resist: Acid/Cold/Electricity 5 | Ring of Force Shield, Shield of Faith, Fly, resist fire 30 resist acid 20 (from mass planar adaptation)
Beginning of round 4
Mirabelle: hp 172/172| | AC 25/24 (T16 FF19) | CMD 20 | Fort +19 Ref +18 Will +22 (+3 vs mind affecting) | Mind Blank, Freedom of Movement, invisibility, 8 mirror images, life bubble, overland flight, darkvision, mage armor, ant haul, false life, greater shapechanger's gift, echolocation, heroism, resist fire 30, resist acid 20 (from mass planar adaptation)haste
Slag the Custodian
Krowys: hp 123/123 | AC 32/31 (T20 FF26) | CMD 27 | Fort +12 Ref +15 Will +15 (+2 v. Poison & Mind-Affecting) | Resist 5 Electricity | Resist Fire 30, resist acid 20 (from mass planar adaptation), overland flight, haste, concealed from crystalline dust
... and Liber: hp 60/60 | AC 20 T15 FF 17 | Fort +12 Ref +15 Will +15 | SR 22
Lazur Anil: hp 156/156 | AC 32/31 (T19 FF27) | CMD 34 | Fort +13 Ref +18 Will +15 (+1 versus enchantments; roll twice vs mind-affecting) | Immunities: Illusions that allow a save | displacement, freedom of movement, life bubble, resist fire 30, resist acid 20 (from mass planar adaptation)haste
The Mighty Trer: HP 195/195 |AC:+4 36/35 T:19 FF:26 (+1 if opp is bigger)|CMD:45 CMB:26|Fort:21 Ref:14 Will:11 (+3 will when rg, +2 vs enchantment) | life bubble, ant haul, enlarge person, resist fire 30, haste, resist acid 20 (from mass planar adaptation), haste RAGING, concealed/cover from crystalline dust
Vault Keeper 3 hp 200/200 | AC 28 T19 FF19 fast healing 5 DR 10/adamantine AND bludgeoning| Fort +12 Ref +18 Will +14| SR 25, elemental: Immune to bleed, paralysis, poison, sleep, and stunning; not subject to critical hits, precision damage/sneak attack, or flanking
Summoned huge earth elemental hp 95/95 DR 5/-| AC 19 T7 FF19 CMD 30 | Fort 11 Ref +2 Will +7 | elemental: Immune to bleed, paralysis, poison, sleep, and stunning; not subject to critical hits, precision damage/sneak attack, or flanking

I'm going to ask that folks do try to post roughly in order this once, simply because who does what first may impact what happens and I don't want to confuse things. Lazur still can take his action from the previous turn, so Lazur and Ariston, then Mirabelle, and so on.

Guys, I sincerely apologize if my approach here is an epic fail.

Certain that the team can handle the elemental, Ariston concentrates on the ‘diplomatic’ efforts and addresses the fleeing vault keeper.

The cleric tries to set a tone of velvet glove poorly hiding an iron fist. ”Save your bravado. I have no appetite for intimidation or lies – either giving them or listening to them. Let me speak plainly. As soon as our business here is swiftly concluded, we will leave and not return. Further, the gate to our world will be shut. As for the… uh…’interlopers’, you have killed many, but perhaps not all. I didn’t bother counting them and I wasn’t keeping track of their movements. They are irrelevant to our mission. Will we hand any that have crossed to our world over to you? No. That is against my beliefs. However, I can guarantee they will not return to your territory. We will send them back to your plane far from here, if they choose to return at all. I hope that arrangement is satisfactory. Otherwise, you will be sending more of your people and minions to needless slaughter. Are we agreed?”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34

Mira gestures at the elemental. Begone minion!

Casting dispel at the summon spell.

Caster level: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 16 + 1 = 28

She calls out, I dont know who you are or where you are but we are not interested in your conflict. We just want to collect our energy and then be gone but we aren't just going to give up people to be killed by you.

Diplomacy, Heroism: 1d20 + 30 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 30 + 2 = 34

Mirabelle dispels the summoning, sending the creature back to the earth elemental plane. Which you are in. So it disappears for the moment... but you'll have to see if it stays away.

The telepathic message returns, seething with disdain.

/"I do not care why you are here. You have chosen. You will not return the interlopers to us to be rightfully destroyed. So We will see you again in your prime."/ The presence in your mind disappears as the final xiomorn teleports to some other point it knows on this endless plane.

Combat is ended.

The other oreads fled through the portal. If you want their help getting the crystals off you'll need to fetch them.

The Custodian pokes its head nervously from the Wellspring. It sees the pools of blood and sand where the oreads were decimated by the xiomorn's crystalline burst. Gears whir, and it lifts its limbs in some kind of supplicating gesture. It has a damaged wing that for some reason is not regenerating as it should.

He addresses the room in truespeech. "They were frightened. Fleeing. They stopped to help me. And now their mortality strikes. We-we... I do not comprehend. They called this unit Slag." It pauses. "We-we... I am Slag."

It looks to Liber. "This unit was contracted per Axis Concord 50-11001-001-Mercane. One of 100 to maintain the Wellsprings and Disaster Energy Redistribution Machine until obliviated or sent back to Axis. This one of 100 is now the only operational unit remaining under contract. This one--we... I am Slag, now--we could not complete contract a.. a--," It struggles to find the words, "Alone. Performance contract failure type X-11-3. I. Am. Slag. I. am. alone. I submit this unit for correction."

It approaches and prostrates itself before Krowys and Liber.

As Krowys returns to the ground, the swirl of symbols subsiding as he calms down... Liber looks on with great confusion, how strict was this concord?

"Greetings Slag, I am Liber. Familiar of Krowys, Pact Witch of Axis,..." She pauses briefly. "We are not affiliated with your Concord with Axis, and we have heard... certain things about Mercane from others, in addition. Given your shape differs from Arbiters, both those that are originally as such, and Pact Witch Familiars transformed into inevitables like myself... I take it you were specifically created for this... admittedly very narrow... purpose?"

Krowys and Liber try to come off with at least some modicum of compassion for the Rogue Duodrone Custodian, Axis admittedly wasn't Heaven, but from what little other inevitables they had had contact with, they normally didn't act like this!

Krowys then speaks up, nearly confused as Liber is. "We will have to review this Concord at some point to see what exactly these infractions are, and what the consequences would be, but we hold little direct sway with Axis, beyond a possible reputation as translators. We are in no manner enforcers of Axis's will, beyond the general maintenance and upholding law and order in general." Krowys gulps, feeling pretty much the same sentiment as Liber Is this all of Axis, or just what came out of Mercane's contract? But, regardless of his doubts, he continues, "Your manner of speaking differs from what little contact I have had with inevitables that are not Liber, so can you please elaborate what this... correction is? We have not come across the term before"

If anyone were to look onward, they would look admittedly concerned.

Ariston considers the Vault Keeper’s words. Well, sh*t… I’m gonna get an earful from Orteza for this.

He immediately heads to the gate to fetch the Oreads. They were part of the problem, now they were damn well going to be part of the solution. He stops on the threshold and turns to the team. ”Termites. Those vault keepers remind me of large, angry, termites.” Then he is gone through the portal.

In the Sanctum, Ariston is in no mood to play. ”Oreads, get through this gate NOW. You are going to help clean the crystals off the machine. Consider it a payment for saving your lives.” He looks for any of them that hesitate to follow his directions.

To Mara or any of the sanctum guardians, he offers urgently, ”You need to be ready to shut this gate and lock it, when we tell you. You will never want to use this gate again.”

Oops, forgot about the damaged wings

Upon seeing the damaged, non-regenerating wing, Krowys responds back to the Custodian: "The two of us can attempt to heal your wing, if you want. Are you taking some form of ongoing Chaotic damage that prevents it from regenerating? Or does your specific variation of inevitable not include some form of regeneration?" Upon verbal consent from the Custodian, Krowys will use his Major Healing Hex on Slag the Custodian, which acts as Cure Critical Wounds, and/or Liber can use Make Whole, (the constructed feature of inevitables allows both to work, if I'm not mistaken.)

Turning to Ariston, and then the Oreads, Krowys simply nods "I concur with Ariston." He attempts to shake off the concern for Slag and focus at the task at hand.

"They will come, and they will die," Trer says, taking a seat on the floor and ending her rage. "Wherever they show up, someone will pick me up, and we'll smash them again. Like here." She sighs, feeling the after-effects of her rage. "Or it was just empty threats." Looking over at the crystals, she asks "Want me to hit them off?"

Ariston goes through the portal to see the oreads standing dazed in the corridor as Mara's clockwork guardian blocks them from entering deeper into the sanctum. Upon his admonishment, they file back through into the portal. They ask where Raen and Dor are, only to see their unfortunate fates and look even more ashamed.

They work largely in silence. Their mining picks--adamantine from the looks, and specially designed to do both fine chipping and more broad-scale excavation--allow them to quickly remove the crystalline growths that have covered the Wellspring's spout, and one of you can move to fill the sphere as fast as you can.

As they finish and you begin to get the elemental primordium fuel, the one that spoke for them before addresses you, "I am Kalak, and I speak for what is left of this Explorer Team. You faced the Vault Keepers and I know that you risked much to protect us, only for showing up at a bad time. We are skilled in excavation--and rebuilding. We felt the quakes in your realm, and if you would allow us to stay there, we will stay and help clear rubble and rebuild for as long as you would allow us. We have not your godlike strength nor mystic might, but we would pledge what little we have to repair your realm if you would let us."

Meanwhile...

Slag continues to speak with Krowys and the others.

"We- I- the Custodians are many who work as one. Purpose: to maintain the works made by the Magister-Engineers of Axis. Many minds as one must work to sustain Axiomatic Machinery in other realms. We-we- I are-am not designed to work alone. But the rest of this Custodian collective is gone. Terminated. Returned to the Sacred Manufactory. I am. I am alone. And alone, we... I cannot complete our purpose, to fuel the Machine. As I have failed, this form will not heal itself."

Your healing hexes seem to suffice, however, to allow it to be restored. It flexes its wing as it heals, and looks at you with some wonder.

"We-I concluded the Aphorite-Arbiter unit came to punish us-me. Correct me. This conclusion is false?"

As they finish and you begin to get the elemental primordium fuel, the one that spoke for them before addresses you, "We are skilled in excavation--and rebuilding. We felt the quakes in your realm, and if you would allow us to stay there, we will stay and help clear rubble and rebuild for as long as you would allow us. We have not your godlike strength nor mystic might, but we would pledge what little we have to repair your realm if you would let us."

Ariston nods and pats the fellow on his rocky shoulder. "We welcome your help... and if you ever wish to return to this plane, we will open a gate for you far from here. You can never come back to this territory. The Vault Keepers want your lives."

When the task is complete, Ariston ushers the oreads through the gate once more and hands off the earthspring sphere to Mara and Company.

OK, so it looks like we have a fire pool in here, yes? If so, am I right in thinking that we can have Mara close the Earth Gate then we walk through the fire pool... where I'm sure we'll be greeted by friendly neighbors. Then we 'just' get the energy from the fire wellspring and figure out how to open the Fire Gate?

Mirs spends her time examining the Wellspring while the oreads work. As she does so she chats pleasantly with them, hoping to take their minds off the terrible recent events while also pumping them for information about what they were doing here, how they ended up in a conflict with the Vault Keepers and which Shaitan they work for. Were they sent here by the Shaitan or was it an unfortunate accident?

Ariston, its probably worth letting Mara know about the whole Vault Keeper invasion risk as well while you are out there. She should get a message to our benefactor. These things are powerful, they could potentially find a way into any part of our world. We will have to keep an eye on the situation. In fact, I think someone should certainly start routinely using Discern Location on that Keeper who got away so we can get some warning if it turns up on our world. That is, once we have averted the apocalypse of course.

"Your conclusion is indeed false. We are not here to correct or punish you. As Pact Witches, our duty is to spread the cause of law, and combat any forces tied with the Maelstrom. We were called to help refill the Wellsprings and Disaster Energy Redistribution Machine, due to the considerable arcane power our Pact with Axis grants us," the Pact Witch states.

Liber then responds after Kroyws finishes, "Our usual work is translation. to allow cultures and people to understand each other, so no chaotic tensions may arise. Our pact with Axis largely concerns our fate past Tria's womb, effectively 'selling our soul,' as some mortals call it. We are by no means enforcers of Axis's will on every matter. So, as a result, you have nothing to fear from us."

Once the Oreads head through the gate, Liber stops hovering to rest on Krowys's shoulder. The latter nods and speaks up: "Are we ready to head to the Plane of Fire now?"

How much time is our Resist Fire active?

Trer shrugs her shoulders. "I'll drink my flight and enlarge person potions. But I've been saving one of my own tricks for that place. After I get those down, I'll be as ready as I can be!"

Resist fire will have expired, I can recast it just before we head through the fire gate.

No need for Resist Fire... I've got one more Mass Planar Adaptation for our trip to the Lava Lamp World.

Ariston nods at Mira's suggestion and looks pained, "I was waiting to share that bit of good news with her until we were done here. I wasn't sure if we were going to be hip-deep in more Vault Keepers. I already told her this door will need to be shut and never used again."

He heads through the gate once more to update Mara on the situation as well as what she should convey to Orteza or his envoys.

I think we might want resist fire over planar adaption since the fire does 3d10, and planar adaption only gives fire resist 20 vs the 30 that resist fire gives.

I believe environmental damage (3d10 or whatever) is entirely nullified by Mass Planar Adaptation. The Resist 20 is for any fire-based attacks we receive. I don't mind double-stacking Resist Fire. I just want Mira to not waste spells slots she may want later.

OK, so it looks like we have a fire pool in here, yes? If so, am I right in thinking that we can have Mara close the Earth Gate then we walk through the fire pool... where I'm sure we'll be greeted by friendly neighbors. Then we 'just' get the energy from the fire wellspring and figure out how to open the Fire Gate?

Sounds like a reasonable plan, and your memory that there will be another gate in the fire plane that needs reopening is correct.

Mirs spends her time examining the Wellspring while the oreads work. As she does so she chats pleasantly with them, hoping to take their minds off the terrible recent events while also pumping them for information about what they were doing here, how they ended up in a conflict with the Vault Keepers and which Shaitan they work for. Were they sent here by the Shaitan or was it an unfortunate accident?

"We are just miners in the service of her Crystalline Beneficence, Sultana Ashadieeyah bint Khalid of the Opaline Vault, sent to explore what we had believed to be ruins abandoned by the Xiomorn Vault Builders."

They add when Mira asks that they had been fleeing from the Vault Keepers, they had a portal detection device, and they used it to try to find portals that they could use to escape from the vault keepers. The device led them to this chamber, but the device they used indicated there was extreme danger on the other side of both the portal to the fire plane, and were trying to figure out what to do. In the meantime, they found the Custodian hiding in the boxes here, and some of them were trying to talk to it, hoping it might help them determine which was the better route to take. The fact that this all happened at the same time as you were coming through to the Wellspring appears to be an odd and unfortunate coincidence--or an act of fate.

"Your conclusion is indeed false. We are not here to correct or punish you. As Pact Witches, our duty is to spread the cause of law, and combat any forces tied with the Maelstrom. We were called to help refill the Wellsprings and Disaster Energy Redistribution Machine, due to the considerable arcane power our Pact with Axis grants us," the Pact Witch states.

Liber then responds after Kroyws finishes, "Our usual work is translation. to allow cultures and people to understand each other, so no chaotic tensions may arise. Our pact with Axis largely concerns our fate past Tria's womb, effectively 'selling our soul,' as some mortals call it. We are by no means enforcers of Axis's will on every matter. So, as a result, you have nothing to fear from us."

Slag processes this, and as much as you are able to tell, it appears to be relieved.

"Then process: Axis Concord 50-11001-001-Mercane is-is-is," it struggles for the word, and then finally finds it: "flawed. Maintenance of the machine has ceased. We-I cannot continue our designated function. It is out of fuel. Damage will be occurring to the Prime at which the Machine is located. Refilling now will restore the Machine for only 50 prime time units: years. Then Machine will fail again. Suggestion: form a new Concord with Axis. Alternative: allow Machine to fail. Alternative alternative: build new Machine."

[Ariston] heads through the gate once more to update Mara on the situation as well as what she should convey to Orteza or his envoys.

Mara is not thrilled but says, "I doubt they'll show up in the middle of a disaster, and I'll close the portal so they'll need to find another way through. Let's stop this apocalypse and then deal with the next." She agrees to send a message once the ceiling stops trying to collapse.

Which fortunately, when you deliver the filled earth primordium, the earthquakes stop.

"All right, we just have to not get buried in lava, now. I've heard our farms are evacuated but the northernmost ones are getting hit now. If I haven't said it yet, thank you for all you've done. I'll be more effusive once this is over."

Re: protection from the plane
I wish planar adaptation was a little more explicit, but I am taking, "immunity to the harmful environmental effects of a particular plane of existence, including such hazards as toxicity, extreme temperatures, and lack of air" not only protecting you from the ambient heat, but also from the fact that unattended and nonmagical items will otherwise combust. However, should the protection of that spell be dispelled or nullified, you'll need to protect yourself from both the damage and your clothes turning to ash.

Anything else? Let me know any other conversation or prep and when you go through the pool to the fire plane.

...and your clothes turning to ash.

Why do I have the feeling that we're going to finish this mission buck nekkid? LMAO

Ariston gives Mara a 'give me a minute' hand gesture and steps back through the gate to update his allies on the situation, making a particular point about conveying how far the lava has reached. Then he asks them a question so grossly unfair, he's embarrassed to say it...

"I've been keeping a spell in reserve, just in case a bunch of you died and I had a chance to bring you all back quickly. I'm happy to still keep it for that purpose, in case the fire plane proves the most challenging of all. BUT I could also use it, right now, to prevent the lava from getting any closer to the city. I've got no idea how many lives and how much property we could save. What do you think?"

"If I die, then I die. Either someone will fix that later, or things have gone catastrophically wrong. Save the lives. If it's just property though, than save it for me."

Miracle's text says literally this exact scenario, doesn't it?! The idea of us ending up naked is kind of hilarious.

Krowys concurs with Trer, and Liber can be seen 'nodding' on his shoulder. "I am with Trer on this matter. If it is merely property at risk, save it for the circumstance of the majority us dying. Our efforts in saving mere property will be for nothing if we ourselves fail."

"I agree about saving property as opposed to people. Unfortunately, we don't have more information. We don't know how fast the lava is moving or if there are more eruptions raining lava in the city. We don't know how many fools are determined to stay on their farms or in their homes thinking they can somehow beat back a natural disaster. We just don't know. We have to make this choice based on the few facts we have."

Lazur watches all the going back and forth and listens to everyone talking and says "I don't think we can permanently close this gate. We will need access to it in the future to refuel the machine. That is unless it is dismantled or a new one made. As far as your spell, I say hold on to it as there is no guarantee it will work long term and you may need it. You can always cast it in the plane of fire as I doubt where you matters to your god when you cast it but I don't know the details on it. If we knew for certain it would save people then by all means cast it now but we may do more good by refueling the machine."

Mira ponders Ariston's dilemma. I assume you are thinking of Miralce? It's a potent spell. I would say save it for now. We havent taken that long dealing with all of these portals. If we finish it quickly we wont need it. If time starts to drag then by all means use it to save lives.

As far as protections go Mira will add a communal resist fire for resist 30 just in case the planar adaptation gets dispelled. Multi layered defences are a good thing and level 3 spell slots are cheap. She also activates her wands again and goes invisible before stepping through.

Enlarge Person and Fly drunk before stepping through. Trer will go first.

Krowys will presumably be in the back with Liber sharing his square on his shoulder. If the situation regarding Miracle is resolved, he'd be ready to head through the portal once any fire-resistance spells are cast.

My buffs last 17 minutes. If it has been less than that they are still active. If not I am going with long arm and shield this time.

Nearly forgot! I am going to be nice and assume you try to be sure the xiomorns are really most sincerely dead and check the bodies for stuff.

One of the xiomorns has, incongruously, a leather pouch tied to one of its lower legs. Inside is folded piece of black cloth which you recognize as a portable hole. Inside it, or otherwise on the xiomorn's bodies, you find the following items they have presumably collected over time (Realistically you would probably not have the time to sort through all this right now, but it's easier to just list in its entirety now. Please agree upon some way to keep track of this.):

Assorted coinage from your Prime and beyond worth 13,139 gp
Armor (while often magical armor resizes itself to the wearer, the xiomorns' bodies are too alien to have made use of these): +1 hide armor [1,165 gp], +2 full plate [5,650 gp]

Art/Jewelry: silver holy symbol featuring a butterfly (you do not recognize the symbol and know it belongs to an alien deity, but something about its nature resonates with Ariston) [25 gp], carved stone idol of an insectoid creature [30 gp], set of six ivory dice [30 gp], gold and silver hand mirror [120 gp], painting of an unknown human woman wearing a crown [750 gp], gold chalice with griffon carvings [600 gp], platinum statuette of a man missing a hand and with his eyes cut out, but wielding a sword as though ready for battle [1,300 gp], platinum bowl with arcane engravings [800 gp], jeweled egg that has a cap that can open and close; it contains the tears of an angel [4,500 gp], crystal skull [80 gp], silver comb with ornate handle [75 gp]

Gems:
tigereye [8 gp], lapis lazuli [9 gp], irregular freshwater pearl [19 gp], deep blue spinel [90 gp], opal [450 gp], 2x emeralds [1,200 gp], small diamond [1,100 gp], small ruby [800 gp], small diamond [800 gp], large diamond [5,000 gp], agate [11 gp], rhodochrosite [9 gp], sard [65 gp], milky quartz [45 gp], rock crystal quartz [8 gp], pyrite [13 gp]

Weapons: 5x +2 returning shuriken [18,301 gp], hushing arrow (greater) [1,047 gp], masterwork gauntlet made to look like a clawed devil's hand[302 gp]

Wondrous Items: quick runner's shirt [1,000 gp]

Another xiomorn has folded into its crystalline joints a [300 gp] potion/oil of blur (CL 3). Another has two scrolls: Scrolls: divine scroll of serenity (CL 9)[1,125 gp], arcane scroll of magic weapon (CL 1) [25 gp]

Ariston puzzles over the feeling of resonance engendered in the alien holy symbol. He carefully puts it in one of his haversack's pockets. When he has time, he'll use some divination spells to learn more about it.

On the subject of asking for a Miracle, he nods and acquiesces to the team's wisdom. "As you wish. Unfortunately, we don't have the time for me to divine the risks to the locals." All my useful divine spells have ten minute casting times.

Knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 re: the holy symbol - if this will explain the 'ping'.

I think I'm just casting Mass Planar Adaptation and refreshing Shield of Faith before we cross.

Ariston determines he'd need more time and some divination to determine to whom the holy symbol belonged exactly, since it is not of your world. The front holds a ceramic disc painted with a purple butterfly with a star pattern on its wings. Engraved on the back of the symbol in tiny script is prayer:

Aid the weary along the road
Find the paths forgot and new
Dream, make, and sing, to ease our load
Follow the North Star, expand your view

So you can surmise the god serves a similar, if not same, portfolio. You do not recognize the god or the world from this one object. The other objects look like they might come from different worlds and planes.

---
Ariston casts mass planar adaptation and shield of faith. Lazur's spells would have just expired since it took some time to chip the crystals off the Wellspring, so he recasts long arm and shield. Trer drinks her potions of enlarge person and fly. Mira renews mass protection from fire and activates her wands again. Krowys, anything?

Also question for the party: what if anything are you doing with Slag? Leaving him in the earth plane? Sending him to Mara for now? Taking him with you?

We should leave Slag with Mara, its not safe close to the Wellspring.

Krowys nods. "That does seem like the best course of action, yes."

Mara does not look thrilled to have to look after four lost oreads and a rogue inevitable, but she is also understanding of the circumstances. You leave the lost ones with her while you head through the planar pool gate.

Trer takes point and steps through and learns her instinct to quaff the potion of fly was excellently timed, as this pool leads into midair--and unlike the water and air planes, the fire plane does seem to have a discernable gravity. Nonetheless, something deep in Trer's blood surges with recognition and potential power.

She finds herself hovering 10 feet over a large stone "island," not unlike the one in the water plane--but of course here, this is amidst a sea of searing, rippling air and flame. The wellspring is on the island, as is the dormant gateway back to the mechanosanctum--but the island is also occupied. The most obvious is the massive brass golem shaped like a devil, standing with a tube connecting it to the primordium fuel spout on the wellspring. It is accompanied by a half dozen salamanders, all wielding sharp black spears able to withstand the heat of this realm.

Equally noticeable is the giant floating ship next to the island, attached to it by a metal gangway. It resembles a small galleon with odd, narrow masts with no sails, and but rather than wood, it is made of the same brassy material as the golem. Its topdeck is occupied by more salamanders, including a larger and fiercer one standing at its helm.

As she looks out into the rippling firesea, she can see that this is not one, but dozens of galleons, all amassing near the area. A few "islands" (floating stone hemispheres) are scattered throughout, though unsurprisingly only one wellspring.

All of the galleons set poised to sail in a particular direction, and as Trer turns her gaze toward where they might be headed, she sees a vast floating city sitting upon a brass basin and encompassed in a rippling, glowing sphere. She has never seen this brass city... this City of Brass ... before, and yet that same pulse within her that makes her feel like she is in a place she belongs also tells her that place feels like something akin to home... (even if rationally, she knows it is not)...

And these creatures are clearly preparing to assault it.

The large salamander upon the brass galleon seems to notice her nearly instantly and waves to her, yelling in a language she does not understand, and it is hard to tell if it is an invitation... or a threat.

Battlemap updated to illustrate current situation