GM Rotation, The COREageous Crew

Game Master Pete H.

"Stay safe, Sir Nigel. We'll take care of whatever is in the museum."

At the door...

"Paul, you should check this door for traps. Those cultists may have set traps everywhere."

Nigel feigns that he had any interest in staying around, "Oh no, I couldn't leave... but... you make a good argument. I should probably head out and make my report to the family. Good luck!"

And before anyone can say differently, he bolts out of the garden and into the dark streets.

Heading around the museum (there are no back entrances), the group catches up with Jack and then allow Cashel to make his observations about the enemies inside. He and Paul responsibly check the door and declare it safe.

Jack pulls open the door and the mechanical sentries activate!

Initiative
Jack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Paloma: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Paul: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Cashel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Cortina: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Sobek: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Red: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Blue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

With a crackle of electricity, one of the statues' weapon crackles with electricity and it rushes forwards, swinging it (POORLY) at Sobek 1 Jack 2: 1d2 ⇒ 1 the monkish looking fighter!

Blue V Sobek: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

With combat reflexes and a reach weapon out, this movement provokes from Sobek.

Round 1: Whirr-Chick-Clack ATTACK!
Buffs: NA
Blue
Cashel
Jack
Paloma
Cortina
Sobek (AoO + Normal Action)
Paul
Red

Bold May Go! Normal Light Conditions.

Trained Knowledge Arcana to ID the sentries

Cashel attempts to ID the sentries.

Knowledge(Arcana): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23.

Jack steps in and swings at Blue.
gs: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 4) + 8 = 16

Cashel identifies these entities as Constructs (robot). In addition to the usual *construct traits, these have a couple extra interesting abilities. They are intelligent, vulnerable to electricity (150% more damage) and vulnerable to critical hits (fort save if critted, failure = stunned 1 rd).

Jack discovers via experiential knowledge that these foes have hardness (10), but still manages to damage an arm.

These pathfinders are up!
Cashel
Paloma
Cortina
Sobek (AoO + Normal Action)
Paul

Paul slides forward, trying to beat the construct's attack with his speed and agility.

Acrobatics check to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

He then takes a tentative poke at blue with his rapier, hunting for a vital spot.

Rapier attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Even if that hits, he can't do enough to get through its hardness.

Not liking the look of the metal men and how little damage they seemed to take from blades, Paloma signals for Cheeper to stay at her heel and steps behind Sobek. She draws something that smells of sulfur from her component pouch as she begins to cast and a flaming sphere erupts inside the museum. She directs it to move over the closest robot, hoping to burn it with the flames.

Fire Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 5) = 15 Reflex DC 14 to negate.

FYI regarding Hardness: Energy attacks deal half damage to most objects. Divide the damage by 2 before applying the object’s hardness. Some energy types might be particularly effective against certain objects, subject to GM discretion. For example, fire might do full damage against parchment, cloth, and other objects that burn easily. Sonic might do full damage against glass and crystal objects.

Electricity would do full damage (actually more than full) but the other energy types would be much less effective. You may redo your action Paloma, if you wish.

With weapon gripped tightly, Sobek jabs his guisarme at the creature as it moves forward.
+1 Guisarme (AoO): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
slashing: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 = 12

He then takes a step back and sweeps his weapon at the creature's legs, hoping to knock it over.
+1 Guisarme vs CMD to trip: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

I think the math for my attack and damage in the post above is wrong. I have since changed it in my profile and think I got it right. If anyone would like to double check, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Ouch, was hoping magical fire at least did 100% damage before hardness was detracted. I miss DR already! XD

Paloma steps into the doorway, drawing her sword and makes a slash that is more performative than effective, trying to give Jack a bigger opening for his next attack.

Scimitar attack to Aid Another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
+2 to Jack's next attack.

Sobek's result for the trip should be 22.

Cortina moves into the room (this provokes, see map) and provides Jack with a Bit of Luck from her goddess.
"Have some of Desna's luck, now hit it hard!" =use Power Attack ;-)

Bit of Luck: Until Cortina's next turn, each time you roll a d20, you may roll twice and take the more favorable result.

Sobek misses his surprise strike against the incoming robot, probably just got too excited about using his combat reflexes.

Cashel bides his time, waiting for an opportunity.

Jack lands a heavy blow, but his boring ole steel weapon can’t cleave as well as it should through flesh and bone.

Paul slips into the room safely, but can’t get a hit.

Sobek slides his polearm between the robot’s legs and sweeps, taking it to the ground!

Even with a 20 (per the discussion thread) works.

Paloma moves in to help Jack’s next strike.

Cortina does too, but more dangerously.

Blue v Cortina - Prone: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 4 = 23 for Piercing + Electricity: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 5 + (3) = 15

Very dangerously! She finds out just about how hard they hit.

The other one moves in, weapon crackling with electricity and swinging at Paul, ”EXTERMINATE!”

Red v Paul: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 for Piercing + Electricity: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 5 + (1) = 11

The other one stands up and swings at Jack, ”OBLITERATE!”

Blue v Jack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 for Piercing + Electricity: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 5 + (6) = 19

Paul, Jack, Paloma and Sobek get AoOs vs Blue. If they somehow kill or stun it, I will remove the damage to Jack.

Round 2: Whirr-Chick-Clack ATTACK!
Buffs: NA
Blue (-6 HP)
Cashel
Jack (-19 HP)
Paloma
Cortina (-15 HP)
Sobek
Paul (-11 HP)
Red

Bold May Go! Please roll your AoOs first if you have and take them.

Jack will definitely take that bit of luck. In his opinion, Desna would win the Most Beautiful Goddess Award by two wings at least.

Jack then takes the AOO with Power Attack.
gs: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 2 - 2 = 22
gs: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 - 2 = 16
damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 8 + 6 = 23

before his next actual hit.
gs: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 - 2 = 20
gs: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 - 2 = 26
damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 6) + 8 + 6 = 21

ANNIHILATE

AoO, including flank with Cheepers: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9

Stunned by the speed of the attack, Paul misses his strike on the construct. He tries again to no avail before stepping back.

Flanking attack on Blue: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16

Cheeper AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Paloma AoO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Paloma AoO Confirm?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

W00t! Paloma actually did some damage.

Cheeper Claw 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Cheeper Claw 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Cheeper Bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Cheeper Trip if Bite hits: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Mostly trying for the trip since Cheep won't get through hardness even on a maxed crit. Note that if Cheeper suffers any damage from attacking these things, Paloma will call her Down immediately.

Paloma continues slashing to give Jack better angles of attack.
Scimitar attack to Aid Another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
+2 to Jack's next attack.

Cortina recognizes the danger of these constructs and channels energy to heal herself and her teammates.

Ch. Energy to heal: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5 :-/

She then quickly moves around the second construct in order to provide flanking.

Channel energy does not affect constructs unless there's something else in play (e.g. a Construct Channel Brick, a special ability of the construct, etc.).

Sobek swings at the blue robot as it stands up.
+1 Guisarme (AoO) & PA: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
slashing: 2d4 + 13 ⇒ (3, 1) + 13 = 17

He then does an overhand chop on the blue metal man...
+1 Guisarme & PA: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
slashing: 2d4 + 13 ⇒ (3, 1) + 13 = 17

Blue Fort to not be stunned from that crit: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I’m in the middle of the nasty US blizzard now and also stuck at work because while my company ‘says’ they care about safety, they don’t really if it means shutting down for a couple days. Anyway, I’ll do a full update hopefully tomorrow. But here is a short summary so far.

The 25 damage done in the AoO round to Blue did not kill it, but the failed Fortitude Roll means it was stunned and couldn’t hit Jack for 19, lucky! Jack’s damage on his actual turn did also finish off Blue, so I will allow the players who acted after him to adjust movement accordingly. Sobek’s 19 does not hit red if he switches targets. Cashel is also still up to act and the channel worked really well, obviously not healing the robots.

But if Sobek moves in a position to flank with Cortina (a tactic we can reasonably assume will be used by a seasoned fighter as Sobek), does a 21 hit?

But if Sobek moves in a position to flank with Cortina (a tactic we can reasonably assume will be used by a seasoned fighter as Sobek), does a 21 hit?

That sounds like a good recommendation to make to him. So far no one has moved. And Sobek isn’t the only person that could move, which could complicate or improve lots of things. And pretty much everyone in the group acted after Jack, so anyone could move (including Jack using his remaining move) if they want.

I’m stuck at worksies again, even though we are about the only place open in our state right now. I’ll definitely do a full update tomorrow.

I moved Sobek's icon.

Uh, Sobek, if you go there, you're not flanking with Cortina - or anyone. (The icon to the right of the construct is Paul who doesn't have a reach weapon.) I marked the square where you would be flanking with Cortina with a smiley.

Also, if you changed your attack to a trip maneuver, many of us would benefit from it (easier to hit and getting an AoO).

Moved icon to spot per Cortina's suggestion. ;)

Do I get to retcon my attack? If so, here it is...
Sobek sweeps his polearm at Red's legs, hoping to knock it down...
+1 Guisarme to trip vs CMD: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Sweet!

A flurry of chops whacks smacks and slashes combine to stun and almost destroy the blue robot. Jack is safe from its retribution!

Cashel takes a long look at a rulebook and makes some comments to the deity currently watching before pulling out some pompoms and cheering on the group.

Jack then hacks a final hack, dropping one of the two attackers to the ground. It whirs one final threat, "ELECTROCUUUUUUuuuuuuu..." before going silent.

I stepped Jack up next to Red.

Paloma and Cheeper move into position, the tiger ineffectively nipping and the druid distracting.

Cortina heals herself and Paul a little bit, taking advantage of a well known deficiency robots have in not being alive in the traditional sense.

Sobek sweeps the legs right out of their foe, getting them down on the ground.

Paul isn't very effective at anything, but does step back.

The enemy, surrounded by foes and prone, wisely surrenders doesn't care, stands up and steps over to Paul, slashing wildly at the rogue, "DEFENESTRATE!"

The standing provokes from EVERYONE (except Paul). Jack gets Paloma's +2 from the Aid on his first attack, but no one has any roll twice blessings right now. I will apply the prone penalty to the robot's AC v. any AoOs.

Red v. Paul: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Round 3: Whirr-Chick-Clack ATTACK!
Buffs: NA
Cashel
Jack
Paloma
Cortina (-10 HP)
Sobek
Paul (-6 HP)
Red

Bold May Go!

Jack AOO's Red with Power Attack.
gs: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 - 2 = 16
damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 4) + 8 + 6 = 23

before stepping and doing another strike.
gs: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 2 = 26
damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 + 6 = 19

Cheeper AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Cheeper Trip if Bite hits: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Paloma AoO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Cheeper's opportunistic bite lands though the cat's teeth do nothing against the hard metal of it's legs. Paloma's slash misses entirely.

Cheeper steps beside Jack in pursuit of the metal man-thing, swiping with claws and clamping down her jaw, trying to pull it's foot out from under it.
Cheeper Claw 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Cheeper Claw 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Cheeper Bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Cheeper Trip if Bite hits: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Paloma gives a thumbs up to Cashel for his divine intervention and tries a spell she had thought about before changing her mind. A flaming sphere blooms into existence on top of the robot descending to hopefully burn it.

Fire Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 2) = 14 Reflex DC 14 to negate.

Sobek jabs at the metal man as it tries to stand...
+1 Guisarme AoO (-2 Pow. Atk): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
slashing (+6 Pow. Atk): 2d4 + 13 ⇒ (4, 4) + 13 = 21

He then swings his guisarme in a wide arc at the creature...
+1 Guisarme (-2 Pow. Atk): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
slashing (+6 Pow. Atk): 2d4 + 13 ⇒ (1, 4) + 13 = 18

@Sobek: I think you forgot the +2 flanking bonus for the AoO. And with your roll that might be the difference between a hit and a miss against the prone target!
Also, I think you need to move your icon again, otherwise you cannot reach the robot with your regular attack. If the robot is able to move, that is ... there's a (small) possibility that it's stunned - see discussion.

Cortina thrusts her longspear at the rising robot, right after Cheeper bites it.

AoO cold iron Longspear, Power Attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 1 + 2 = 14 :-/
Piercing, Power Attack: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 3 = 14

@GM TOP: Maybe it's also stunned because of Cheeper's (possible) crit?

Cheeper AoO confirm?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Crit bite Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 = 8

Welp, I'll throw it out there in case it does something...

Now I'm all confused. Looks like some icons moved after I moved. I'm not sure what to do.

@Sobek: I think it's already the next round.

At the beginning of round 2 the blue robot stood up and was hit with many AoOs, one of these was a crit (by Paloma) that stunned it. Jack then finished it off with his regular attack, that's why you had to change your position (to the one I marked with a smily) to flank with Cortina and trip the red robot with your regular round 2 attack.

After the PCs' turns the red robot got up, triggering AoOs again and stepped towards Paul (see red arrow on the map).

Now it's round 3 and all PCs are up to act.
Sobek now has to move after the AoO in order to be able to reach the robot with your regular attack (that you already posted together with the AoO).

I hope that clears it up! :-)

Paul sidesteps into a flank with Cheeper and attacks, but can't find any gaps in its armor.

Flanking rapier attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16

Current AC 18 due to trait bonus.

Jack, Sobek and Cheeper strike solidly as the robot stands, though the kitty only gets a chipped tooth out of the deal.

Cashel chills outside. His tummy grumbles, maybe he should grab that half sandwich he saved from dinner.

Jack follows it with another quick strike, but no witty banter this time.

Paloma's kitty drags it to the ground though, that'll definitely help later. The druid summons a massive rolling ball of flame on top of it too, surely that will work!

Reflex DC 14: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

It connects and sizzles, but doesn't finish the foe.

Cortina again helps Jack's next strike with another fancy feint.

Sobek swings wide, even with prone flanking he can't hit.

But... PAUL CAN!

Roll Damage Please Paul, including Sneak Attack.

Round 3: Whirr-Chick-Clack ATTACK!
Buffs: NA
Cashel
Jack
Paloma
Cortina (-10 HP)
Sobek
Paul (-6 HP)
Red (-37 HP, Prone)

Bold May Go!

Rapier damage, including sneak attack: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (5) = 12

A little bit got through...we'll see if it's enough.

Paul tries to finish it off, but can’t quite do it. The robot stays down, but you can see tiny little metal creatures swarming its body, repairing damage.

It’s doing a full round self heal. Y’all have one round to finish it off before that kicks in. Everyone is up, Good Luck!

Paul stabs again, the screech of metal on metal echoing in the room.

Flanking rapier attack vs. prone target: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Rapier damage, if applicable, including sneak attack: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (1) = 8

This time he's not as effective.

The ferocious feline continues to bat ineffectively at the metal-reinforced scratching post.
Cheeper Claw 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Cheeper Claw 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Cheeper Bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Paloma keeps concentrating on her sphere bearing down on the prone robot.
Fire Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 2) = 12 Reflex DC 14 to negate.

Go, go, penny ante damage! XD

Jack goes for another power attack.

gs: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 - 2 = 9
damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 8 + 6 = 25

Cortina steps to the side to offer Sobek a possible flank. She then tries to mess with the robot to aid Sobek with his next attack.

Aid Another cold iron Longspear: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"Finish it, Sobek!"

"I will try."

Taking a short step forward, Sobek swings his guisarme with all of his might...
+1 Guisarme (-2 Pow. Atk), Aid & flank: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 18
slashing (+6 Pow. Atk): 2d4 + 13 ⇒ (3, 4) + 13 = 20

After the rest of the group fails to finish the job, Sobek steps in and removes the bot’s head. The nanites stop churning and the museum is silent again.

The robot bodies each have a MW spear, but nothing else. However, a perception check could be useful in this room.

Paul searches the area for signs of what might be happening here.

Perception check (+1 for traps): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

"Well done! Once again, the application of thoughtfully applied brute force overwhelms the greatest of technological advancements."

Cashel applies healing to the wounded...

CLW (Paul): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6.
CLW (Cortina): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7.

...and then joins Paul in searching the room for further clues.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36.

"Well done, Sobek! I knew you could do it!"

After being healed by Cashel:

"Thank you, Cashel! Well, you surely have heard of the old saying:
If brute force doesn't work, it wasn’t enough brute force."

Cortina winks and then joins the others in searching the room.

Aid Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 LOL.

Paul is off looking at doors for traps, but Cashel notices something off about the statue. Aroden statues are rarely on pedestals, as he was a god of the people and is always portrayed at their level. Looking carefully at the inscription for more clues, he notices a burr at the end of a word. Putting a fingernail against it, he feels it shift and realizes it’s a tiny lever. A tiny lever that opens a large panel into a cavity where a medium box rests.

The words on the box are ‘Property of Blackros Museum, for use in emergency only. Possible emergencies include dimensional invasion, exhibit animation, siege, museum transportation or transposition, and extreme cleanup.’

Inside the unlocked box is a collection of magical and mundane items that are easily identified. A healer’s kit, three doses of bloodblock, two doses of antitoxin, two doses of antiplague, a potion of cure moderate wounds, and a wand of remove disease (14 charges).

Reading the Blakros' definition of 'emergency use', a glassy look crosses Cashel's face.

"This place is basically a nexus for every horrible thing in the multiverse, isn't it...?"

Nonetheless, he still claims the wand.

Jack picks up one of the spear and hefts it to feel the weight.

This could be useful he muses.

"I would like to hold on to one of those vials of antitoxin. In case we encounter any poisonous creatures."

Reading the Blakros' definition of 'emergency use', a glassy look crosses Cashel's face.

"This place is basically a nexus for every horrible thing in the multiverse, isn't it...?"

Nonetheless, he still claims the wand.

Paloma nods in agreement. "Your faction has their work cut out for them." She says with some sympathy to Cashel.

With Ryul absent, she passes out the items. "Cortina, I already carry a Healer's Kit, how about you take this one. Paul, you carry the other antitoxin, the healing potion and one of these blood blocks since you often end up away from the group. Jack, you carry an anitplague and I'll take the other one and a blood block. Sobek, you should carry a blood block too."

Can blood block be administered by someone else to an ally or does it have to be consumed by the user like a potion?