What's This? What's THIS? Iron Gods IC

[Deathkeeper]

The town of Torch has long enjoyed a singular claim to prosperity-a violet flame that burns atop Black Hill in the heart of the town. This flame burns incredibly hot, and while it's usually the size of a bonfire, several times a year the fires spew up into the heavens in a brilliant beam of purple violence. These eruptions are presaged by about an hour of soft rumbling, giving nearby smiths a chance to retreat before the fires can consume them. At all other times, the violet energies allow for the smelting of all manner of skymetal. Torch is one of the only locations where skymetal can be worked with relative ease outside of Starfall, and its entire economy has risen around these purple flames, with traveling smiths coming from across Avistan to pay for the opportunity to work with them. Of course, Torch needs all the visiting trade and coin it can gather, for while the town's distance from Starfall makes it inconvenient for the Technic League to maintain a permanent presence here, the taxes and tariffs it charges the Numerian town on a monthly basis are significant. The town prospers, but the bulk of its income does not belong to it. Which is why, when the fires atop the hill suddenly go out, the town is in trouble.

The violet flame that has burned atop Black Hill for over a century has gone out, leaving a strangely seeping pit of rubble and bubbling fluids where the town's livelihood once glowed day and night.

But the town's trouble is twofold: Missing Councilor: Ever since Councilor Khonnir Baine, one of Torch's more powerful wizards and a well-liked individual (and possibly your mentor), went missing on his second expedition under Black Hill, the citizens of the nervous town have edged closer to outright panic. With their hands full handling the growing refuse and waste problems in town now that their primary disposal method is gone, the town council is eager to find out what happened to Khonnir and rescue him. They've made public a reward of 4,000 gp to any group that can recover Khonnir's body; if he can be returned alive, they've promised to throw in the scroll of resurrection they've been holding on to in case they need to revive him. Interested parties are invited to speak to the council at Town Hall.

Siri should be familiar with the circumstances under which her master went missing. Khonnir Baine discovered the signs of unusual traffic on the banks of Weeping Pond, and shortly thereafter, the submerged tunnel that provides access to several heretofore unknown tunnels under Black Hill. His emergence from the caves with a deactivated semi-humanoid automaton sparked worries that something strange might be going on in the caverns, but when he failed to return from his second expedition a few days ago, those worries turned to outright fear. Several other adventuring parties have gone missing in the caves, and Torch finds itself running short on new volunteers. The automaton is currently stashed at his workshop.

And even more bizarrely- recently, many of the citizens of Torch have awoken with terrible migraines. Nothing too serious, but rather unpleasant and without obvious cause. It's only happened once to Siri, but she can surely attest it wasn't very pleasant.

Now, either you've lived here for years, or you were drawn here, perhaps to Numeria as a whole for its mysteries and only more recently to Torch itself, or were perhaps beckoned here at the behest of a local friend. Either way, right at this moment, it is noon at the center of the town of Torch. For all intents and purposes, you've already heard of each other and agreed to team up, even if this is your first time meeting. You may establish the specifics among yourselves, or leave it simple.

Regardless, what do you do?

[Halae]

Siri is easily one of Torch's strangest residents. Short and small even for a goblin, the little alchemist has skin of moss green and brown hair, the tips dyed blue. A pair of glasses from having her nose in books for so long, the smell of various alchemical processes on her, and the various pouches on her belt say everything they need to about what she does for a living. Not that any of the townsfolk had ever said no to her fireworks during festival times.

"We don't have a ton of information here," she starts, "We have the entrance location, and can probably get down to wherever we need to go... but it'll be dangerous. There's lots of people that went down there and never came back out; the sooner we can head down to find Mayor Baine, the better."

Her huge ears twictch, and her right hand scratches at a glass vial on her waist. She cares about Khonnir Baine quite a bit, and him having gone missing is a serious problem. It's clear she wants to head into the tunnels immediately if possible.

[blackouttwo]

Makroo's only reaction is to stare at Siri with an absolutely deadpan expression on his face. The kobold musketman is standing there looking at Siri, gun slung across his back by a strap, his tail flat against the ground, with a face that communicates 'REALLY?' surprisingly well.

Mak and Mr. Baine...didn't frequently get along. He had only met Siri's mentor on a few occasions and the two had never actually come to like one another. Mak wasn't enthused the wizard was missing, but at the same time, he wasn't enthused with the prospect of forming a rescue team when several other groups of volunteers had already disappeared, likely dead.

He sighs.

"Do we have to?"

[Derjuin]

The steel-clad feline creature towered over the smaller volunteers, an immense sword strapped to her back with a metal ring. White fur could be spotted around her neck and head, though the rest of her was covered in some layer of armor. Four horns snaked away from her head, ending in hooked points. Though she appeared fearsome, there was an air of stability and confidence about her.

"Affirmative. We need to do this quickly, or the Councilor's life may well be forfeit." She looks to Makroo, and gives his question a loud, clanky shrug. "Something must've drawn you here - whether it was a sense of duty, a lust for glory, or the gold reward, you now have your answer."

"As for the danger" - she cracks her knuckles through leather finger-gloves, a sharp-toothed grin making its way across her face - "that's what I'm here for. When do we move out?"

[Lost_Deep]

"Now, I hope!"

As if to round out the group, Melick Norban is a human, but a short and thin one. New to the city, she had signed up for this expedition before she had even heard about the troubles it was connected to. Hearing about them dampened her spirits a little, but she is still almost overeager to get going.

[Madmal]

"Yes, we have to. Councilor Baine's knowledge and expertise are a valuable asset to Torch's welfare..." the curvy and odd-looking woman sitting over a crate chimes in, eyes fixed on a book. "I was hoping to inquire with him about this affliction that seems to strike at random, it's a shame he had to go himself again... And the reward is always useful, even split, the amount of money is considerable. Why, it'd certainly ease my income options..." She blinks and raises her head, giving a awkward stare at the goblin. "Oh. Apologies, Siri. I'm forgetting some of us have more personal reasons."

[Halae]

Siri frowns, but nods, "We have to move quickly," She says, and then turns to a nearby rooftop and whistles. What peeks its head over the side of the building is none other than Screechie, a vulture the size of a full grown human. His beak clicks, and he moves down to land beside Siri, who climbs onto his back, "I'll meet you at the entrance," She says, and the bird takes off towards the entrance to the caves the little goblin's mentor got lost in.

[Derjuin]

Maim shakes her head. "See you there, Siri," she grunts to the wayward alchemist, before turning to the rest of the group and hailing them toward the caverns. "Let's go, then. Try to keep up," she says, lurching forward to run on all-fours. Though a seemingly awkward gait, she moves with a speed unusual for someone clad in heavy armor.

[blackouttwo]

Mak just kind of narrows his eyes as the rest of their newfound merry band gallivants off.

"Dammit."

And so he turns to follow the giant cat-woman, musket slung across his back, jogging lightly to keep up.

"If it wasn't for the tunnels apparently having objects of interest to people in certain academic circles, I'd say no." He muttered indignantly. Really, what kind of archaeologist would he be if that part didn't at least pique his interest?

Not that it's likely to matter much, the Technic League being who they are.

[Lost_Deep]

Melick rushes out as well, not wasting any words. No reason to hang around here, that's for sure!

[Deathkeeper]

You gather yourselves at the mouth of the caves. Your group gathered some odd looks by the locals, but none too insulting.
The outside of the cave shows some traffic, but nothing inconsistent with what you know about who has gone missing there. Other than that, it's a very ordinary looking cave mouth, its light only extending so far into the structure.

You may discuss your plan among yourselves. Only most of you can see in the dark. Who will lead your brave expedition?

[Derjuin]

Maim

Maim crosses her arms across her chest, gazing into the caverns. "I'll take point. Mak, you can see in the dark, right? You can cover our rear." She speaks to the group, though she doesn't take her eyes off the lightless cave beyond. Letting her arms down, she turns about. "Actually, who here can't see in the dark? Is it just the humans?" Maim looks to both Melick and ...the woman whose name currently escapes her. Why did humans have to have such weird names?

[blackouttwo]

"On it."

Mak double-checks his musket to ensure it's loaded, and guarantees that his pack is open, to give him easy access to cartridges. "We run into company down there, it's gonna get ugly fast. Hope you guys with the surfacer-vision are ready to clear my line of fire." Wouldn't do to have a friendly-fire incident because someone in the group who couldn't see in the dark stumbled into his fire-lane and took a musket cartridge to the knee.

"So, do we have a game plan besides 'go in, find the mayor, get out?' Because I'd like to highlight that we might want one."

[Halae]

Siri looks over the group and scratches her chin, "Mak or I would be good for scouting ahead while the rest of us stay with the group. We're both small and can see in the dark. you want to or should I, Mak?" siri asks the kobold, one of her overlarge ears twitching, "That way We can leave a light source with the group without completely giving ourselves away."

[Lost_Deep]

"Oh, yeah, that's likely smart. I think that Mak should lead since he has that weapon, right?"

It's a firearm, Melick. You're not that oblivious.

[blackouttwo]

"It's not meant for close-combat, and it'll take a while to reload. I'll take point, but I need someone who can swing a sword to keep close." Mak turns to peer into the darkness, and moves in, musket raised to fire if necessary. This is stupid, this is stupid, this is stupid, I'm gonna die and it's gonna be Siri's fault.

I better get something good out of this. A published paper or something.

[Deathkeeper]

And so, the formation settled, the group starts to head off into the cavern. A bit unpleasantly, the entrance is partially flooded from the stream you had to wade through to get here, so there won't be any solace for those who don't like wet boots for a bit longer.
Dampness hangs in the air of this cave, condensing into heavy moisture on the slick, stone walls. The calm, dark waters wind around to the east up north, along a stony, soot-scarred beach.
A five-foot-high ledge sporting several stalagmites rises to the east, beyond which a low-ceilinged cave beckons.

For the heck of it, gimme a Perception check everyone.

[Deathkeeper]

Mak, Jeska, and Screechie all hear the soft clicking that signals something bad coming near. Four large beetles, each the size of a small cat, crawl out from cracks in the ground and wall, hissing loudly and erupting into bio-luminescent light, charging straight at you.

Everyone roll initiative. The above three characters will get to move during the surprise round.

However, if someone could PM me with details on their preferred means of getting a battle-map up, that would be excellent, as my continued requests in chat have gone ignored.

[Deathkeeper]

The beetles rolled Initiative 18. They go first for surprise round.
Two beetles crawl out of holes at the East wall, one charging for the armored feline, the other for the goblin.
Another appears at the kobold's feet, snapping at his ankles, while the last emerges from the sand to fly at the face of the young android.

The first beetle flails its mandibles feebly at Maim's armor, unable to understand that it cannot pierce it. (9)
The second flies directly in Siri's face, latching on to cheek and cutting painfully. (Natural 20, 14 fails to confirm) 3 Damage

The third's attack fails as Makroo's reflexes carry his leg far out of the insect's reach with a simple motion (13)
The fourth bites at Jeska's leg, but her leather armor prevents any real damage to her or the garment.

Makroo, Jeska, and Screechie can all go now.
Prototype Battle Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IzIOfGxy42qOYVqVIEjqxOxvoc27o51-JWIrd2xwyno/edit?usp=sharing) Please note that the blue water counts as difficult terrain for non-flyers, while the sand does not.
Bugs: 18
Screechie: 17
Mel: 17
Maim: 13
Mak: 10
Jeska: 8
Siri: 4

[blackouttwo]

Mak continues backing away as he gets beetle-mandibles swung in his general direction. "Whoa! OK, shoulda seen this coming!" He steps back about five feet, and raises his musket to take a shot. BOOM. The sound of the musket firing sounds like a damn cannon in the confines of the cave.

A string of curses in Draconic as he fumbles with the musket immediately afterwards to reload indicates two things: One, that he's really, really mad about nearly getting hit foot bitten off, and two, that he's going to take a while reloading because ****ing thing takes forever even with the cartridges **** **** **** **** ****

[Deathkeeper]

Surprising few, the gunshot is enough to shatter the beetle's carapace. His feet are splattered with bug guts.

Meanwhile, the beetle attacking Siri flies out of range of the vulture's beak as it makes a swipe.

[Halae]

Screechie, offended by this horrible creature cutting his mistress' face, attempts to bite at the beetle!

Sadly, he underestimated the thickness of the beetle's shell, and his beak fails to find purchase.

((Siri's actions will come when she actually has the chance to act.))

[Madmal]

"Annoying vermin." Jeska crouches slightly and swipes at the beetle, knocking it slightly. "Shoo. I may need some assistance."

[Deathkeeper]

Jeska's unarmed strike provokes an AoO. However, the beetle is too stupid to realize this and forgets to attack her (Natural 1).

It does act on its own turn, biting at her hand. Its poor mobility makes it miss by several inches, however. (8)
The beetle attacking Maim continues to idly chew at her armor, trying to figure out how to pierce it. (11)
Siri's detaches from her face, and this time is unable to repeat its attack, whizzing past her instead. (14)

[Lost_Deep]

Melick yelps as things appear from the darkness and then suddenly there's combat going on. Okay right she's read about this. She casts mage armor, and then gets her crossbow out. Hopefully those two hours that she wasted at that shooting range that one time a month or two ago are going to pay off today!

[Halae]

"Screechie, kill!" not that the buzzard needs encouragement, but it helps Siri for the moment as she raises a hand to her face and steps away from the beetles. One goes down to her belt with its many pouches, intending to pull out a small healing potion for herself while Screechie attacks.

the buzzard lunges for the beetle again, hoping to strike this time.

Screechie Attack: [roll0]
Screechie Damage: [roll1]

Siri's cure light wounds on self: [roll2]
Siri also took a 5-foot step away from the beetles, into a space not threatened by any of them, so no AoO

[Derjuin]

Maim

"S'why I recommended the formation that I did," Maim pointedly announces, drawing her immense greatsword. "Idiot bugs don't know when to scurry away," she growls, swinging her blade at the nearest pest.


[roll0] for [roll1] slashing damage at Beetle2

[blackouttwo]

Mak finishes reloading his musket and whirls around to take a shot at the bug trying to attack Jeska. "Jeska, back up! Get clear!" Another roar like a cannon echoing off the cave walls as the cartridge fires. He scrambles to reload, but he won't be able to do that until next round, unfortunately, because muskets take forever to load.

This is why the little kobold wants a laser at some point. Those are so much less finicky.

[Deathkeeper]

Screechie's attack puts a nasty gash on the beetle's carapace. It hisses in pain.

Maim's swing goes wide, the hovering target being just a bit too small to be struck by the blade.

The beetle attacking Jeska falls to the ground, twitching. It's alive, but not conscious. Or at least as conscious as a mindless insect can really get.

[Madmal]

Jeska moves slightly to the side at Mak's shot. "Appreciated." She pulls out her bow and then tries to stomp on the beetle.

Unarmed attack:
Unarmed damage: [Roll]1d

[Deathkeeper]

The beetle is kicked! It's still unconscious.

The other beetles continue to struggle, but neither are capable of piercing the armor of their targets (19 on Maim, 15 on Siri).

[blackouttwo]

Mak quickly reloads his musket (quickly being a relative term, it's a musket), and whirls to take a shot at the bug attacking Siri. "Get back, you stupid-" A loud and clear BANG, drowning out Mak's voice for a split second as he shouts at Siri and her pet. "-bird!" Considering how long it takes the ringing to kind of stop after firing in such confines, it's very likely he's been shouting quite a bit, even while he's reloading for another shot with the gun.

[Lost_Deep]

Mel loads the crossbow, and takes aim at the beetle attacking Maim.

[roll0]

[Deathkeeper]

The beetle attacking Siri explodes from the impact of the bullet, showering her and her vulture with bug ooze. Its legs don't even twitch.

[Derjuin]

Maim

"Damnable pests," Maim growls, shifting her grip and slashing at the beetle. "Just die already!"


[roll0] for [roll1] damage

[Halae]

With the beetle near Siri handled, Screechie lets out a warbling screech, and moves over to Maim's beetle, in order to flank the damn skittery thing. Then He bites it.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Then Siri follows it up, pulling the knife off her belt - a tiny thing made for her hands - and trying to stab the beetle. This will probably be painful for Maim. Not because Siri is likely to hit her, no. Siri is just an absolutely terrible knife fighter, to the point many would suggest she should just put the thing away before she hurts someone, likely herself.

[Madmal]

Jeska readies her bow and shoots an arrow a the little buzzing survivor "Frustration doesn't seem the best solution for this setback, Maim. Maybe try a reverse swing next time?".

[Deathkeeper]

The beetle hisses in pain at Screechie's bite, falling to the ground, and promptly skitters away, crawling into a crack in the wall in G6, using Withdraw to avoid AoO's.

[blackouttwo]

Mak reloads his musket again, and takes a quick look around the cave. "Any more of the damn things?!" This hasn't exactly been a pleasant excursion already. He was promised possible alien technology.

He gets bugs.

[Derjuin]

Maim

Maim lets out a surly chuckle. "You mistake annoyance for frustration," she snarls, whipping her sword back around. "Would I could, I'd trade my sword for a bug-smasher! Now get busy being dead, pest!"


Attacking Bug 2
LDK please roll this for me, the forum roller can go engorge itself on a length of meatloaf.

[Madmal]

"I see." Jeska walks out of the water, still keeping the bow in her hand "Still, we are not here for the bugs. Any risk of them coming back if we leave them be?"

(Making an Intelligence check instead of a Knowledge(nature) check: [roll0])

[Deathkeeper]

Maim probes capable of executing an unconscious bug. The insect's bodies continue to glow.

Beetles have very little sense of holding back weaker members of the nest. If there were more around, they'd likely have attacked, so there is likely not more than the one to worry about, plus perhaps one or two stragglers.

[Lost_Deep]

"Okay," Melick says, exhaling and putting her crossbow away. "Let's try this again? Do we have a map or something?"

[blackouttwo]

Mak, without actually answering the question, slings his musket across his back and moves for the small ledge to the east. "Come on. We'll come check this way first. We hit a dead end, we double back, plain and simple."

He then proceeds to try and climb the ledge, only to...

Fall to the ground after climbing about three feet.

Really, Mak, you're the archaeologist, you should be used to this crap.

[Halae]

"Get out of the way, Mak." Siri says bemusedly, and then climbs. She has fingers and feet built specifically for this sort of thing, and will be able to scale the small ledge like an expert as she heads forward. She intends to head to the right, as it's like the old spelunker's saying of always keeping your hand on the right wall. Or something.

[Derjuin]

Maim

Cracking knuckles under heavy gauntlets, Maim very slowly approaches the wall, scoping out the best places for each movement on her way up. As Siri practically flies by, she scoffs. "Yeah, you kids zip on up, I'll take my time with this."


Taking 20 to Ascend the wall, check is 17.

[Madmal]

Jeska takes her time climbing, awkwardly raising her leg and vaulting over the ledge. "I confess I was sincerely hoping there would be a straighter path towards our objective but-" *thump* "can't really say I'm surprised by this turn of events."

(Taking 20 on Climb check)

[Lost_Deep]

Melick patiently waits her turn, and then will take her time and climb the ledge when she can. She has no idea what she's doing, but she wants to see the inside of this place!

((I will also take 20 on this climb check, if we can. I thought that usually you can't take 10/20 on climb checks?))

[Deathkeeper]

Up the ledge they go, into the next room!

A collection of stalactites and stalagmites choke this lowceilinged cavern, making it difficult to squeeze between them. Matching stalactites close in from the five-foot-high ceiling, giving the impression of a maw of needle-like teeth bearing down on one another. Maim will have some trouble squeezing through, though the goblin and kobold should feel right at home. A dead half-orc sprawls on the ground near the cave's eastern entrance.

You may attempt a Knowledge local check to identify the body, and/or a Heal check to ascertain the cause of death.

[Halae]

"Does anybody recognize this guy?" Siri asks, looking over the half-orc with a queasy expression. She catches Screechie's harness to prevent him from starting to pick at the corpse

[Madmal]

Jeska crouches down and examines the corpse. "There has been many expeditions to this place since the torch went out, maybe a hired help?"

[Deathkeeper]

Jeska and Siri recognize the body as a local woman named Parda. They recall that Parda was a popular brawler in town, and that she was one of those who traveled with several thugs into the caverns. Almost everyone called her a friend, and many felt that her falling in with the thugs was going to be her end.
Turns out they were right.

Jeska is able to deduce from the corpse that she was killed by multiple stab wounds from a short-bladed weapon, like a dagger.

[Halae]

"Her name's Parda," Siri says, "Good friends with most people around town. Pretty terrible way to go." she scratches her head "We really kinda need to keep moving though. We can collect her on the way back out."

[Madmal]

"Stab wounds. Multiple." Jeska raises her head to face the party. "Short-bladed weapon. I suggest caution." Saying that, she stays still for a while, eyes slowly moving around the room.

Perception roll: [roll0]

[Deathkeeper]

There's nothing moving in the current cave they're in, and there's nothing on the floor to suggest it's had much traffic besides the footprints and blood of the half-orc, and one extra set which is likely the reason her armor is missing. The cave opens up into another more open room with some sand like the last one, though the angle of the exit isn't conducive to getting a good view of it from inside.

[Lost_Deep]

Melick frowns at the corpse. "So... there's someone in here fighting to keep the torch down?" she concludes. "Why? That doesn't make a lot of sense."

[Halae]

"It's not necessarily a person. Khonnir brought out what appeared to be a mechanical arm." Siri says, moving a bit further in to look around, "It could be something built to guard the torch that doesn't know it's been shut down."

[blackouttwo]

Mak keeps a close eye out in the darkness around them, and nods in agreement with Jeska's assessment. "If it's someTHING, then we need to keep our eyes open at all times. We don't know the fullest extent of what we might be dealing with if there's any artifacts down here. Weapons ready, asses covered." He's probably the closest thing to a specialist on the topic here, and some things will be beyond him, as well. The possibility of a sneaky robot being especially sneaky and clever is one he doesn't like the prospect of dealing with, but he had a bad feeling about this whole outing from the start anyways.

[Derjuin]

Maim

"Graagh," a grunt comes from behind as Maim finally hauls herself into the room, only to bonk her head on the low ceiling. "Damnable cave ceiling, why's it have to be so low..." she hunches down, approaching the corpse of the half-orc on all fours. She shakes her head, looking over her body. When Siri suggests continuing, she takes a few steps towards the cramped room's exit. "Let's move, then."

[Deathkeeper]

A dark cavern opens up here, its twenty-foot-high ceiling thick with stalactites. A rocky shore overlooks a placid pool and stream, fed by a trickle of water leaking from a narrow fissure to the north. A small garden of toadstools and dark mold grows along the banks.

Oh, and there's also some sort of disgusting frog-like humanoid about the size of Mak sitting on the shore, its eyes flaring a brilliant light. From those massive eye beams, you can tell that it hasn't seen you yet. The creature is roughly thirty feet from the mouth of the cave.
What will you do?

((Kn. Arcana to identify))

[Madmal]

Jeska examines the creature for a couple of seconds. "A Blindheim!" she whispers, setting an arrow on her bow "Amphibian. Gaze can blind you. Maybe a guardian" She lets it loose.

Shortbow attack: [roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

[Deathkeeper]

Jeska's attack missed, and the amphibian gazes surprised at the arrow that plunked into the water.

You may all act in the surprise round, in any order you choose. The creature is 30 feet from the edge of the cavern, but Maim needs to actually stand up from all fours before she can charge.

[Lost_Deep]

Melick gets her crossbow back out and re-loads it. She had been hoping she wouldn't need it so soon...

[Halae]

"Right!" Siri says, and pulls a vial off her belt, which will go soaring towards the creature. Mak knows what this is - one of her personal bombs. Even if she misses, it could do stunning damage to a creature like this. Whether it hits directly or not, it'll explode into a ball of fire all around the point of impact.

She let's go of Screechie's harness, and yells "Attack!" to the feathered beast. It takes off quickly, letting out a keening cry as it charges... and flies past the creature biting as it circles for another strike.

Alright, so, actions. Siri is going to toss one of her bombs for the day, which if it hits should do a serious number on this thing by itself. The damage it deals due to her class features is 1d6+4 if it's a direct hit. If it misses, the creature will still get hit by the splash damage (5 damage) unless it makes a reflex save (DC 14. Don't worry, that'll go up as time passes). Siri's ranger with the bomb is 20 feet. At 30 feet, she has -1 to hit this bugger, but also has a +1 when attacking with Splash Weapons thanks to her Throw Anything feat. The result is a total +4 to the roll.

Siri's Ranged Touch Attack:[roll0]
Siri's Bomb Damage:[roll1]

Screechie is making good use of his Flyby Attack feat, by charging and then attacking as he flies about. This'll keep him out of the way of any attacks Mak or another ranged party member might make.

Screechie's Charge Attack: [roll2]
Screechie's Bite Damage:[roll3]

Siri misses, Screechie misses, but it'll still get hit by the splash damage (5) if it can't make a DC 14 reflex save.

[Deathkeeper]

I'm going to assume Mel already had her crossbow out, because a surprise round is only one action.

Bad news, Siri's save DC is too low for the monster to not dodge and Screechie's luck hasn't stopped being awful.

Good news is that I just remembered that flat-footed is a thing, so Jeska's arrow actually did hit.
You have dealt 4 damage.

[Derjuin]

Maim

Lurching back to a standing position, the scrape of metal-against-metal echoes through the caverns as Maim draws the immense blade from its holding-ring on her back. The forged steel threatens to glimmer in the light of the frog-creature's gaze, a glint that would merely hint at the promise of fury, blood and death.

[blackouttwo]

That's when Mak takes his shot with his musket.

Turns out keeping it loaded at all times is a great plan.

The sound of yet another resounding, echoing musket shot booms through the cavern, and Mak immediately begins reloading, not even hesitating once the shot's fired. The smoke obscures his vision for the moment, so he can't even confirm he hit the target, but he was close enough. It was probably a good, solid shot.

Probably.

OK, maybe not.

Definitely not, as a matter of fact.

So he fired another shot through the smoke.

That one missed too.

[Deathkeeper]

The blindheim charges at Mak and his mystical boom-stick, charging straight through the smoke and biting him firmly on the arm. He takes 3 damage. In addition, he must make a Fortitude save to resist the creature's blinding eye-beams. (+2 since you're wearing shades)

Maim is 5 feet away, everyone else is roughly 10. Obviously Mak is adjacent.

[Halae]

Screechie is having none of this, and quickly flaps his wings to cross the room and follow the Blindheim before his favorite kobold is injured further. He squawks and drives his beak into the creature's back, taking out a huge chunk of flesh.

Siri, meanwhile, pulls a potion off her belt and downs it quickly.

[Deathkeeper]

Sadly, the fact that there's a giant amphibian chewing on his arm makes it rather hard to remember not to look at it, and sadly, while his glasses can cut out some of the glare, they can't stop Mak from being, well...

That. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlBifX0H3yg)
For about an hour.
He might have some trouble reloading his gun. Or walking. Or doing much of anything really.

[Madmal]

Jeska closes the eye closest to the blindheim's gaze and moves diagonally, trying another arrow at the frog.
Shortbow attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Derjuin]

Maim

"Better than beetles, ha-haw," Maim whips her sword out as she approaches the beast. "Bleed for me, beast!" Hefting the huge blade high, she puts all her weight behind the blow as it comes crashing down, a thunderous roar accompanying it.


5-foot step and drawing my sword into melee range, and using Primal Wrath on the frog.

Attack roll is 1d20+5. Damage roll is 3d6+14. I'm not rolling this time. :smallmad:

[Lost_Deep]

Melick sighs. She can't risk shooting into that melee, she might hit somebody, and the other combat spell she knows is color spray, which might hurt everyone in that melee. That would be dumb.

So... she just doesn't do anything.

((technically holding her action, but I don't think it's going to get better.))

[Deathkeeper]

Maim rolls a 15+5, easily hitting home. She rolls 10, and since the creature had not even 12 hp left, that's more than enough to kill it. The blindheim is dead.

[Halae]

"Mak!" with Maim's blade in the strange creature, Siri surges forward to her friend, to help keep him from stumbling around - kobold or no, uneven ground when you can't see it is a good way to get yourself hurt. "Are you alright? Can you see anything?"

"Jeska, you knew what that thing was. What did it do to him?"

[blackouttwo]

OH GODS I'M BLIIIIIIIIIIIIIND

Mak stumbles around, flailing about with his empty musket.

Followed by PAIN as the Blindheim starts chewing on his arm.

He breaks away, fumbling with the weapon blindly in an attempt unjam it, cursing all the while. He doesn't quite realize the thing is dead yet, being BLIND.

[Madmal]

Jeska opens her mouth to speak but is rudely interrupted by the fretting kobold, flinching a bit "Well, uhm, yes, that." She jerks a thumb at Mak "He... got it." She turns back to him "Err, "There there"? The thing is dead, and I really doubt it's permanent, so there's little reason to alert any other possible inhabitant. Also, you may hurt yourself by pancking."

[Lost_Deep]

Melick unloads her crossbow (She's pretty sure she remembers hearing that leaving it loaded is bad for it?) and then walks toward Mak. "Calm down! close your eyes, stand up straight, and take a deep breath. Panicing is only going to make it worse!"

[Halae]

"It was just a flash, right? He should have his sight back after some rest." Siri says, still holding onto Mak's shoulder so he has some sort of stability. She's seen humans stumble around in the dark, and would rather her friend doesn't accidentally set something off, given how well armed the group is.

[blackouttwo]

Mak raises a hand and waves it back in forth in front of his own face.

And again.

And again.

Nothing.

"I hate you people."

[Halae]

"Alright, we're just at the entrance here. We don't lose much by waiting another hour." Siri says, nodding.

Meanwhile, Screechie reaches down to the corpse of the Blindheim and begins tearing off chunks to each. He'll avoid the eyes, but the fingers, the meat around the stomach, that's all fair game if it doesn't taste like garbage.

[Madmal]

"Right then, I'd rather not go empty-handed when we head back to town to resupply, so I'll be looking around this space." Jeska will be expending her time searching the "room".

[Deathkeeper]

A cursory search of the pool reveals a man's body, mostly eaten. Little remains to identify the body, for the blindheim has eaten most of it and has ruined its armor and clothing in the process. A belt pouch on the body's hip is still intact and contains 42 gp, a silver medallion bearing a symbol (roll knowledge religion if you want to identify) and two water-tight pouches containing liquids that are almost certainly magic of some kind.

[Derjuin]

Maim

Holding her sword before her, Maim takes up a guard-like position, keeping watch on the cavernous depths beyond their current area. "Le'me know when you can see again, Mak." She grunts, her gaze fixed on the darkness.


Taking point as close to the exit of the current room as I can get without leaving it. Sword is already drawn. Take 10 on Perception. luls its exactly 10

[Derjuin]

Maim

Tapping her plated foot restlessly, Maim slings her sword back over her shoulder into its ring and marches over to Mak. "Arright, maggots. This is takin' far too long. Prepare to double-time it!" She grabs Makroo and her bag, and introduces one to the other by stuffing the kobold into the bag. "Don't gimme any hassle, Mak. An' don't break my applejack." she grunts, hoisting her bag back into place.

"Now let's move!" Setting a brisk pace, Maim trudges further into the cavern.


Added Makroo to my inventory. Now at medium load, moving at 20'.

[Lost_Deep]

"Uh, can I try something?" Melick casts dancing lights, and four balls of light appear. "A bard told me about this tick: I use the lights to scout ahead, and we can see farther than people with torches normally can."

[Derjuin]

Maim

"Send 'em out, then," Maim grunts, pointing a claw forwards. "I can see jus' fine, but maybe we can take somethin' by surprise with 'em."

[Halae]

Siri

The party goblin would have words for Maim later for her rough treatment of Mak, but at the moment, it seems like they need a firm hand, so she says nothing. The backpack should be safe enough, right?

Siri moves forward along with the lights, her hands at her belt and ready to mix up a bomb should something dangerous rear its ugly head. Screechie moves along just behind the goblin.

[Madmal]

Jeska examines the potions in a short while and then tucks them on her bandolier. "Curative admixture. Nothing against Mak's condition, I fear." She follows suit. "Light is a two-edged sword, but yeah, distraction may be a good use for these. Onwards"

[blackouttwo]

Mak's only response to all of this is discontented muttering as he's placed in the backpack.

He came down here for goodies, and he gets blindness. It'll pass, but what good are his goggles if they won't protect against stuff like the Blindheim? He needs to talk to get them enchanted or something. This can't be allowed to continue.

His muttering continues until such time as he is no longer blind.

[Deathkeeper]

And so, with their crippled teammate in tow, the party advances further into the caverns. There is only one path, a narrow one leading to the next cave in this watery network.

A collection of crates, boxes, rubble, and scavenged metal lies heaped in the northwest section of this damp cave. Several strange chalk drawings of twisted, spiny plants, a strange three-legged creature, and emaciated four-armed humanoids mark the walls.

Gimme some perception checks, please.

[Deathkeeper]

Scattered about the room is a strange assortment of refuse. Dirt, sticks, and signs of whatever primitive life made the drawings, of course, but also strange twisted wires and destroyed scraps of metal. Nothing too interesting, but could Mak see surely he'd find his hopes elevated by evidence of more advanced technology linked to this cave system.

Small glints of light off of the sorcerer's torchlight catches her eye and those of the goblin and androids. Should they bend down to look, they'll notice a total of seven small silvery discs among the trash, strangely intact.

[Halae]

[Siri]

"... This is new..." Siri says, reaching down To pick up the disks, "These aren't primitive, like the drawings. The Torch has been here as long as anybody can remember - just how old is it? From what I know, primitive people tend to use cave drawings to depict what they see that's important. What if these drawings depict whatever was living in the torch when the first humans arrived to investigate? I mean, except maybe these disks, it's all so ancient as to be useless now, but it seems clear to me that whatever made these tunnels didn't paint the walls as well."

[Madmal]

Jeska wrinkles her nose. "For now, I'm more concerned about how they got here in the first place. Did they come from someone from the expeditions? Or did someone else dropped them here?"

[Derjuin]

Maim

"Now, these're interestin'..." Maim grunts, a clawed finger to her chin. She investigates the chalked artwork, though she quickly turns back around when the goblin finds something. "What've you got there, Siri?" She asks, craning her neck to look over at the discs in her hands. "Scratch that, the drawings can wait - what in Golarion are those...?"

"Discs of some kind...? If they're not primitive, then they prob'bly have a use, but for what?"

[Halae]

Siri

"Either magical or technological, I think. We'd best hold onto them until Mak can examine them." the goblin says, handing them off to Maim. This is far from her area of expertise.

[Derjuin]

Maim

"Got'cha. Mak! Heads up! Or down, whatever way yer facin' in there." She says, reaching around to grab a better hold of her pack. "Got some precious cargo incomin'. Looks like it's right up yer alley, once you can see again a'course." She flips the flap and sets the discs inside, careful not to jab the blind kobold with them.

"You still wanna shine yer lights ahead o' us, sorcerer? 'Less we still got somethin' to grab in here. I see a buncha' scrap, but my eyes aren't exactly sharp 'nuff for this neither."

[blackouttwo]

Mak shifts in the backpack slightly as the disks are lowered into the pack with him. He feels the texture of the shiny new acquisitions, and can't see anything or appraise them adequately. Damn it all. "I'm going to assume this is important." He grumbles a bit in several languages, most of it in impolite or curse words. He feels helpless. He can't reload his musket without seeing, and he can't see or do anything involving an in-depth analysis of the 'precious cargo.'

Some archaeologist he is right now.

[Madmal]

Jeska

"I'll give them a closer examination" Jeska picks up one of the discs and helds it near her face, examining it carefully.

Knowledge (Technology) check:[roll0]
Inspiration bonus: (4/4 uses) [roll1]

[Deathkeeper]

With her 27, Jeska can identify these discs as energy sources commonly found among the region's strange ruins. Certain devices can be charged using the energy they carry.

And the Technic League will usually pay quite a bit for them, as will anyone else with an eye for tech.

[Lost_Deep]

Melick hmms at the cave paintings. "Let's save these for someone else to look at..." she gets out some paper and ink or charcoal, and goes about making charcoal rubbings or copying down the symbols. "Maybe Mak or someone will be able to figure them out."

[Madmal]

Jeska

She puts the disc inside the pack with the others, a small smirk showing. "I knew they looked familiar. Possible Energy sources. This enterprise is not disappointing so far. Now, shall we continue?

[Deathkeeper]

To the southwest is an exit that quickly bends to the south. A ledge is also visible from the current room, so there might be a small drop, like the one they climbed before. Not much else is visible without entering it.

To the southeast is another small, bending passage. More of the same, but this one is more uniform gray stone, no ledges, and the paintings continue a bit farther into this one before tapering off, whereas they don't extend at all into the other exit.

[Lost_Deep]

Melick directs the lights toward the doorway with the paintings. "Okay... should we go this way? If nothing else, we'll know something is over there. The other way might just lead to more caves."

[blackouttwo]

"Long as we don't run into anything dangerous, I don't much care. Because, y'know. In this state, I can't really fight back." Mak's voice is indignant in the bottom of the backpack in which he is ensconced, although he's trying to feel the silver discs and figure out their shape and possibly the material they're made out of.

He's not having any luck, but it's the effort that counts, right?

[Halae]

"Let's go this way" Siri says, pointing down the southeast corridor, "The paintings suggest it was a more often used path, and that likely means it'll go deeper than the other route."

the Party needs to get moving, so she'll start moving down the hall without waiting for consent.

[Madmal]

Jeska picks her bow and trots behind Siri. "It also indicates more activity. Everyone on their guard. Let's move."

[Deathkeeper]

The ceiling of this vast chamber rises nearly thirty feet overhead. A five-foot-wide ledge runs along the western wall, sloping down to the cave floor ten feet below. Four ramshackle huts made of what appear to be strips of metal, hides, and some sort of fibrous plant matter sit in the cave, while to the south yawns a dark pit.

Those of you with dark-vision can see the glint of metal on the far cave wall. But your attention is most likely drawn out to the humanoid shape that steps into view in front of you. It's a fairly young, dark-skinned and hairless woman, human-sized (Kn. Local check to identify the race) carrying a short sword. Two step towards the edge of the passage you just exited, carrying spears. They don't look incredibly hostile, but they're not putting the effort in to seem even remotely friendly either like the woman is doing.

"Hoy! You intruders from village! Chief say he forgive you for being in our cave, but wants to talk to you. You pick two, come with me to speak to Chief. Rest stay safe here. Talk deal, talk peace." she says, pointing at the group.

[Derjuin]

Maim

Maim nods to the strange creatures, then turns to her companions. "I'll go to meet their chieftain," she says with a grin. "Who's gonna go with?" She gestures with a clawed hand toward the shortsword-wielding lady.

As if by a second thought, she slowly sets her bag down. "Lettin' you down, Mak. Try not to smash my stuff," she says, taking care not to harm Mak or her belongings.

[Madmal]

Jeska

Jeska steps foward "I'll go along. This could prove interesting." She frowns for a short, trying to recognize the creature to no avail. "Carry on."

[Halae]

Siri

Siri frowns, but nods when the others go along with it. Maim, if nothing else, is capable of taking care of herself. Jeska's no slouch either. So, for now, Siri will sit down beside the pack Mak is sitting in, taking comfort in the kobold's presence.

[Lost_Deep]

Melick

Melick also sits down. She supposes she'll just have to wait. She gets out her book and starts sketching/doodling/writing.

[Deathkeeper]

The woman leads you further into the cave.
Small shacks act as living quarters for the people you've met, made ramshackle of scrap metal. In fact, scrap metal seems to comprise most of your surroundings, covering most of the ground despite the cave itself being stone. There's really that much of it lying around.

Sitting on a great scrap-metal chair is a powerful looking bald woman of the same race as your guide. Her clothes are simple, but is absolutely covered in blades. She must have at least eight daggers on her person, plus a short sword. She sits with her arms crossed, certainly trying to look imperious. Her surroundings might belie that impression.

"I'll be blunt, outsiders. You want to be through my cave. We want to stay alive. You clear out team of annoying gremlins to north, promise to leave you alone, you get shown through rest of cave safe, plus some nice things we've found in the heap you might like. Simple deal, yes?" she says simply to you.

[Derjuin]

Maim

"Simple indeed," Maim grunts. "What makes these gremlins so fierce that yer tribe doesn't want ta handle them?" She adjusts her stance, standing upright for once and crossing her arms over her chest.

[Madmal]

Jeska

Jeska stays slightly behind Main, keeping a firm position, her hands together at the fingertips and a pensive stare. "I'm going to venture that they have been... busy these past nights. As far as I can confirm, we are at least, the fourth group to set foot on these parts." She blinks slowly and tilting her head in curiosity "If it's not too rude of me to ask...Have your tribe taken any losses? How many?"

[Deathkeeper]

The woman doesn't seem all that pleased by your questions, though she's not offended enough to refuse you an answer.

"Sixth. I was not chief a month ago, and that is all you need to know. We don't fight them because we would rather not. They can fight back, and we would rather not deal with that. That is that." she says simply.

[Derjuin]

Maim

"Then it'd be in both our interests for my party to eliminate the grems for ya," Maim states flatly. "Never liked the damn things anyway. You let us regroup, show us to their lair and they're as good as dead." She nods to the chieftain, and extends a clawed hand. "After we shake on it, of course. Then the deal's sealed."

[Deathkeeper]

The chief smiles, relieved, and shakes Maim's paw. She points to a large open passage to the north-east.

"Just take cave that way, once you Go back the way came. Get your friends, go. Straight path, mostly. You shouldn't have to worry about getting lost." she says simply, letting out a signal whistle.

The guards with the rest of the group turn their heads at the more distant sound, shrugging their shoulders and heading off back to their posts, leaving the adventurers by themselves.

[Halae]

Siri

Once they come back and explain the situation, The little goblin stands up and holds the reins to her vulture, pulling him along as she moves through the camp. Something feels off.

[Derjuin]

Maim

Satisfied with the deal, Maim turns to meet up with her party members before leading them off towards the gremlin den. "We just got to kill a bunch of gremlins, and they'll let us all through. Promised us a reward for doin' it, too." She cracks her knuckles under her gauntlets. "Shouldn't take us too long."