Ruins of Azlant IC

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri helps forage, noting Laurelata's excitement but not really understanding it. "Are these flowers useful for something?" he asks her, quietly, as he watches her collect one.

Once at the colony he excuses himself to report their exploration to Lyra so she can note the details in her maps. "It's dangerous up there - need to warn others to stay away for now," he warns seriously.

[farothel]

Henri helps forage, noting Laurelata's excitement but not really understanding it. "Are these flowers useful for something?" he asks her, quietly, as he watches her collect one.

"Yes, they can be used to give a weapon a temporary magic aura," Laurelata explained as she searched for more, "so we can hit things that can only be damaged by magic and magical weapons without having any. Given all the stuff on this island, it might be useful one day."

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri nods and tries to keep an eye out for the flowers as he forages.

[farothel]

Back in the village, after asking around a bit, Laurelata went to Alba Divenvaar, who had some training in alchemy. She explained what she knew about the Dragon Rose plant and what they could do with it, asking her to do the preparations that were needed, as she herself knew a bit about the plant and what it could be used for, but she wasn't trained in the middle part of actually doing the preparations.

[SanguinePenguin]

Taz begins her search for the swarmsuit, starting with where she last saw it. She asks around (and for permission if necessary) and collects the suit in hopes of dealing with the metal balls. She also restocks her rations quickly.

[u-b]

The search for the swarmsuit ends rather quickly - it is in the storage, and even on the same shelf where you have first found it. The storage is not open to just everyone, but after Taz explains the situation, she gets the swarmsuit handed over to her with a suggestion to notify Ramona before or after its use.

Lyra carefully copies Henri's maps and makes accompanying notes. It takes the whole rest of the evening, including some time after dark. Lyra says she will notify Ramona, the hunters and... well, that's about it. And she doubts even the hunters ever go that far. She says the surrounding plentful enough, in both game and dangers, so people just prefer not to make long trips, even the hunters. And lumberjacs and gatherers even less so.

Alba nods at Laurelata explanation about the strange plant. Apparently, this is the first time she hears about it. She says she can process it as requested just fine, but asks Laurelata to be around and oversee the process. She asks what are the news and if the group has had time to look for other reagents as she had requested.

DAY 30 AFTER LANDING

Good morning.

[farothel]

Laurelata said that they had been looking, but so far no luck yet. She also follows the process so she can learn it as well. As soon as it was finished, she went to bed.

The next morning she makes a quick breakfast, makes sure there are enough rations for another long walk before they can move out. If the plants were already processed, she would take the doses back out, just in case.

[Farmerbink]

Jessica is ultimately relieved that the party managed to escape without serious injuries. As the party goes about their own tasks for the evening or just settles in early, she finds herself at the haunted chapel again. This time, she doesn't go in, but instead just pauses at the windows to look and listen. Frustrated with their lack of progress, she gazes inside at the simple furnishings and deific adornment.

In the end, she's not sure how long she's stood there, but she makes her way to her cot and lies down for fitful rest.

The morning dawns as it usually does, and she finds herself no closer to a clue of what has happened here.

Spoiler: OOC

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So I don't have anything useful to add. I'm personally at a total loss, and Jessica doesn't have useful skills to roll "just in case," as far as I can tell. She will gladly go back with the party wherever we decide to go. The swarm suit and dealing with the weird balls thing makes the most sense to me.

[DarkOne-Rob]

After his hearty meal (heavy on the protein - eggs, bacon, sausage, some cheese and cooked onions for flavor), Henri looks ready to get back out into the wild. "I'll take us back the way we went before unless anyone wants to go to one side...?" he says, finishing the brief speech with his voice raised in a question.

[u-b]

The ghost of Silas Weatherbee still effectively has the chapel for himself and still asks the world the very same question. It seems this is not about to change all by itself and Jessica does not feel herself in a position to conclusively change it either.

Equipped with some trail rations to munch on the way, a few freshly-processed dragon roses to... well, to have around in case they are needed, and, most importantly, a swarmsuit to wear against the swarm, the group walks their way back to the ruins they ran from. The weather seems to be changing and, having the only way to be changing, it's getting worse. It is not bad yet, but waking up in the morning, Henri can say there will be some wind and some rain before you are back to your base. True enough, the light breeze of the morning becomes a rather fresh breeze by about the noon when you start to approach the ruins. There is not much in the way of the clouds just yet, but they sure are coming.

Tazmara dons the swarmsuit. Lightburn comes with her to warn her when he smells the swarm's presence. Everybody else stays some way back. This time you see the swarm before you smell it. You see it rolling around and it appears to have noticed you and starts to approach...

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri stays close to Tazmara - within a good charge distance - to be ready to dive in and distract the swarm if it begins to overwhelm her. He swings his polearm back and forth as he fidgets and watches the combat commence...

[SanguinePenguin]

"I can barely move in this thing. If things go surface, I will signal," she waves her left arm vigorously, "then retreat as best I can. If we need to run, Henri, please distract the balls, Jessica and Laurelata, help me strip the suit off as quickly as possible so I can move."

She then heads toward the balls with the hope her plan is sound. A distance from the group, she braces her back foot and fires a powerful shot at the balls.

Spoiler: Actions, round 1

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Move: Approach
Standard: water blast on mechaballs
Attack: (1d20+4)[17]
Damage: (1d6+6)[9] (does full damage to swarms)

Spoiler: Taz stats

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Tazmara Stonesong
F NG Dwarf Kineticist (Aquakineticist), Level 2, Init 2, HP 23/23, DR Cold/pressure - 1, Speed 20 / 20 (swim)
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 14, Fort 7, Ref 6, Will 1, CMB +2 (5), Base Attack Bonus 1
PBS Water Blast +4 (1d6+6, x2)
Dagger +2 (+3 thrown) (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Heavy Pick +2 (1d6+1, x4)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8
Condition Having a swim speed grants a +8 bonus on some swim checks (most others are not needed)
Swarm suit: DR 10/- vs fine swarms
Swarm suit: DR 5/- vs diminutive swarms

[farothel]

"Will do," Laurelata said, taking her bow and prepping herself, "I'll cover you as well."
She stayed at a distance with her bow, ready just in case.

[Farmerbink]

Jessica nods somberly. She stays a few paces still further behind Henri, trusting that she'll be able to close the distance if she needs to, and preferring to not make a target of herself. "We'll be here," she assures Tazmara, as the Dwarf strides purposefully forward.

[u-b]

The combat starts. It does not go exactly as planned. Half of the plan works so far - the swarmsuit protects Tazmara. The rolling balls cannot really get to her. But landing a solid hit on them proves much more problematic than planned. The rest of the team watches as Taz shoots at the swarm again and again, gets toppled, stands up right away and keeps shooting for absolutely no apparent effect...

Spoiler

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Swarm damage: (1d6)[1]
Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[20]
Tazmara attack: (1d20+4)[14] for (1d6+6)[12] (does full damage to swarms)

Swarm damage: (1d6)[3]
Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[14]
Tazmara attack: (1d20+4)[8] for (1d6+6)[12] (does full damage to swarms)

Swarm damage: (1d6)[4]
Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[11]
Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[24] (standing up)
Tazmara attack: (1d20+4)[14] for (1d20+6)[13] (does full damage to swarms)

Swarm damage: (1d6)[4]
Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[12]

=> Tazmara (round 5; and maybe the party)

[farothel]

Laurelata looked at the Taz. The attacks didn't seem to destroy any of the balls, but that didn't necessarily mean anything and they didn't seem to do a lot to Taz either. She looked at the others.
"Should we try to help, or will that draw attention to us without the suit."

[SanguinePenguin]

"Ufff," Taz grunts as she topples over. "No, I am fine," she says as she stands back up. "Nothing is hurt but my pride. I just can't seem to hit these things," her dwarven stubborness results in another half minute of firing at the swarm.

Spoiler: Actions, round 5-9

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Standard 1: Attack: (1d20+4)[10] Damage: (1d6+6)[7] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflex vs 12: (1d20+6)[26]
Move 2: Stand (if applicable) Reflex vs 12: (1d20+6)[23]
Standard 2: Attack: (1d20+4)[21] Damage: (1d6+6)[9] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflex vs 12: (1d20+6)[26]
Move 3: Stand (if applicable) Reflex vs 12: (1d20+6)[8]
Standard 3: Attack: (1d20+4)[8] Damage: (1d6+6)[7] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflex vs 12: (1d20+6)[22]
Move 4: Stand (if applicable) Reflex vs 12: (1d20+6)[11]
Standard 4: Attack: (1d20+4)[20] Damage: (1d6+6)[9] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflex vs 12: (1d20+6)[13]
Move 5: Stand (if applicable) Reflex vs 12: (1d20+6)[15]
Standard 5: Attack: (1d20+4)[9] Damage: (1d6+6)[7] (does full damage to swarms)

Spoiler: Taz stats

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Tazmara Stonesong
F NG Dwarf Kineticist (Aquakineticist), Level 2, Init 2, HP 23/23, DR Cold/pressure - 1, Speed 20 / 20 (swim)
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 14, Fort 7, Ref 6, Will 1, CMB +2 (5), Base Attack Bonus 1
PBS Water Blast +4 (1d6+6, x2)
Dagger +2 (+3 thrown) (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Heavy Pick +2 (1d6+1, x4)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8
Condition Having a swim speed grants a +8 bonus on some swim checks (most others are not needed)
Swarm suit: DR 10/- vs fine swarms
Swarm suit: DR 5/- vs diminutive swarms

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri watches silently, concerned but not ready to dive in unless Taz calls for help...

[u-b]

Tazmara keeps fighting the swarm. She lands one good hit for 9 damage, struggles for some time to land another, gets a blessing from Jessica, and finally lands one more hit for 8 more damage. This was getting tedious, but so far the metal balls were unable to penetrate the swarmsuit and the swarm starts to become visibly less active.

Spoiler

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Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[19]

Tazmara attack: (1d20+5)[11] (incl. bless +1)
Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[14]

Tazmara attack: (1d20+5)[20] (incl. bless +1)
Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[22]

Tazmara attack: (1d20+5)[11] (incl. bless +1)
Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[17]

Tazmara attack: (1d20+5)[10] (incl. bless +1)
Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[20]

Tazmara attack: (1d20+5)[21] for (1d6+6)[8] (incl. bless +1, which helps)
Tazmara reflex 12: (1d20+6)[18]

=> Tazmara (round 15; and maybe the party)

[SanguinePenguin]

"Hold... STILL... you stupid mechaballs!" The dwarf blasts off more shots, trying to keep her balance for well over a minute.

Spoiler: Actions, round 15-29

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Standard 15: Attack: (1d20+5)[22] Damage: (1d6+6)[8] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[20] (1d20+6)[26]
Standard 16: Attack: (1d20+5)[13] Damage: (1d6+6)[11] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[23] (1d20+6)[13]
Standard 17: Attack: (1d20+5)[25] Damage: (1d6+6)[9] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[22] (1d20+6)[15]
Standard 18: Attack: (1d20+5)[25] Damage: (1d6+6)[8] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[23] (1d20+6)[21]
Standard 19: Attack: (1d20+5)[25] Damage: (1d6+6)[11] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[13] (1d20+6)[12]
Standard 20: Attack: (1d20+5)[6] Damage: (1d6+6)[11] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[17] (1d20+6)[24]
Standard 21: Attack: (1d20+5)[10] Damage: (1d6+6)[9] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[25] (1d20+6)[22]
Standard 22: Attack: (1d20+5)[23] Damage: (1d6+6)[11] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[12] (1d20+6)[21]
Standard 23: Attack: (1d20+5)[25] Damage: (1d6+6)[12] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[20] (1d20+6)[14]
Standard 24: Attack: (1d20+5)[19] Damage: (1d6+6)[10] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[20] (1d20+6)[20]
Standard 25: Attack: (1d20+5)[23] Damage: (1d6+6)[9] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[9] (1d20+6)[24]
Standard 26: Attack: (1d20+5)[19] Damage: (1d6+6)[12] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[18] (1d20+6)[19]
Standard 27: Attack: (1d20+5)[18] Damage: (1d6+6)[12] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[24] (1d20+6)[19]
Standard 28: Attack: (1d20+5)[20] Damage: (1d6+6)[9] (does full damage to swarms)
Reflexes (pass 1 or lose next action) vs 12: (1d20+6)[16] (1d20+6)[26]
Standard 29: Attack: (1d20+5)[22] Damage: (1d6+6)[9] (does full damage to swarms)

Spoiler: Taz stats

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Tazmara Stonesong
F NG Dwarf Kineticist (Aquakineticist), Level 2, Init 2, HP 23/23, DR Cold/pressure - 1, Speed 20 / 20 (swim)
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 14, Fort 7, Ref 6, Will 1, CMB +2 (5), Base Attack Bonus 1
PBS Water Blast +4 (1d6+6, x2)
Dagger +2 (+3 thrown) (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Heavy Pick +2 (1d6+1, x4)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8
Condition Having a swim speed grants a +8 bonus on some swim checks (most others are not needed)
Swarm suit: DR 10/- vs fine swarms
Swarm suit: DR 5/- vs diminutive swarms
Bless +1/att

[farothel]

Laurelata keeps her bow trained on the balls, but she's not going to intervene unless Taz asks for it. While it does take a long time, the fact that they don't seem to be able to do much to Taz except for pulling her down, as long as Taz could keep up, she would eventually win.

[u-b]

With three more blasts, two of them on target and one off target, Tazmara finally disperses the swarm. Some of the remaining metal balls seem to still be able to function, but they seem now to wander in random directions and, if not caught or something, will probably scatter never to reform. There is a bigger pile of deformed metal balls. These seem to show some complicated internal structure...

[farothel]

"I think we best catch those," Laurelata said, "they're probably not dangerous, but we better make sure. And we have a big load of metal we can use back in the village. After we figure out the what, how and who of course."

[DaOldeWolf]

Hewitt nods to the command given by Laurelata. "Should I check for magic?" Hewitt asks ready to cast his spell.

[SanguinePenguin]

With their activity subsiding, Taz fires off a few more shots at the balls even witht he threat removed. Then she pumps her fists in the air and cheers. "Woooo! This swarm suit is handy! ... I'm gonna sit down for a minute. That was exhausting..." She seems clearly content to let the others investigate the reminents of the ballstorm for the moment.

[DarkOne-Rob]

As the metal balls stop moving in a concentrated, concerted way Henri walks up, kicking individual spheres with some vindictiveness as he approaches Tazmara. He gently slaps her back, unsure how steady she will be inside the suit. "Well done. Rest and then tell us when you can move again," he says, turning to look around the immediate area and find a good place for everyone to sit while he scouts about...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Perception (+8)to identify a good spot with something to sit on and shade for Taz. Then begin prowling about (Stealth +3) as he tries to find anything else interesting in the immediate area.

[farothel]

"Might be a good idea," Laurelata said to Hewitt, then looking at the pile of metal, "although Taz might have beaten the magic out of those. I'll see if I can get one of the still 'living' ones to roll back this way for you to test."

She started moving to get one of the still rolling balls to come back so Hewitt could test it.
"Anybody has a rope or a net or something," she shouted, "we might capture some of these."

[u-b]

The metal balls, whether "alive" or "dead" do not seem to radiate any magic. Tazmara sits on the steps that seem to be comfortable enough where they are not weathered out. Henri's scouting of the ruins reveals one item of particular interest: further north, the hills give way to sharp, rocky inclines. A solitary stone structure, a tower at least three stories high, is partially embedded in the rocky cliff wall behind it. The cylindrical edifice is oddly undamaged, however, as if the rock were only the tide lapping at the tower’s lower half, frozen in time. The structure has no windows or rooftop battlements. You are pretty sure you want a closer look at that tower when you hear a scream.

Laurelata drops the ball she has just caught as it suddenly extends sharp spikes, piercing her hand. The ball falls to the ground, retracts the spikes back, and continues to roll erratically. It would not be difficult to catch it again, but doing so does hurt, as Laurelata has just found out.

Spoiler

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Laurelata takes 1 bleed damage. You will continue to bleed until somehow healed.

[Farmerbink]

"Oh!" Jessica wastes no time hurrying to Laurelata's aid. She quickly channels a burst of healing energy. "Woah. So much for bringing them back to investigate!" She's more than a little surprised, but firmly out of her element. Content to let Hewitt decide what to do (or not) about the remaining constructs, she turns her attention to Henri and his continued scouting. "Don't go too far," she warns. "I imagine we'll want to check out that tower together."

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri returns to report what he's found. "Stone tower, not ruined, no windows - we should check it out," he says as he waits to see if anyone needs longer to rest and recover from watching Tazmara defeat the swarm.