Daedin comes close enough to electrocuting himself that the hairs on his arm raise but manages to access the machinery and disable the right wire.
Diazepane then opens the door.
Banks of glowing quartz beams line the ceiling, illuminating a broad hall with a cold, clean glow. A row of broad steps gradually descends from the metal door on the western wall to the hall’s floor. A squat door and narrow passage lie to the east.
The alarms suddenly grow louder as the door ceases to muffle their noise.
Two and a half dozen red coated men and women fill this hall while another lays on the floor at your feet, with vicious scorch marks running up his right arm.
The living ones stare at you in wild-eyed shock.
Everyone gets a surprise round to act, if they like.
Are they armed? I'm thinking this sounds like a bunch of scientists and lab technicians.
"You lot, come out here now and line up in an orderly fashion!" Svetlana yells at the closest one, she gestures to a spot with her bardiche, but also quite clearly ready to use it on anyone looking to try and get past her.
As the door appears- Kal stops his poking around the cracks house and turns his attention to new found doorway.
Though his ears do not hear any of the sounds that the others relay, he quickly positions himself at the front of the line before the door opens. He checks the grip in his pole arm unconsciously.
Intimidate:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
"Best be moving back to where you came from, Folks. I'd hate to have the clear this space in a more... efficient... manner. Don't you worry, we'll be stopping by to talk to you though"
The mob stares at you uncomprehendingly for a moment before one of the nearest ones opens her mouth to speak. Before she can get anything out, the man next to her lunges forward. The other 29 people in the chamber side with him and they rush forward, cramming themselves through the door.
Despite their numbers, they barely manage to shove Diazepane aside, ignore the other Pathfinders and stream out onto the island. They only become more distraught when they reach the surface and realize they are stranded on the island with only the Pathfinders boat as a way to get away.
I'm going to let Svetlana's Intimidate Result ride.
Though she can't corral them in the hall, Svetlana's impressive training manages to override the sirens and quell the mob, for now.
Two research assistants step up to answer questions. "All we know is that we were hired by Kramolag to help her investigate varied aspects of the anatomy and biochemistry of Darklands natives, and now blaring alarms indicate one or more serious accidents have triggered drastic security
protocols.
"Maybe it was the roper in lab B2. I suppose it's strand-like appendages might have helped it escape. They have remarkable stretching abilities," one of them says.
The other rejects that hypothesis, citing several of the roper's physiological similarities to a typical garden snail as reasons it is unlikely.
"But you know how tight that lab is. I could swear, even following the protocols, it almost got me a couple times. Maybe someone slipped up," the first one says.
"I guess. It's not like all the labs aren't just as unsafe, though so it could have been any of them."
"Yeah, I'm glad to be out of there honestly. It's not as though the living spaces were any better, except they weren't quite so dangerous," the first assistant says.
"I know and the food...don't get me started. And being cooped up in there for weeks on end. I think I forgot what the sun looked like. Is it this dim?" she looks up at the gloomy sky.
Finding out more useful information is possible but will take time, either yours or that of one of the junior teams you've brought with you.
F Human Cleric 14/Pharasma|HP: 80/114|AC31,F30,T14|CMD: 21|F+15,R+9,W+20|Init+1|SPD40|PER +17|
Nadya listens intently as the panicked lab technicians share their stories. Her face is a concerned frown as she sidles up to Svetlana.
”We need to get below and deal with things before they become unmanageable. These people aren’t going anywhere — let the junior team debrief them properly. Our business is with Kramolag.”
7-20 | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 13 | AC 27 31 (T 16, FF 23 27) | HP 120/120 | P +21, I +4 | F +16 (+18 vs poison), R +17, W +12 | Bombs: 22/23, Fly: 13/13, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
"The only reason we might want to interrogate them ourselves is if we think they could give us actionable information before we head back into the cave."
"I don't know! Kramolag has a whole lab we can't even get into! If whatever's down there is loose..." fear allows him to break free of even Kal'Ryon's grip and he flees wildly searching for a way to escape.
7-20 | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 13 | AC 27 31 (T 16, FF 23 27) | HP 120/120 | P +21, I +4 | F +16 (+18 vs poison), R +17, W +12 | Bombs: 22/23, Fly: 13/13, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
I'll vote against interrogation, as I don't think Kal'Ryon intended to vote for. So it should be 0-2 or 0-3.
"Alright, alright, get in line! I said 'GET IN LINE!'" Garl shouts at the meandering scientists.
"You heard the man! Hey you! Yeah you! Don't make me come over there!" his sister, Shrade joins in.
With the Axe-Fixers taking things in hand, you head into the structure behind the hidden door. The hallway where all the researchers were crammed leads to a set of stairs that descend 40 feet into the rock- further proof of how secure the creators of this place wanted it to be.
The stairs descend into a room of pristine white tiles with shining steel doors on the south and east walls. Like a gallery display, a glass column stands near the center of the room, rising from floor to ceiling. Within, a nine-foot-tall mass of agitated violet mold writhes through a bubbling fluid.
7-20 | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 13 | AC 27 31 (T 16, FF 23 27) | HP 120/120 | P +21, I +4 | F +16 (+18 vs poison), R +17, W +12 | Bombs: 22/23, Fly: 13/13, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
Is it assumed that we're looking for traps and secret doors as we move through the complex, or do we need to specify?
Diazepane will try to think of a reason that people keep violet mold in a glass column.
F Human Cleric 14/Pharasma|HP: 80/114|AC31,F30,T14|CMD: 21|F+15,R+9,W+20|Init+1|SPD40|PER +17|
Mother Nadya enters the room warily, clearly annoyed by the incessant klaxon of the alarm. She approaches the glass column and watches the mold inside for a moment, then taps at the glass to see how it reacts.
F Human Cleric 14/Pharasma|HP: 80/114|AC31,F30,T14|CMD: 21|F+15,R+9,W+20|Init+1|SPD40|PER +17|
Faced with two apparently identical doors, Nadya pulls forth her Harrow deck. She faces the south door and pulls a card.
"The Vision. There is madness and chaos beyond this door, but knowledge to be gained as well."
She then faces the eastern door and draws a card.
"Hmm. The Carnival. A card of false dreams and illusions. Imprudent ambitions. The Professor will be that way, she is the Ringmaster here. But what we may learn from the other door may help us overcome her."
Please note, this is purely roleplaying based off two random card draws on my part. I am not hinting at meta-knowledge for this scenario. Nadya is a priestess of the Prophecy portfolio of Pharasma, and just does this at forks in her road.
I am not assuming that you are always searching for traps. However, I won't make you tell me every single square that you want to search. A search at each door that you want to search and then each room will suffice.
Daedin does not find any traps on either of the doors.
7-20 | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 13 | AC 27 31 (T 16, FF 23 27) | HP 120/120 | P +21, I +4 | F +16 (+18 vs poison), R +17, W +12 | Bombs: 22/23, Fly: 13/13, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
Who is Diazepane to defy the harrow deck? He searches (or lets Daedin search) the south door, and then opens it.
Taking his cue from the subtle nods of his companions, Kal'ryon reaches for the slender, almost nondescript rod tucked securely in his belt. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he activates the artifact, murmuring the incantation taught to him by his mentor. The air around him shimmers momentarily as the spell takes effect, reinforcing his scaled skin with the toughness of forged iron.
Extended Iron Skin. Duration 20 mins. +5 Natural Armor, AC 27
Even as the door opens a thick, foul smelling, yellow vapor spills out of this room.
Inside, it is so dense that you can see no more than 5 feet away from you (unless you have blindsense or a similar ability.)
But immediately you are confronted by a creature. A huge eye opens in this conical creature’s front, just above a toothy mouth. Long strands of fibrous material whip from its sides. It gesticulates wildly and gabbles something.
7-20 | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 13 | AC 27 31 (T 16, FF 23 27) | HP 120/120 | P +21, I +4 | F +16 (+18 vs poison), R +17, W +12 | Bombs: 22/23, Fly: 13/13, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
Diazepane speaks Undercommon.
"It's asking for us to free it, and to release the shackles."
Perception:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34
"There's a kitten mewling in distress deeper in the room."
F Human Cleric 14/Pharasma|HP: 80/114|AC31,F30,T14|CMD: 21|F+15,R+9,W+20|Init+1|SPD40|PER +17|
”This must be roper we heard about from technicians, yes?” says Nadya. ”I see no reason to set such a beast free. But if it is still shackled, then it is not the thing which set off this EXTREMELY ANNOYING ALARM and started the panic. Something else must be loose. And not, I think, a kitten.”
”We should investigate what makes this fog.” she adds, then casts Bless on the party.
Kal produces the thin rod one more time, and a second small wooden wand- that flashes light before settling a thin, protective barrier about the Ganzi.
"Now is as good a time as ever" and he strides into the unknown.
Surprise/1st Round the BOLD may act.
Kal'Ryon is acting in the surprise round since he would have been able to "see" the creature attack. Please start behind the red line. Remember if you're more than 5' away you can't see it.
Svetlana
Daedin
Not a Kitten
Diazepane
Kal'Ryon -14hp, bleed 2
Nadya
5' as in we need to be base to base, or can I be a square away and hit with a polearm?
A square away and hit it with a polearm.
Even within 5 feet a target has concealment so there is a 20% miss chance, so don't forget that unless you have something to negate it. Beyond 5 feet, it's total concealment (50% miss chance and can't locate it via visual means.
"Dang it, that smarts...", the smoke swings and moves, but he can feel the creature out there- just out of sight. He levels his blade and swings at where things should be. He sets his focus on warping reality to his whims Rage
Hit > 21:1d100 ⇒ 9 Blind-Fight Reroll Hit > 21:1d100 ⇒ 92
Blind-Fight:
Benefit: In melee, every time you miss because of concealment (see Combat), you can reroll your miss chance percentile roll one time to see if you actually hit.
An invisible attacker gets no advantages related to hitting you in melee. That is, you don’t lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class, and the attacker doesn’t get the usual +2 bonus for being invisible. The invisible attacker’s bonuses do still apply for ranged attacks, however.
You do not need to make Acrobatics skill checks to move at full speed while blinded.
Normal: Regular attack roll modifiers for invisible attackers trying to hit you apply, and you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC. The speed reduction for darkness and poor visibility also applies.
Special: The Blind-Fight feat is of no use against a character who is the subject of a blink spell.
What Svetlana expects to be a devastating blow is only a serious slash that doesn't even do quite as much damage as it seems it should. Nor is it intimidated by her.
Kal'Ryon misses entirely.
Daedin manages to hit his target despite all the odds against it but his arrow doesn't sink very far.
The mewling kitten sound comes again, this time obviously from the beast that they're fighting. But the pain it emulates only increases and takes on the tone of a hundred cats being tortured in unimaginable ways, sending a wave of fear out to any creature that can hear it.
1st/2nd Round the BOLD may act.
Remember if you're more than 5' away you can't see it. I moved Kal'Ryon up to within range with reach and added Svetlana's marker.
Svetlana DC21 Will save or Shaken
Daedin DC21 Will save or Shaken
Not a Kitten -61
Diazepane DC21 Will save or Shaken
Kal'Ryon -16hp, bleed 2 DC21 Will save or Shaken
Nadya DC21 Will save or Shaken
F Human Cleric 14/Pharasma|HP: 80/114|AC31,F30,T14|CMD: 21|F+15,R+9,W+20|Init+1|SPD40|PER +17|
Will:1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 20 + 1 = 38Again, everyone remember your Bless gives +1 vs Fear
Knowledge Planes:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18Trying to learn what DR we’re facing
Nadya snorts contemptuously at the creature’s attempt to unsettle her with pet sounds.
”I am not some childless cat lady! Save your pathetic mewling for when you stand before Pharasma in the Boneyard! Your wicked deceits will not avail you! Burn with righteous fire!”
Nadya takes a 5 foot step into the room and raises her holy symbol to channel…
Alignment Channel vs Evil DC 25:7d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 1, 6, 2, 6, 1) = 24
