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  1. - Top - End - #31
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    remetagross's Avatar

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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    "Happy", answers Ux Utanar with a smile to both Delja and Annali. To the latter, he adds:
    "The sooner the better. I am certain a person as busy as he is has little time to spare beating around the bush."
    Last edited by remetagross; 2022-05-09 at 02:46 AM.
    VC XV, The horsemen are drawing nearer: The Alien and the Omen (part 1 and part 2).
    VC XVI, Burn baby burn:Nero
    VC XVIII, This is Heresy! Torquemada
    VC XX, Elder Evil: Henry Bowyer

    And a repository of deliciously absurd sentences produced by maddened optimisers in my extended signature

  2. - Top - End - #32
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Annali. Annali presents as "merely" a sharp clerk but she has the air of one even shrewder, accustomed to running in the circles of the powerful—people such as yourselves. Delja has met her kind many times. Nonetheless Delja sees within Annali the soul of a scholar and judge: her distaste for the kriegstanz is true, she sees herself as above untruths, and she has every intention to honor her obligations.

    ────────────────────────────────

    "And who," says Annali after a long pause, "might this patron be? We have many across the planes, and not all of them would react well to their privacy being breached through our channel."

  3. - Top - End - #33
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Inching forward, Ux Utanar finally says the name, as there is no point in delaying that any longer now.
    "We are looking for the planeswalker named Teru. Does that ring a bell to you?"


    He watches Annali intently as she processes that name.
    VC XV, The horsemen are drawing nearer: The Alien and the Omen (part 1 and part 2).
    VC XVI, Burn baby burn:Nero
    VC XVIII, This is Heresy! Torquemada
    VC XX, Elder Evil: Henry Bowyer

    And a repository of deliciously absurd sentences produced by maddened optimisers in my extended signature

  4. - Top - End - #34
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    When the dragonborn begins to speak, Delja instinctively opens her mouth to silence him, figuring he'll do his usual thing and go all honest on Annali, but hard as she may strain her mind, she realizes that at this point, that might actually be their best bet. The bariaur strikes her as trustworthy, or as trustworthy as someone of her intellect can get and they don't quite know enough to trick her into doing what they want without resorting to hostile action. Accordingly, she goes with a curt nod instead.

    And if so, which I suspect to be the case she joins in. does that present an issue?
    Last edited by Metastachydium; 2022-05-10 at 09:11 AM.

  5. - Top - End - #35
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Peering at the clerk for a moment, 'Drucilla' eventually nods in satisfaction. "Seems legit," she says with a light shrug. A dagger appearing in her hand, she leans against one wall and begins cleaning her nails with the tip, seemingly satisfied.

    Spoiler: Statblock
    Show
    Myriad
    Female C/G Changeling Rogue 3 / Silver Key 10 / Invisible Blade 5 / Warlock 2, Level 20, Init 8, HP 222/222, Speed 30' Land
    AC 34, Touch 24, Flat-footed 28, Fort 22, Ref 24, Will 22, Base Attack Bonus +16/+11/+6
    +4 Steel Deadly Precision Vampiric Dagger of Parrying +27/+22/+17 (1d4+10 (+1d6 vs Living), 18-20/x2)
    Eldritch Blast (vs Touch AC) +20 (3d6, x2)
    Sneak Attack Denied Dex or Flanked (+8d6, -1d6 to cause Bleed)
    +5 Easy Travel Glamered Mithril Breastplate of Nimbleness (+10 Armor, +6 Dex, +2 Deflect, +6 Misc)
    Abilities Str 22, Dex 22, Con 22, Int 26, Wis 18, Cha 26
    Condition Awake, Alert, Unencumbered, Healthy, Disguised (Dwarven Locksmith/Explorer named Drucilla Kundarak)
    Active Invocations & Effects Beguiling Influence, See The Unseen, Detect Magic
    Other Defenses SR 25, Mettle
    Spoiler: Automatic Trap Search Check
    Show
    If Myriad gets within 5' of a mechanical trap, she automatically makes a Search Check thanks to her Trap Sensitivity feat. I will simply include this roll in every post so as not to slow down the game pacing. As she has 'detect magic' active at all times, this can also be used if she detects anything that looks remotely like a magical trap as well.
    Search For Traps: (1d20+37)[41]
    Last edited by Geeksthenewsexy; 2022-05-10 at 08:47 AM.
    "He who makes a beast of himself, loses the pain of being a man." - Dr. Johnson

  6. - Top - End - #36
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Annali pauses. "Master Teru is known to us, this much is no secret. Good news, first: Teru is currently in residence as a visiting scholar, and receptive to adventurers such as yourselves." She gives directions to Teru's guest quarters. The Festhall, the party realizes, consists of over two dozen levels each as wide as a town, labyrinthine in their layout of halls, lecture rooms, recorder lounges, and more. However, an architectural principle of concentric circles guides the Festhall's design and from Annali's expert direction there is no confusion as to where to go. "The bad news, now: Master Teru has been experimenting with planar magic and his quarters are, ah, unsafe. It's been a week since he's last emerged. If high theurgy is something you are willing to brave, we would be most appreciative if you could return our patron to us alive and in one piece. If not, we will seek aid by way of other adventurers; in the meantime we would be willing to host you as guests for I've no doubt Master Teru would be interested in making your acquaintance. If he's not dead, that is."

  7. - Top - End - #37
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Quote Originally Posted by chaincomplex View Post
    Annali pauses. "Master Teru is known to us, this much is no secret. Good news, first: Teru is currently in residence as a visiting scholar, and receptive to adventurers such as yourselves."
    Excellent. the wixie nods appreciatively, something slightly resembling a half-smile appearing on her face for the fraction of a moment as she slides off her seat with a single fluid motion.

    "The bad news, now: Master Teru has been experimenting with planar magic and his quarters are, ah, unsafe. It's been a week since he's last emerged. If high theurgy is something you are willing to brave, we would be most appreciative if you could return our patron to us alive and in one piece. If not, we will seek aid by way of other adventurers; in the meantime we would be willing to host you as guests for I've no doubt Master Teru would be interested in making your acquaintance. If he's not dead, that is."
    The bad news, in turn, only serve to enliven her even further. Oh. That must be remedied. she affirms bobbing her head energetically. It's not like his… Research and its results aren't of interest to the lot of us. she goes on pleasantly unfazed. By the way. Should we retrieve the corpse or any assorted body parts we find, in case Master Teru isn't available alive and in one piece?

  8. - Top - End - #38
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Ux Utanar is pleased to see the conversation finally heading to a profitable conclusion. He warmly bids the bariaur farewell.
    "Very well; thank you for your great help, Annali. We will strive to rescue Teru and bring him back here...and Delja, I think I have a little space left available in my haversack in case we need to resort to such an unfortunate extremity. but I am certain we will next see you, Annali, with your master safe and sound."

    Once everyone has said their part, Ux Utanar gladly proceeds to the location that has been provided.
    VC XV, The horsemen are drawing nearer: The Alien and the Omen (part 1 and part 2).
    VC XVI, Burn baby burn:Nero
    VC XVIII, This is Heresy! Torquemada
    VC XX, Elder Evil: Henry Bowyer

    And a repository of deliciously absurd sentences produced by maddened optimisers in my extended signature

  9. - Top - End - #39
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Annali replies, "Please do whatever you can to recover Master Teru if he's not in one piece." She adjusts her spectacles. "He was always savvy and kept contingencies for death. If he's truly gone then be wary of whatever powers made it so." She hands the party what she explains is the key to Teru's quarters and bids them farewell.

    ────────────────────────────────

    Down a quiet hall, up two elegant spiral stairways, and down yet more quiet halls. Even so encumbered the party could barely hear their own footsteps upon the carpet. Portraits and landscapes line the walls the whole way, faces from across the planes staring down the party and alien landscapes dreamy and grand inviting the party to explore their frozen features.

    Past lecture rooms, some empty but some within which the party could make out the muffled sounds of scholarly and artistic studies, the party finally arrives at Master Teru's guest quarters. Two oaken doors the hallway wide shut the way forward. Nearby behind the party three lecture halls are in use, their doors shut. (See the map. PCs are marked by the first two letters of their names.)

  10. - Top - End - #40
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Realizing they are going to embark straight on on a potentially perilous operation, Ux Utanar takes the time to exit the place and fetch Ereshki before joining his teammates. The bulky dire bat flies to the ceiling and hang itself upside down so as not to obstruct the hallway. Then, he decides there is no best time to start than now. The Dragonborn steps forward, slightly opens the door to the right hallway and peeks inside while asking:
    "Master Teru, are you there?"
    VC XV, The horsemen are drawing nearer: The Alien and the Omen (part 1 and part 2).
    VC XVI, Burn baby burn:Nero
    VC XVIII, This is Heresy! Torquemada
    VC XX, Elder Evil: Henry Bowyer

    And a repository of deliciously absurd sentences produced by maddened optimisers in my extended signature

  11. - Top - End - #41
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    "Hhhhmmm....a moment, please." Fishing out a set of House Kundarak's famous Warder's Keys, 'Drucilla' palms them as her eyes take on the tell-tale faint violet glow given by her Detect Magic abiliy. Checking the hallway itself for magic, she steps up to begin examining the door carefully.

    Spoiler: Statblock
    Show
    Myriad
    Female C/G Changeling Rogue 3 / Silver Key 10 / Invisible Blade 5 / Warlock 2, Level 20, Init 8, HP 222/222, Speed 30' Land
    AC 34, Touch 24, Flat-footed 28, Fort 22, Ref 24, Will 22, Base Attack Bonus +16/+11/+6
    +4 Steel Deadly Precision Vampiric Dagger of Parrying +27/+22/+17 (1d4+10 (+1d6 vs Living), 18-20/x2)
    Eldritch Blast (vs Touch AC) +20 (3d6, x2)
    Sneak Attack Denied Dex or Flanked (+8d6, -1d6 to cause Bleed)
    +5 Easy Travel Glamered Mithril Breastplate of Nimbleness (+10 Armor, +6 Dex, +2 Deflect, +6 Misc)
    Abilities Str 22, Dex 22, Con 22, Int 26, Wis 18, Cha 26
    Condition Awake, Alert, Unencumbered, Healthy, Disguised (Dwarven Locksmith/Explorer named Drucilla Kundarak)
    Active Invocations & Effects Beguiling Influence, See The Unseen, Detect Magic
    Other Defenses SR 25, Mettle
    Spoiler: Automatic Trap Search Check
    Show
    If Myriad gets within 5' of a mechanical trap, she automatically makes a Search Check thanks to her Trap Sensitivity feat. I will simply include this roll in every post so as not to slow down the game pacing. As she has 'detect magic' active at all times, this can also be used if she detects anything that looks remotely like a magical trap as well.
    Search For Mechanical Traps: (1d20+37)[52]

    Slight of Hand to Palm Her Lockpicks: (1d20+20)[21]
    She'll use Detect Magic to examine the area and also check the door for any magical spells on it whatsoever.
    If the automatic mechanical trap check (in the spoiler above) doesn't trigger, she'll search for magical traps.
    Search For Magical Traps: (1d20+37)[44]
    If there are any traps whatsoever, she'll attempt to disable them. (She can bypass arcane lock spells as though she had cast them, ignore glyphs of warding as though she knew the password - even glyphs that have no password - and bypass the magic of a hold portal as though she could cast knock at will)
    Disable Device: (1d20+33)[37]
    If there are no traps found, and no magic visible, she'll check to see if the door is even locked. If it is, she'll attempt to unlock it.
    Open Lock: (1d20+33)[52]
    Last edited by Geeksthenewsexy; 2022-05-17 at 06:12 AM.
    "He who makes a beast of himself, loses the pain of being a man." - Dr. Johnson

  12. - Top - End - #42
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    Metastachydium's Avatar

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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    One'd think that's the one approach they did try. Delja remarks dryly as Ux calls out to their lost mark, giving Myriad a silent nod of approval in the meantime and making a point of not proceeding any further towards the door, but keeping eye and ear on high alert, just in case.

    Spoiler: Rolls&stuff.
    Show

    Listen, especially for any noise from beyond the doors: (1d20+24)[42]
    Spot, pretty much anything that might be there to see and isn't a trap: (1d20+26)[35]

  13. - Top - End - #43
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Ux opens the door S20, which does not require a key, and spots a lone human scholar in an empty auditorium preparing a speech. "Factol Terrance would teach that our divines are merely shadows of true divinity: powerful, yes, yet ultimately distinct from the Demiurge. Yet at the same time the Guvners have established that divines have truly mantled their portfolios in..." The scholar looks up when Ux calls out, puzzled. "Wrong room, friend. The mage is quartered just down the hall." His eyes flickers over Ux's armor. "My word, you look ready to knock some heads together. Are you for hire, perchance?"

    ────────────────────────────────

    Myriad confirms there are no traps in the immediate hall or the doors to Teru's quarters, and what magic there is is limited to faint evocation emanating from the wall lamps; there is only the mundane if master-quality lock on the double doors to the planeswalker's quarters, and the party possesses the key to those.

    ────────────────────────────────

    Delja can hear on the other side of the double doors on Q26R26 what can only be described as moderately powerful whooshing air, covering a more gentle sound of trickling water as if from a fountain. There are no other sounds of life or movement.

  14. - Top - End - #44
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    remetagross's Avatar

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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    "Oh, really", answers the Dragonborn with deference.
    "Apologies for the unwanted interruption, and thank you for the direction. I will proceed to that hall at once. However, I am not for hire - unless you were going to hire me to find out about Master Teru." That being said, and unless the mage answers positively, Ux Utanar moves up to the nearest room, and enters throug the open door in L10.
    Last edited by remetagross; 2022-05-23 at 06:13 AM.
    VC XV, The horsemen are drawing nearer: The Alien and the Omen (part 1 and part 2).
    VC XVI, Burn baby burn:Nero
    VC XVIII, This is Heresy! Torquemada
    VC XX, Elder Evil: Henry Bowyer

    And a repository of deliciously absurd sentences produced by maddened optimisers in my extended signature

  15. - Top - End - #45
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Ux. Delja calls out, trying not to raise her voice too much. Securing the perimeter can wait. Come over here. Anything that can jump them from a lecture hall concerns her a lot less than the out-of-place sounds emanating from inside, especially since she has reason to suspect that these might be by-products of a dumb mage thinking he's really clever. Stepping close to the door, she swipes her cloak off of her ready blade and cautiously inserts the key into the lock, waiting for some dragonborn-shaped backup to arrive.

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show

    Delja enters total defense, bumping her AC up to 73.

  16. - Top - End - #46
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    The Dragonborn stops in his tracks, turning around.
    "What's that? Oh, all right."

    He exits the hall he had just entered into, and calmly moves down the corridor so as to stand near her ally. His hand on the hilt of his sword, he concentrates and raises his head above him.
    "Ereshki, brave one, be ready to jump down and take me in."

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show

    Handle Animal check DC 10 (auto-success) as a move action to ask Ereshki to perform the Defend trick: she will come to protect Ux Utanar in case of an incoming threat.
    Ux Utanar moves to R25.
    VC XV, The horsemen are drawing nearer: The Alien and the Omen (part 1 and part 2).
    VC XVI, Burn baby burn:Nero
    VC XVIII, This is Heresy! Torquemada
    VC XX, Elder Evil: Henry Bowyer

    And a repository of deliciously absurd sentences produced by maddened optimisers in my extended signature

  17. - Top - End - #47
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Simply shrugging at the lack of any security, 'Drucilla' pokes around and starts prodding at furniture and walls, checking behind decor, etc. "The lack of decent security is...disappointing. Makes me think there isn't worth finding." Grunting, she mumbles under her breath as she pokes about.

    Spoiler: Statblock
    Show
    Myriad[/B]1]
    Female C/G Changeling Rogue 3 / Silver Key 10 / Invisible Blade 5 / Warlock 2, Level 20, Init 8, HP 222/222, Speed 30' Land
    AC 34, Touch 24, Flat-footed 28, Fort 22, Ref 24, Will 22, Base Attack Bonus +16/+11/+6
    +4 Steel Deadly Precision Vampiric Dagger of Parrying +27/+22/+17 (1d4+10 (+1d6 vs Living), 18-20/x2)
    Eldritch Blast (vs Touch AC) +20 (3d6, x2)
    Sneak Attack Denied Dex or Flanked (+8d6, -1d6 to cause Bleed)
    +5 Easy Travel Glamered Mithril Breastplate of Nimbleness (+10 Armor, +6 Dex, +2 Deflect, +6 Misc)
    Abilities Str 22, Dex 22, Con 22, Int 26, Wis 18, Cha 26
    Condition Awake, Alert, Unencumbered, Healthy, Disguised (Dwarven Locksmith/Explorer named Drucilla Kundarak)
    Active Invocations & Effects Beguiling Influence, See The Unseen, Detect Magic
    Other Defenses SR 25, Mettle
    Spoiler: Automatic Search Check
    Show
    If Myriad gets within 5' of a mechanical trap, she automatically makes a Search Check. I will simply include this roll in every post so as not to slow down the game pacing. As she has 'detect magic' active at all times, this can also be used if she detects anything that looks remotely like a magical trap as well.
    Search For Traps: (1d20+37)[41]

    Search For Clues/Documents/Secrets: (1d20+37)[56]
    "He who makes a beast of himself, loses the pain of being a man." - Dr. Johnson

  18. - Top - End - #48
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    "Ah, it's quite alright," says the scholar to Ux, disappointment in his voice, "I wasn't about to hire you for that, no, though I do worry for the wayward mage, even as I'm certain he is quite in control of whatever insane experiment he has committed to now. Good luck anyhow!"

    Checking in on the room through L10 Ux finds an empty lecture hall. Partially erased musical notation remains on a chalkboard, smeared and dusted in white.

    ────────────────────────────────

    Myriad walks straight into the planewalker's suite and is immediately buffeted by strong winds. The source is obvious: at U31 there is a large shimmering magical sphere, brilliant fractal colors peeking out of its surface from its infinite depths. The air seems to be interacting with the surface of the sphere... violently... and eddies of air are jetting out of the sphere like steam from a boiling kettle, though a quick check reveals the air to be rather cooler—and fresher, even—than room temperature.

    The suit itself is a spacious and luxurious affair, with a sprawling lounge at the center, bookshelves lining the walls, and a large trickling fountain by the western wall. Two closed doors go south and east respectively. The wind has blown books and papers off the shelves and strewn them across the room. There is no sign of life.

    ────────────────────────────────

    Now the sphere is no magical trap, but the principles behind magical traps are quite similar to other kinds of magical engineering and Myriad knows it is no "natural" formation. No, the thing at U31 is absolutely the product of a mage.

    The magical aura emanating from U31 is a complex and multifaceted creature. There is, first, an overwhelming aura of evocation, then there are strong auras of abjuration, transmutation, and necromancy respectively.

    Myriad begins her search. The books still on the shelves (few remain) and strewn on the floor appear to be a collection of histories and arcane treatises, with a focus on artifact magic and planar cartography. Some volumes appear to be quite old and rare. She does find, fallen under a rather large half-open encyclopedia of esoteric Flow charts, a palm-sized crystal ball with veins of gold and sapphire running intricate patterns within. This object detects as magical with a strong aura of transmutation.
    Last edited by chaincomplex; 2022-05-29 at 09:39 PM.

  19. - Top - End - #49
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Delja follows closely behind the "dwarf" with her weapon ready but pleasantly surprised to see the room is still mostly there. She was expecting something more unusual, perhaps an unholy mixture of elemental-adjacent demiplanes encroaching into the suite. Only the strange sphere gives her some pause. Hey, "Druce". What's that? she inquires, as she crosses the room to approach the double door on its opposite end, giving the orb a wide berth and keeping an eye on it even as she scans for the rest of the room for anything out of place.

    Spoiler: Checks.
    Show

    Spot: [roll]1d20+26[/QUOTE] for the reason stated above; and
    Listen at the other door as before, to get an idea of what could be on the other side: (1d20+24)[33]

  20. - Top - End - #50
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Spoiler: Sigh.
    Show

    Spot, again, for obvious reasons: (1d20+26)[38]

  21. - Top - End - #51
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    "Nothing of use here" has noted Ux Utanar before joining with the team down to the corridor. He contemplates the spectacular display of the swirling sphere, while Delja and Myriad look around as is their modus operandi. The Dragonbon moves cautiously around, mindful of not stepping on anything that could explode behind his big riding boot. He looks up at the ceiling. If it appears reasonably normal, he will whistle at Ereshki to come and hang herself down from it.

    The knight also notices the shiny bauble uncovered by Myriad.
    "Huh. Do you think we could use that to communicate with Teru somehow? Does it appear to be currently working?"
    VC XV, The horsemen are drawing nearer: The Alien and the Omen (part 1 and part 2).
    VC XVI, Burn baby burn:Nero
    VC XVIII, This is Heresy! Torquemada
    VC XX, Elder Evil: Henry Bowyer

    And a repository of deliciously absurd sentences produced by maddened optimisers in my extended signature

  22. - Top - End - #52
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Shrugging, 'Drucilla' holds up the encyclopedia before pocketing it for now. "Some light reading," she say with a rougish grin. Examining the magical orb next to it, she considers it carefully. "This crystal ball is giving off Transmutation vibes. So using it changes....something. Maybe it changes our voice to be heard by the planeswalker? Then again, maybe it changes the user into a fart cloud or something. I dunno. Anyone wanna try to identify it right this second, do we bag it for now and take it somewhere else less... windy?"

    Spoiler: Statblock
    Show
    Myriad
    Female C/G Changeling Rogue 3 / Silver Key 10 / Invisible Blade 5 / Warlock 2, Level 20, Init 8, HP 222/222, Speed 30' Land
    AC 34, Touch 24, Flat-footed 28, Fort 22, Ref 24, Will 22, Base Attack Bonus +16/+11/+6
    +4 Steel Deadly Precision Vampiric Dagger of Parrying +27/+22/+17 (1d4+10 (+1d6 vs Living), 18-20/x2)
    Eldritch Blast (vs Touch AC) +20 (3d6, x2)
    Sneak Attack Denied Dex or Flanked (+8d6, -1d6 to cause Bleed)
    +5 Easy Travel Glamered Mithril Breastplate of Nimbleness (+10 Armor, +6 Dex, +2 Deflect, +6 Misc)
    Abilities Str 22, Dex 22, Con 22, Int 26, Wis 18, Cha 26
    Condition Awake, Alert, Unencumbered, Healthy, Disguised (Dwarven Locksmith/Explorer named Drucilla Kundarak)
    Active Invocations & Effects Beguiling Influence, See The Unseen, Detect Magic
    Other Defenses SR 25, Mettle
    Spoiler: Automatic Search Check
    Show
    If Myriad gets within 5' of a mechanical trap, she automatically makes a Search Check. I will simply include this roll in every post so as not to slow down the game pacing. As she has 'detect magic' active at all times, this can also be used if she detects anything that looks remotely like a magical trap as well.
    Search For Traps: [roll]1d20+37


    Pocketing the encyclopedia of esoteric flow charts for later perusal.
    Also using Sleight of Hand (1d20+20)[28] to slip a few of the old\rare looking books into her haversack during her sorting near the crystal ball.
    "He who makes a beast of himself, loses the pain of being a man." - Dr. Johnson

  23. - Top - End - #53
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    remetagross's Avatar

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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    "I can't do any of that, unfortunately, but why not give it a try?" The Dragonborn hulks over the shining sphere and tries out his best:
    "Hello there, Master Teru?" while gazing into the pattern. He shrugs.

    "And what was this encyclopedia about? That might give us a clue to what was Master Teru currently working on...and what we might need to face."
    VC XV, The horsemen are drawing nearer: The Alien and the Omen (part 1 and part 2).
    VC XVI, Burn baby burn:Nero
    VC XVIII, This is Heresy! Torquemada
    VC XX, Elder Evil: Henry Bowyer

    And a repository of deliciously absurd sentences produced by maddened optimisers in my extended signature

  24. - Top - End - #54
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    As best as Delja could tell from a glance the sphere is a construct of multiple spells woven together, layers interacting visually in such an exuberant display. It does not respond to the presence of anyone in the room noticeably, though the random swells of light may coincidentally convince an observer otherwise.

    Delja can hear nothing on the other side of the door on Q36. While part of this could be the loud, gusting air emitting from the sphere, she is pretty sure nothing is actually making a peep on the other side.

    ────────────────────────────────

    The encyclopedia of Flow charts, appropriately named Beyond the Arcane Inner Flow: Astral Cartography on the Frontiers (with no credited author on the title), is actually rather large but with some physical motivation manages to squeeze through the opening of Myriad's handy haversack. With little effort she manages to fit a handful of eye-catching volumes in after it: Planar Diffusion in Higher Dimensions by Kallber Nesh, Graded Mirrors: The Theory of Portals by Hon. Kentari Zee, Silver Sands: Cosmic Geography in Athas by High Preserver Sadira, and a particularly dense-looking text called Local Measurements on Connections by one R. Soames. Their apparent age and inlaid gold and gems would alone fetch a good price at an auction, but their content is exactly the sort of indecipherable technical arcane gibberish that wealthy collectors buy to look smart—though Myriad could probably make some headway working through the texts on her own.

    ────────────────────────────────

    Ux speaks into the magic sphere, which seems to happily blow fresh air into his face then flash him with a flurry of harmless lights in response. After a moment it becomes clear this was just random; the sphere continues this pattern in various directions.

  25. - Top - End - #55
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    remetagross's Avatar

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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Ux Utanar raises an eyebrow at the sight of the incomprehensible tomes.
    "Well, I am about as useful as my mount when it comes to understand the first thing out of these. But portals, Drucilla, that's more of your cup of tea, isn't it?" That said, the Dragonborn joins his lips tight and emits a high-pitched whistle. A few moments after, in a great swoosh of wings, Ereshki comes swooping through the door and right to the ceiling, where it hangs itself down with a squeak.

    Ux Utanar decides to take a look at the eastern door. He knocks, and then cautiously half-opens it, squeezing his snout through the gap to peek at what lies beyond.
    VC XV, The horsemen are drawing nearer: The Alien and the Omen (part 1 and part 2).
    VC XVI, Burn baby burn:Nero
    VC XVIII, This is Heresy! Torquemada
    VC XX, Elder Evil: Henry Bowyer

    And a repository of deliciously absurd sentences produced by maddened optimisers in my extended signature

  26. - Top - End - #56
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    I'm more curious about the wind, actually, not to mention its source. Delja remarks dryly as she tests the door with her free hand. The room beyond might sound clear, but she'd rather be safe than sorry.

    Spoiler: Roll.
    Show

    Delja will try to open the southern door. If she succeeds, she enters total defense again (AC -> 73) and looks around.
    Spot: (1d20+26)[45]

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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Flashing a roguish grin, 'Drucilla' nods. "My thoughts exactly. I'll crack some spines when we're somewhere secure and there is no risk of high winds divesting my light reading of its pages. I doubt a book on Astral Cartography will do us much good until we can read enough to decipher its use if any." Eyeing the sphere now with her full attention, she gestures at it. "That thing is giving off really serious vibes of evocation, plus serious vibes of abjuration, transmutation, and necromancy. Suggestions?"

    Spoiler: Statblock
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    Myriad
    Female C/G Changeling Rogue 3 / Silver Key 10 / Invisible Blade 5 / Warlock 2, Level 20, Init 8, HP 222/222, Speed 30' Land
    AC 34, Touch 24, Flat-footed 28, Fort 22, Ref 24, Will 22, Base Attack Bonus +16/+11/+6
    +4 Steel Deadly Precision Vampiric Dagger of Parrying +27/+22/+17 (1d4+10 (+1d6 vs Living), 18-20/x2)
    Eldritch Blast (vs Touch AC) +20 (3d6, x2)
    Sneak Attack Denied Dex or Flanked (+8d6, -1d6 to cause Bleed)
    +5 Easy Travel Glamered Mithril Breastplate of Nimbleness (+10 Armor, +6 Dex, +2 Deflect, +6 Misc)
    Abilities Str 22, Dex 22, Con 22, Int 26, Wis 18, Cha 26
    Condition Awake, Alert, Unencumbered, Healthy, Disguised (Dwarven Locksmith/Explorer named Drucilla Kundarak)
    Active Invocations & Effects Beguiling Influence, See The Unseen, Detect Magic
    Other Defenses SR 25, Mettle
    Spoiler: Automatic Search Check
    Show
    If Myriad gets within 5' of a mechanical trap, she automatically makes a Search Check. I will simply include this roll in every post so as not to slow down the game pacing. As she has 'detect magic' active at all times, this can also be used if she detects anything that looks remotely like a magical trap as well.
    Search For Traps: (1d20+37)[49]


    Knowledge (Arcana): (1d20+9)[25]
    Knowledge (The Planes): (1d20+9)[24]

    "He who makes a beast of himself, loses the pain of being a man." - Dr. Johnson

  28. - Top - End - #58
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Delja raises her eyebrows with a grimace. That sounds like a headache at best and a disaster in the making at worst. The fact that this probably means it's a key part of what they are looking for only makes things worse. Yeah. Can you turn it off? Without setting the room on fire, that is.

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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Popping his head off the half-space he has fit it in, Ux Utanar answers in an amused tone:
    "I don't have the first idea about what to do with any of the things you just mentioned, except when I try to fool my wand of Enlarge Animal into believing I'm a druid. I don't think I will be able to fool this big sphere into anything, so I'll let you deal with it as you see fit."
    He then returns to observing the room ahead of him.
    VC XV, The horsemen are drawing nearer: The Alien and the Omen (part 1 and part 2).
    VC XVI, Burn baby burn:Nero
    VC XVIII, This is Heresy! Torquemada
    VC XX, Elder Evil: Henry Bowyer

    And a repository of deliciously absurd sentences produced by maddened optimisers in my extended signature

  30. - Top - End - #60
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: Cosmic Hunters (IC)

    Delja opens the door to find a bedroom. It is a dimly lit, comfortable room with a low ceiling. An ornate four-poster bed sits against the wall, with no evidence it was ever used. Flanking the room are two small reading alcoves, within half-full bookshelves with decorative paraphernalia filling the gaps. The books are memoirs and journals, and the paraphernalia various minerals and art objects collected from across the planes.

    After a careful scan, Delja notices a notebook tucked under the covers of the bed. She can barely make out "SHIPPING" in the part of the title that is visible.

    ────────────────────────────────

    Ux opens the door to find an almost-empty storage chamber. Shelves that once stored mundane equipment, rations, and trade goods form lanes across the chamber. Only a small fraction of what was once there remain: ink, parchment, chalk, spyglasses, notebooks, folded linen, silk cords, candles, tea leaves, iron pots, and spell component pouches.

    It is dark and musty. This room has not been visited in some time.

    ────────────────────────────────

    Myriad considers. She is not quite sure she grasps the principles of arcana running the artificial magic sphere before her, but there is a curious lack of the normal tells of evil or affliction or energy drain associated with the strong energy of necromancy which permeates it. Standard theory suggests that this ties into the other face of necromancy, namely its role in the manipulation of soul. (As many talented necromancers would complain, the field has been misjudged due to its poor name and connotations of raising the dead, whereas its true purpose is the study the soul. An argument many laymen find uncompelling due to the absurd prevalence of the walking dead.)

    There is planar power here. Though the Lady of Pain prevents the creation of portals that leave Sigil proper, nothing prevents a talented mage from conjuring a pocket plane contained within the cosmic topology of the City of Doors, and whatever the sphere is it carries the cadence of that magic.

    And like many things of planar power there is a key that accesses them, whether a literal object, the presence of a person, or a spoken word.

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