Able to post again! Almost got that doc completed for you, Doc. You have MS PowerPoint, right? If not, I can put it in MS Word or something like that. Also, where is the link to the new game/continuation of the old game we had?
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Thanks for understanding guys, and even more for your kind words. As for your questions. 1. In regards to e-mail addresses for the PDFs I will be making, I will not need them if I can fit them on a PM I can send you guys. 2. In regards to future games, I don't think I will be doing any of those for at least a few months. If I do any, I will let you all know and give you first dibs on slots. 3. Doc, I would love for you to take over this campaign, as it is much too awesome to just drop! I can send you a whole load of information. I would have to transcribe it into digital form, because it is both in written and eiditic form at present. I should have it done for you in a week or two, and should be able to send it to you in two weeks or so. I hope that everyone's doing great and if so, hope that you continue doing so. I'll check back in about two weeks or so. Also, Doc, could you PM me a link to the new campaign? I'd like to look in every few weeks to see the awesomeness you guys are featuring in the game!
Unamatrix Zero:
As Fido scans the shop looking for something that may be of use, its sensors focus on three items, which all receive an acquire target marker from Unamatrix as it receives the visual transmissions.
The first item, located on a high shelf, is a glowing hexagonal object of silvery metal with a glowing blue core the color of the sky. This is an arcane power core, which Unamatrix will need soon, because its power reserves are operating on emergency capacity, meaning it has around a week's worth of time before it powers down. The second item is an optic lens array located on a low shelf, which Unamatrix will need since its previous lens system was broken by Splitear Wilk's bandits when they took a pot shot at what they thought was a broken robot. Without this, Unamatrix will have to rely on Fido's sensors to see, which has a split second lag in data transfer which could be detrimental in combat. And the third item is an ancient memory codex crystal that looks like a cone made out of a highly reflective metal. These ancient devices were used in the Mage Wars to store important information. That it is for sale shows that Mugalow is willing to sell almost anything, because most would not part for one for any price. The prices on the items are as follows: arcane power core-5PP, optic lens array-2PP, and memory codex-13PP for a total of 20PP. Volk: At your request, Mugalow smirks for a moment,"Bumbling? Dear boy, you should have seen me in my youth! The days at the Technomancer's College in Numeria were colorful, to say the least! Accidentally burning off my mentor's trousers was the least of the mishaps. I worked to make a massive cannon that channeled arcane energies to short circuit a foes nervous system. Well, it only partially worked. I was firing it one day and the shot accidentally hit a female student. She lay on the ground convulsing and shrieking something aweful, then she suddenly stopped and made the widest grin I'd ever seen. After she managed to get up after ten minutes or so, I asked her what the shot had done to her. Well, it's a tad crude to talk about, so I will not go into detail, but the cannon was later named the Orgasmatron 3000 and was sold to bored, rich nobles across Golarion! Lucky that transpired, because otherwise, I would not have been able to pay for my tuition the following year! Er, I'm rambling, aren't I? Age will do that to you, my furry friend! My point is, even out of the most bumbling and embarrassing situations that happen to us all, there is some lesson to be learned there, so do not be so ashamed. Oh, and if you see your dad again, ask him about his early days as a merc and tell him old Mugalow says hi!"
"Consider it done. I will grant your friend's request, Araden. Now I understand that you all were compensated by Lady DeSoras? I can show you to our general store. We have nearly every item that those exploring the Wastes will need. Now, if you will follow me, I will show you the way." the Shieldmarshal says. As you follow him out of the tavern, you walk with him across the street into a building titled Mugalow's Emporium. "Now, Mugalow is one of the finest members of our little community here. He's a formidable wizard and a Boggard to boot, but he's quite sane. At least, enough for him to not turn us all into toads, burn the village down, or, at least as far as I know, copulate with reanimated corpses, so despite how he appears, try to be respectful. In the Mana Wastes, an angered arcanist is a danger to everyone, even themselves. Now that we have that out of the way, let me introduce you to him." Varis says as he opens the swinging double doors. As you walk into Mugalow's Emporium, you smell sweet spices like something out of a Qadiran bazaar. Your eyes take a moment to shift from the glaring Wasteland sun to the somewhat dimmer shop. As your eyes refocus, you look around the room, draped in regal blue and purple banners with golden arcane runes stitched into them, the carpet a spiraling Vudran mandala, and the shelves lined with items both mundane, technological, magical, and technomagical. The shop's counter bears a strange small brazier burning with a blue flame. Behind the counter is a hunched figure in black hooded robes, it's back bent and crooked. A soothing, nearly sibilant, voice speaks from underneath the hood [b]"Ah, welcome travelers. I am Mugalow, finest wizard ever produced by the Boggards of. I have taken the liberty of casting some rather... invasive divinations into your pasts. Quite fascinating. I hope you will forgive me for that small indulgence, but I simply could not resist when I heard you were helping our situation. I would have offered to help, but my time in the Wastes has been... harsh to me.". Mugalow pulls back his voluminous hood, revealing a twisted visage. His frog-like face is old and withered, covered in large pustules that leak a glowing blue fluid. His left eye is about twice the size of his right eye and seems to melt partially into a 3rd eye just above the left. He has an odd patch of silvery fur growing on the top of his bulbous head. "So, what are you interested in purchasing? I have an array of fine goods from all corners of the world. Let me know what you are interested in and I'll see if I have anything in stock.".
Varis looks at the gunslinger, "I will allow this and one other energy pistol of some sort. That would be fair, I think. Are we in accord?".
"Excellent choices, my friends, I hope these weapons serve you well." Varis says after each person had chose their weapon. Upon hearing Araden's request, the Shieldmarshal seems curious, "Another companion? Oh, you must mean whoever is controlling that little robot! Yes, I suppose I can, but now that I think about it, there may be something better I can give, something more on par with your own weapons.". The Shieldmarshal reaches underneath the metal table to retrieve a weapon case. He places the case on the table and opens it, revealing a small gun of strange design made out of a silvery metal about the size of a child's hand. "There was a man that came wearing a strange black and white suit a few years ago inquiring if we had seen any Zooplarkian Aliens from the Skriksolus System and if anyone knew a way to get back to somewhere called Planet Earth. The man was clearly deranged, but we pointed him to Alkenstar, since they might know what. He thanked us and told us to look out for a similarly attired man named Kay. He then handed me this gun. I was examining it when he grabbed my arm and asked to to 'Watch where the hell I was pointing that damn thing'. I asked him what you call this gun, he replied 'The Noisy Cricket'. Then he left for Alkenstar. I tried the gun out, but swiftly locked it away in here. Don't let this gun deceive you, it packs quite a punch.".
"Well Volk, this is some form of Nanosuit worn by one of the Splitear's men. The gnoll wearing it had some form of military training, as he snuck into the Shieldmarshal HQ and had slaughtered over half of our squad before we were able to take him down. The suit itself is made of some sort of unknown material which regenerates both itself and it's host, making them nearly unkillable. The hands are outfitted by some strange plasma claw sheathes, which are held in place by some kind of containment field. You activate them by pressing the button of the backs of the gauntlets. Since the crystal buttons cannot be removed, I surmise that they have an infinite, or nearly so, power source. All in all, I think they would compliment your skills quite well.".
"So you wish to know about the Phlogiston Cannon, Dr.Guthrak? Very well. This little beauty is an alchemist's fire fueled engine of destruction. The cannon's tank holds several vials of alchemist's fire, which are ejected from the cannon when the trigger is held, being expelled by air pressure. After reaching the nozzle, which you see there, the elemental fire crystals within catalyze the chemicals, expelling a stream of liquid flame hot enough to melt stone. As far as I can tell, each tank holds 5 doses of alchemist's fire, and are refillable, assuming alchemist's fire can be obtained or created. I'm sure a man of science can appreciate this beauty, yes?"
"Excellent choice, Imak, you have chosen the M4N0P3N3R Autoaxe, a weapon for the true melee enthusiast. With Carbonite blades molecularly sharpened by psion weaponsmith from Alkenstar, capable of spinning at speeds of 3,000 RPM, this weapon can turn an enemy in plate armor into canned sushi.".
"Of course you may, Araden. What you're looking at is the Alkenstar Death Angel Model Sniper Rifle, a gun worthy of it's namesake. This gun fires half pound bullets filled with depleted Lazurite, which is weak enough to not reanimate the dead, but still strong enough to shred adamantine like paper. The rounds are propelled by a mana field propulsion system built into the rifle itself. Altogether one of the most powerful weapons in the Wastes. A very expensive weapon, if you were to buy one, costing upwards of 200,000 gold pieces. Lucky for you that this weapon was scavenged off of an unknown traveler's corpse about a year ago.".
You should like the cache. Remembered what you wanted and added an AUTOAXE!
Sheriff Varis holds out his arm and motions towards the tavern doors, an open invitation to come see the unlocked weapons cache the town has saved up. "This way, if you will." he says as he turns around and walks in the tavern. As you walk down the old plankboards into the Wasted Wyrm's basement, you look past the casks of alcohol and see a massive circular steel door with a wheel and key lock opened, Sheriff Varis standing inside. You walk in and see that the Sheriff was not joking, the cache seems large enough to outfit a small army, certainly every citizen living in Little Alkenstar. There are around 100 weapons altogether, but a few seem to stand out to you. On a large metal table, there sits an autoaxe, it's circular array of blades shining against the beaming light in the room. Also on the table is a strange looking, rifle-like gun studded with several hoses and a massive crysteel container on the back, filled with a glowing orange fluid. You recognize it as a phlogiston cannon, a gun that shoots pressurized alchemist's fire over a wide area. On the wall hang several firearms of interest including laser and plasma pistols and rifles, their arcane crystal power cores glowing with a faint light from within the guns. In a glass case on the wall is a large rifle made of black metal, nearly as tall as a man, which bears the words 'Alkenstar Deathangel Model Sniper Rifle'. And in the far right corner of the room stands a mannequin wearing a strange suit of some unknown fibrous material similar to rubber, it's hands covered in strange clawlike gauntlets, with glowing blue crystal set on the back of each gauntlet. "Well, fellas, take your pick. Each of you can only pick one, however, as we still may have to defend ourselves. Let me know which one catches you eye.".
That's fine guys, I'll roll when we have random encounters lol. Imak, there is a general store and being the Mana Wastes, general stores are pretty much 1 stop adventurer shops. And do you plan on shopping before or after the visit to the cache?
Everyone Linked to Unamatrix/FIDO and the Bot Himself:
As Unamatrix/FIDO's communication devices have invisible, painless nano-tendrils that insert into the nervous system of the ring bearers, I will allow sounds AND images from Unamatrix/FIDO to be transferred, as they desire to transmit. Since the robots cannot smell, taste, or feel, these sensations cannot be transferred, obviously. Sound good to everyone? After all, FIDO is a scout bot, and scout bots would be somewhat underpowered if they were not able to transmit their perceptions in a meaningful way.
The Half-Elf woman looks up at the Half-Orc cousins, still somewhat shaken by the harrowing experience. She closes her eyes, stands up straight, and takes a moment to gain her composure. After a second or two, she opens her eyes, looking calmer now, "I'm fine now, gentleman, though I would not be if it were not for you and your compatriots' bravery. My name is Lady Evaline DeSoras of Little Alkenstar.". Upon speaking her name, she courtesies like a true noblewoman. "I was just on my way to the general store to browse around. I have some gold with me that I was going to buy some things with, but I think that you all would gain more out of it than I would. Consider this part of your payment for saving my life.". She reaches down and unattaches the large coin purse that was fastened to her slender belt and hands it to Dr.Guthrak, "I trust you will split this with your compatriots?". As he reaches for the coin pouch, he sees the glint of platinum from the opening in the bag. Shieldmarshal Varis opens the tavern doors once the noise dies down. "Twice today, you have proven your courage: once in word and again in deed. It appears that we were more fortunate you all wandered into town today than we first thought!" he says with obviously high spirits. "While you were fighting those beasts, Trixxy and I were opening the weapons cache that we had stored in the basement, in case the town ever had to make a final stand from there, because sadly, the tavern is the best fortified place in town. For your continuing help with this situation, I feel that you are entitled to some help. If you will follow me shortly, I will allow each of you to select a weapon from our cache to aid you.".
Imak's Knowledge:Arcana Check:
Although undead spawned by Lazurite radiation have rapid healing powers, once the have reached a critical point of damage, they fall over dead, just like any other beast. Volk's Sense Motive Check: Judging by the robot's non-hostility and the fact that it just helped slay the beast you just fought, you determine it to be friendly.
Thanks guys, that means a lot considering I haven't online GM'd in 4 years! For the combat descriptions, I just think it's a better way of showing damage, as opposed to just 'You hit for x amount of damage on creature 1'. I'm glad you enjoy this aspect, because it's often fun coming up with ways to describe it correctly. As for unusual spell effects, just you wait and see. I have something VERY special planned *Rubs hands together and laughs evily*! In regards to the Lazurite Ghouls and Abominations, the latter of which you did not get to see in it's full power, I will post the templates here if someone wants me to, as I love sharing my home brew material! With Unamatrix Zero's drone, I just had a flash of inspiration and am weaving some story together on that. Araden, no problem, I was just itching to post, so to speak. As for my comment, I must have mistaken you for Thomas LeBlanc, who wrote a neat article in the Pathways e-magazine. I thought that was your name from that Google doc you opened on the Victorian setting, but I probably had a mix up with the names lol. Also, sorry I haven't added any input on that lately, I'm compiling a lot of stuff to just mass paste into the file in about a month or so. Well, in a few minutes I an going to look over my research hypothesis and make sure that there are no holes in my logic, so when I submit the IRB, my proposal won't be torn to shreds lol. Because of this, I will post tomorrow around noon after class. My apologies for this small hiccup in posting.
So everyone, while we're waiting on Araden, how was the first combat? Questions, comments, concerns, million dollar job offers? A pet RadScorpion perhaps? Also, everyone, let's put our calloused, ghoul entrail-covered hands together for our newest PC Unamatrix Zero, currently proxying in his faithful companion, FIDO!
All of a sudden, you hear a strange voice in the air "Decloaking FIDO Model 126.9. Target identified. Analyzing situation... Loading combat diagnostic... Commencing attack in 3...2...1...". Ten feet above and to the right of the massive abomination, a spherical white robot around three feet in diameter with a red eye lense fades into view and fires a beam of red energy at the beast, the laser burning through the monster's necrotic flesh, leaving a smoking swath of burnt flesh. Araden levels his shining revolvers at the flailing abomination. Time seems to stand still for him as he aims. He takes a deep breath and fires a shot from the revolver in his right left hand. The bullet practically screams through the air, connecting in the side of the abomination and travelling through it, splattering the tissue connecting the two flailing halves as a whole, spraying the Half-Orc cousins with sticky gore. Araden then levels his other pistol and fires another round in one of the beast's twisted heads, leaving a deep crimson stain covered in meaty bits where there was a head. Just to make sure it's dead.
No problem Volk! Just making sure that you were ok since that Boston Marathon shooting happened around when you stopped posting.
Good to have you back Araden! And no liver pickling yet, Imak! Only a few points and you would have been!
Araden's twin shots tear through the air towards the mutating beast. His first shot misses the beast by several feet, but his second shot makes it through the barrier and connects, taking half of one of the composite creature's faces with it. Dr. Guthrak curses in frustration at his bomb missing it's mark. He draws a bladed wrench and attempts to swing it at the creature, but it catches on his labcoat, grinding his swing to a halt. Thinking quickly, he shouts a warning to his comrades, telling them to lure the beast out of town. As he finishes his shout to his comrades, he begins to feel faint and, looking down at his arm, he sees that his veins have turned black and his skin has several patchy black spots like his skin has been scorched. Volk follows the good doctor's suggestion and runs on all fours towards the edge of town. As he runs, he feels weakened and, looking at his fur, sees a few strands of fur have gone bleached white, as if drained of vitality. Imak shrugs off the intense feelings of weakness he feels and swings his blade in a massive arc. His blade connects, cleaving the emerging abomination nearly in twain. It screams from it's four mouths in pain, a terrifying sound that fills the air. Surprisingly, the massive wound dealt to the beast did not kill it, despite the ungodly amounts of foul blood washing the area and the fact that the creature's entire upper body was cleaved in twain. Ropy strands of ichor covered muscle begin to grow and bridge the gap between the two halves of the split beast, slowly pulling it back together. The creature flails madly, it's tentacles swinging through the air. Dr.Guthrak... is slammed by a tentacle, knocking him to the ground with a sickening crunch, unconscious and barely clinging to life. Guthrak's brother Imak... manages to duck under another tentacle just in time to avoid a crushing strike.
Dr.Guthrak, I know, because if it was a permanent increase, you guys would be so screwed lol! Imak, don't feel so bad, you still hit it! Now pray to your mug of ale that you kill it lol! Also guys, Araden will be back tomorrow, so I'm going to wait on posting. I was going to bot him, but I didn't want to rob him of the opportunity to play. Be ready tomorrow though!
Just as a side note, the size increase did not take effect until the 2nd round of melding. The first round just provided the extra protection. No shenanigans, good doctor, the melding process confers a +10 deflection bonus to AC and an SR of 15! This bonus fades once the creatures' transformation is complete. Also, once complete, the creature is a Lazurite Abomination with completely different stats. You didn't think I was going to make this easy, did you lol? Also, after combat is over, I will be posting rules for Lazurite Ghoul templates and Lazurite Abomination stats, as a keepsake of you guys' first combat. Just waiting on Volk, then I'll bot Araden and I will post the next turn.
I just kidding about the natural 1's lol. And it's nothing against half-orcs lol. By the way, reply is up for the last turn and I have a SPOILER for you in the post!
Imak:
You may tell them on the next turn, but be warned, you only have one more turn to put the beast down, a feat that is difficult, but possible due to the beast's increased AC and climbing HP total from the synthesis. Araden's thunderous shots rang through the air like thunder. His first shot, leveled at one of the twisted gnolls standing over the dead gnoll, appears spot on but, as it almost connects, the evergrowing light from the crystal semi-solidifies into a semi-material barrier. The round smashes into the barrier and falls to the ground, smashed like a piece a twisted scrap metal. His second shot, leveled at the other mutated gnoll, meets with a similar results, shattering upon the semi-tangible barrier of azure light. Dr. Guthrak hefts another bomb towards the mutated gnolls. As the bomb arcs towards them, it suddenly shatters against the glowing barrier barrier, flames cascading out to scorch the gnolls.
Dr.Guthrak:
Your Knowledge: Arcana check reveals that these creatures are Lazurite Ghouls, undead created by either overexposure to Lazurite Radiation or by something dying while embedded with lazurite crystal. The creatures heal very fast, particularly when near each other. To make matters worse, they can meld with others of their kind to form a dreaded Lazurite Abomination, a massive beast with regenerative powers capable of astounding levels of destruction and possessing a curious immunity to force energies. Volk dashes towards the nearest gnoll and swings with a mighty roundhouse kick to one of the mutant's head, but is suddenly stopped by the barrier, the clashing forces nearly knocking him to the ground. Imak dashes towards one of the mutants, his sword cutting the sun-scorched earth, and swings high at the beast. His sword manages to cleave the creature in twain, gore showering high into the air and coating the ground in filth. As the last remaining mutant touches the mangled remains of the massive gnoll, the creatures begin to fuse with a horrifying speed, twisting flesh twining together. The creatures' flailing limbs also attach to the other mutant corpses and draws them in, their flesh melting on to the rapidly forming creature, which has expanded to over fifteen feet high! Numerous tentacles, claws, and less easily identified parts begin to grow on the abomination. Whatever is happening, it most definitely can't be good and judging by how rapidly this fell transformation is occurring, you know that you do not have long before the fusion process is complete.
No problem guys. I apologize for no post yesterday. Apparently, Paizo ate my post lol. Going to start saving the text before I post it to avoid this problem again. Imak and Guthrak, did you know that the worst sin in an RPG is a natural 1? And it's a scientific probability heresy as well, seeing as how many people roll them at the WORST of times! Just butting in the conversation with some gamer/player character wall breaking info! MWAHAHAHA! Araden, traveling for business or pleasure? Or is the business your pleasure? Or is your pleasure the business lol? In all seriousness though, when do you want me to bot you if you haven't posted by then?
Spoiler:
Your knowledge about the arcane reveals that the creatures are Lazurite Ghouls, created when a creature embedded with Lazurite crystals dies. Lazurite Ghouls have the unsettling ability to meld forms with others of their kind, forming dangerous Lazurite Abominations which are capable of astounding acts of destruction and possessing incredible powers of regeneration. Said melding occurs extremely fast, occuring in only a matter of moments. Even worse, the energy emitted by the Lazurite crystals covering the creatures during these transformations cause massive amounts of Lazurite radiation within a small proximity and forms a semitangible barrier that is difficult to penetrate.
As he moves forward, Araden fires a second shot through the air and rips through the giant gnoll's chest, crystal shards flying through the air upon impact, making it reel backwards from the attack. Where the bullet hit is now a gaping wound gushing the creature's noisome blood. Moving forward, the good Dr. Guthrak throws a bottle of strange liquid which arcs through the air, slamming into a mutated gnoll and subsequently exploding. Once the smoke clears, the creature's body smokes, it's left arm missing and the entire left side of it's body scorched by the flames. The massive gnoll sprints rapidly, closing the short distance between it and Volk, it's wounds slowly being healed by the strange crystal growths across it's body. The creature takes a massive swipe at Volk with it's oversized claw... which the Kodiak adroitly dodges. The creature snarls in a savage rage, blood-flecked drool oozing from it's mouth. The twisted gnoll next to Imak swipes with it's crystal coated right claw and left green tentacled arm... and misses with both, the half-orc twisting and dodging the swipes gracefully. Volk's meaty leg trips the massive gnoll, making it fall into the dust. He then leaps and slams an elbow into the creature's chest, it's bones making a sickening crunch. He then bites the gnoll's throat and swipes at it with both claws. The first claw rends a massive rift in the creature's arm and the second strikes it's neck so hard that it snaps. The mutated beast falls limp, dead for a second time. Imak's blade swings, scillintating with light reflecting from the burning sun, into the twisted mutant's chest. When it leaves, an arc of foul blood sprays from the massive gouge in creature's chest, dying the ground a sickly green-black where it touches. The gnoll hit by the explosion looks at what remains of it's arm, and the bone and musculature from the severed arm begins to regrow, interlaced with crystal. The two mutants turn towards the massive one slain by Volk only seconds earlier. They plod towards it's corpse and when they reach it, begin to reach down towards it. As they do, the crystal coating their forms begins to flare brightly!
He will be once the gnoll takes it's turn. As for the spiked vests, I know. Will post my reply shortly.
The shot fired from Araden's barrel cuts through the air, a whizzing piece of Wasteland death. The flash of steel tears into the massive gnoll's shoulder, shattering the strange crystal and leaving a whole dripping an unwholesome black and green ichor. The creature turns it's head towards the gunslinger, features registering no pain, only a mindless rage. As the mutagen's effects take hold of him, Guthrak's bulky body seems to move more smoothly. As he pulls the empty syringe from his thigh, his purple skin deepens in color as if heavily bruised and his flesh seems to creak like leather as it grows ever thicker and harder. His gaze seems to blur with a mild disorientation and he slightly hunches over for a moment, but regains his posture almost instantly.
The massive bear-man Volk drops on all fours and charges furiously to place himself between the half-elf woman and the mutated gnolls, kicking up a cloud of dust as he does so. His hulking form lands in front of the woman, his form rearing up to shield her with flesh and bone. The gnolls shift their focus from the woman to the Kodiak, eyeing him hungrily.
Imak runs towards the gnolls, running towards the nearest one, a rather small gnoll whose twisted face looks vaguely like a half-melted candlestick. He runs surprisingly smooth despite all the shots he downed in The Wasted Wyrm, a green blur across the battlefield. As he nears the gnoll he draws his sword with undeniable flourish, prepared for battle!
As you exit the saloon, you swiftly scan the area for the source of the screams. As you look towards the town hall, no more than one hundred feet away from you, you see the four gnolls executed earlier, torn nooses still hanging from their necks, walking towards a blonde half-elf woman in a noblewoman's dress. It is her screams which you heard. As the gnolls draw nearer to the woman, who seems practically stunned with fear, you see a strange glowing blue crystal slowly growing on the bodies of the gnolls. The crystal radiates tiny wisps of black mist which coil menacingly around them. They shamble towards the woman, their faintly glowing eyes portraying a savage hunger.
The strange two headed gnome Trixxy gives a nod to each of you, with both her heads, at every thank you she hears, "Now ya don't need tuh get all provincial with me fellas! Yer the ones who are helping us!". Shieldmarshal Varis looks to the group with a look of obvious relief. " Well spoken, Trixxy. You cannot even begin to realize how much we appreciate your help, strangers. Kindness is a rare commodity in the Wastes. If you can take care of the Redfangs, I assure you that it will not go unrewarded. Now, the Redfangs attacks have been coming from the northeast, towards one of the old Nexian laboratories used during the Mana Wars. Judging by the frequency of the attacks, I would say that the gnoll camp is only 2 or 3 days away. I'll have Trixxy prepare a few days worth of food and water for you to bring with you. Best of luck to you. And if I may ask, what are your names? I have lost my manners in the recent chaos, it seems.". After an hour or so, Trixxy comes out of the back rooms with a large sack of delicious smelling food and several waterskins full to the brim. "I hope this food serves ya well out in the Wastes boys! Y'all come back safe now, ya hear or you'll break our little ol' heart!" Trixxy's two heads say in perfect synchronicity with one another. Spoiler: Knowledge: Arcana- You recognize the stange piece of technology as a reproduction of a powerful explosive device used in the Mana Wars known as a Mana Matrix Grenade, capable of creating powerful explosive blasts using latent arcana energy, which are channeled into it's starmetal latticework and amplified several hundred-fold. [This is a single use thrown item that has a 60 ft. burst explosion and deals 35d6 points of force damage to all targets within the affected are, no saves allowed. Appraise- Using your knowledge of the device and combining it with what you know about the market, you realize that the item is worth several thousand gold, though an exact price point cannot be determined as of yet. To an adventurer such as yourself, the device is near priceless due to it's overwhelming power. You realize that perhaps it would be a good idea to keep the device, because who knows what you'll run into in the Wastes. Craft: Alchemy- Nothing is revealed or possible with this skill. Craft: Engineering- In examining the device, you get an idea of how to build a new one, though it would cost thousands of gold in materials to reconstruct.
As you step forward, the Shieldmarshal proclaims "Thank the gods for you all! Now come inside and I'll explain to you the situation in a bit more detail.". He motions to a large building bearing a weathered sign featuring a cartoonish dragon holding a mug of ale bearing the name 'The Wasted Wyrm', obviously indicating that the place is a sort of saloon. You step inside of the nearly empty building and the Shieldmarshal motions for you to sit down. As you take a seat, he does the same and calls out to the buxom two-headed blonde gnome behind him,"Trixxy, a shot of Gutshaker for my friends here, put it on my tab.". The strange mutated gnome nods and walks to the bar and begins to prepare the drinks. "Now, on to business. As a town near the edge of the Wastes, a lot of trade used to come through our town, but such opportunies have dried up since the recent attacks. For a little over a month, Little Alkenstar has been raided by a group of gnoll mutants called the Redfangs. Led by a particularly savage gnoll by the name of Splitear Wilk, they have slaughtered all of my fellow Shieldmarshals in town and have driven the town onto the brink of collapse. Now, Wilk is not just some backwards savage. He is cunning and plans his raids against us with a level of tactical genius I have never seen, engaging in gorilla warfare, assassinations, alchemist-fire strapped Waste beasts, and augments his raids by using captured townsfolk as hostages and living shields. His bandits themselves utilize alchemical and technological items I have only seen in Alkenstar. For example, this device right here..."
Trixxy, the strange two-headed gnome, arrives with your drinks just as Varis finishes speaking.
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