Cosmic Hunters (IC)

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Carefully squeezes past her companions, Myriad carefully scans the room. Taking note of the row of luxurious couches and then the far wall of totally opaque, ocean-blue crystal. "The Wall has a moderate aura of Abjuration. The plaques under the levers read, 'Observation Lights, Ritual Information, Plane Information, Summon Servants, Theater Channel, Conference Channel, Emergency Channel, and Emergency Quarantine' in Draconic and give of auras of abjuration, conjuration, divination, evocation, and illusion. Fairly high-end bit of magecraft, if they function as advertised, as far as I can imagine. I'm assuming the 'threater channel' and 'plane information' are our best safe-ish bet to test, if we want, when I'm done."

Nodding, she begins to make a slow, careful circuit around the room, checking for traps, saving the panel and levers for last to check over.

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/+12 (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]

Trap check in spoiler above.

[chaincomplex]

Delja strains to listen. She hears the mule, back in the hall, stepping in place and snorting. She hears the softest rush of air from the door as her companions enter the room. She hears the sturdy steps of the dragonborn, accompanied by the occasional clicking of his weathered scales. She hears utter silence: these walls insulate noise the way only a foot of stone can.

Myriad does her rounds. The room is clear of hazards, save for whatever hazards the levers can unleash.

[remetagross]

"No more...Obyrith sounds?" asks Ux Utanar in a puzzled voice. He moves further in the room, reading the Draconic instructions.
"It could be useful if we could find records of some sort. Maybe a journal somewhere?"
The dragonborn sits where "Plane information" is written, and haphazardly taps on the panel to try and activate some device.

[Metastachydium]

No more obyrith sounds. Delja confirms, letting her feet sink into the carpet. It still feels weird. Knowing our luck, they went ethereal or something. she adds, as she approaches the blue wall herself, having acclimated herself to the texture of the new floor. And, um, Ux? she places her left on the knight's wrist. We've talked about this, damn it. Yes, intel on this place'd be welcome, but could we maybe let 'Druce' handle that thing?

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Nodding in satisfaction that there are no active hazards, the group's trap-spotter meanders over to the same portion of controls that the beefy dragonborn seems most interested in. Nodding at Delja's comment, she briefly slips her dagger in its sheath and cracks her knuckles loudly before drawing it again and glancing at her companions. "Let's see if this is labeled correctly, shall we?"

inspecting the lever and section of the wall near it, Myriad pauses expectantly and waits for her companions to give her the go-ahead before attempting to activate the 'Plane Information' function of this magical construction.

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/+12 (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: Already Clear

Use Magic Device (When the group is ready and gives the go ahead): (1d20+30)[44]

[Metastachydium]

Letting go of Ux Utanar's arm, Delja makes a couple of impatient gestures with her free hand, urging the changeling to activate the device. We have things to kill; let's get done with this.

[chaincomplex]

Myriad pulls the lever. It easily rotates into place with a click, before returning to its original position when she lets go. She is certain there is no trick to it—the device was made for laymen to operate.

The sounds of a soft bell rings in the room, then an image appears on the crystal wall. It does not take long for the party to recognize it as a full map of the complex (see the battle grid). Small figures move on it: three humanoids in the party's room, namely the party themselves; a huge, writhing creature in the room K39 just south of the party, interacting with some complex arcane machinery; what appears to be dead humanoids at Q29, AM23, AM29, F16, O43, and P43; a large, arachnid creature at U5; and eight of the same aberrations from earlier scattered across the complex. The scene plays out like a macabre dollhouse.

At the same time, a transparent figure appears before the party at N36. It is liveried like a butler, but beneath the fabric is a cloud wisp in approximation of a humanoid. It speaks Draconic in an airy, male voice: "I am Pilot, the genius loci of the Five Pebbles. We are currently moored in a temporary demiplane with standard laws. All methods of egress presently blocked due to quarantine breach. Engines and environment control nominal. Crew status: six deceased, one soul trapped.

"State your query, guest."

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Waving at the apparition, Myriad smiles and replies in draconic - for anyone with an ear for the language, her accent is distinctly aristocratic...which is entirely at odds with her stream-of-consciousness word vomit. "Hello, Pilot!" Glancing at her companions, she shrugs. "Can you...uh...maybe tell us more details about the erm...' containment breach'? Like...uh what was contained, what breached, and the 'quarantine protocol' details? Oh! And about the dead people. The uh..crew? Wait...crew implies like...a ship, right? And your name is Pilot...." Eyes going wide, she excitedly continues, "Is this a ship? Like...a planar ship?" Clearly having forgotten her line of questioning, her voice becomes very excited at her last question. Hiding her mouth from the apparition, she clearly mouths the Common word 'DIBS!' with exaggerated enunciation her companions with a look of wild and unadulterated glee in her eyes, clearly too excited to explain what exactly she is attempting to call 'dibs' on.

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/+12 (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: Already Clear

[Metastachydium]

You're killing me, Druce. Delja remarks with a pained grimace and a sigh. For the sake of us all, please do ignore everything she's said after dead people. We're after that. People. she turns to address Pilot in a harsh but otherwise flawless troglodyte dialect.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Sense Motive on Pilot: (1d20+15)[25]

[chaincomplex]

Pilot considers Delja's interruption briefly, then replies, "An artifact was brought aboard the Five Pebbles and contained in the ritual chamber for study and decommission. Quarantine protocols were activated, involving force and prismatic walls over all external portals, activation of decontamination wards in the main hall, and the sequestering of the Five Pebbles in a temporary demiplane. During the period of observation the subject item attempted to conjure creatures within the ritual chamber, which was blocked by our defenses. After several failures in this vein, the subject item used two wishes: one to bring the lower planes denizens presently aboard, another to soul trap the principal investigator.

"In the ensuing confusion, the wards in the main hall were broken, and the remaining crew killed in action. Among the deceased: Engineer Sunsdóttir, Quartermaster Tsana, Pathfinder Nokor, Marine Diligence, Marine Burtrann, and Marine Fist."

[Metastachydium]

What Joy! Delja quips sardonically. Can you name the imprisoned lead investigator for us? she thinks for a second. And maybe point out wherein the, um, artifact is contained? Is it somehow she gestures towards the blue wall the thing that obyrith's staring at over there?

[chaincomplex]

Pilot responds without hesitation, "The soul-trapped crewmember is Navigator Teru. The artifact is located in the ritual chamber, in the aftmost compartment, portside. The largest of the lower planes intruders is attempting to interface with it."

[remetagross]

Ux looks at the others with an air of ah-ah ! He asks in a stern voice:
"Pilot, could you identify or at least describe the intruders, their power and what they are currently doing ? Maybe scrying on them right now ?"

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Myriad's mouth opens and closes several times as she fails to find adequate words. Her eyes are wide and filled with unspoken feelings of betrayal as she silently stares at Delja with the absolute saddest pouty-face a dwarf can make.

Spoiler: The Guild of Crushed Dreams

Show

Attempting to guilt Delja into feeling bad for dream-crushing.
Bluff: 60
Diplomacy: 50
Intimidate: 50

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/+12 (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: Already Clear

[chaincomplex]

Pilot sweeps their arms towards the crystal surface. The map of the complex is immediately replaced by three images, creatures in suspended animation. One the party recognizes as the aberrant creature they fought earlier.

Of the other two, one is a large spider-like creature, except that it has ten legs, numerous arm-length tentacles spilling forth from where the mouth would normally be, three long and vicious tentacles tipped with stingers extending from its abdomen, and nine red eyes arrayed asymmetrically about its head.

The last one is a bloated creature that appears to be a crude amalgamation of huge, deformed heads, connected by bleeding, rotting tumors, and secured by thick, shifting chains. Its two largest eyes, yellow and predatory, are accompanied by a massive fanged maw. Countless little arms extend from its body, performing various tasks. Several are holding books. One is clutching a large black pearl.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

After a moment, the images jerk to life. Of the aberrations the party fought earlier, the party sees one sauntering down a hall, trailing nauseating slime in its wake. After some inspection it is clear this is aberration A3 moving to the door at H11.

Of the arachnid creature O2, the party sees it standing before a large, complex control panel in a spacious chamber. Behind it, some large, dizzying magical contraption swirls with a kaleidoscope of colors (K7). The creature is murmuring to itself in its archaic Abyssal as it probes the switches and knobs on the panels. Delja recognizes the voice.

Of the chained creature O1, the party sees it interacting with some kind of machinery, a runed stone platform with brass and glass piping and wires running across its surfaces, and a massive series of connected spikes and conductors, lined with pulsating blue arcane circuits, all arrayed at a heavy if nondescript black leather tome sitting atop it (I40). Two of the creature's hands feed a broken length of piping dripping glowing blue substance into one of its many mouths. The image persists for only a moment, before one of the creature's eyes looks straight at the party and the scene turns pitch black.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

"It found the scrying sensor," says Pilot dryly. "In any event, I'm not equipped to answer material questions about our guests, other than to say the arachnoid can teleport and the chained one can spellcast."

[Metastachydium]

Alright. Delja nods. So we have Teru and… oh no. Did she just make Myriad almost cry? That can't be good. With an exasperated sigh, she places a small, webbed hand on the changeling's arm. I hate you, Druce, did you know that? she says encouraginigly. And you can have the thing once we're done with it, just stop making that face. 'Til then… she goes on soothingly. Why don't we go and stab something to death? The many-faced thing, maybe? Would that make you feel better?

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Huge, slightly watery eyes wide, Myriad lets out a small sound of happiness, "Really?!" She throws a fist into the air in triumph with a cheer before snatching Delja into a quick hug, already prancing away before she has a chance to react, already with her dagger in hand blurring between her fingers in intricate flips and twirls. "Lets go stab all the things!"

Turning around, still walking backward, she calls out to Pilot, "Thanks, Pilot! If you can do any more quarentiney things to the doorways to keep these things even better contained, feel free to do so! Stuff like that shouldn't bother us much. We'll take care of these critters and then we'll see what we can do about your trapped friend. Can you let us know remotely if things change so we can help with any new issues?"

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/+12 (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: Already Clear

[Metastachydium]

Still winded by the unforeseen hug, Delja bites her lower lip, somewhat concerned as she watches Myriad skip away merrily. How come I already regret this? she mutters. More importantly, though, she's supposed to be a heartless, blooded killer for hire! How does that damn changeling even do these things? Come on, Ux, let's pick up that pace before she runs into something too big for her alone. she adds with a big, fat sigh. Hells, it's not like we can even leave this place, should something happen to her.

[chaincomplex]

In response to Myriad, Pilot bows in an exaggerated manner, then he vanishes along with the images on the crystal surface. The room is silent and lifeless once again.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

As the party leaves through the hall with Myriad leading, they hear Ereshki screech in alarm, shortly followed by Myriad's mule making something between a drawn-out whinny and a whimper. Roll for initiative!

[remetagross]

Ux Utanar watches Myriad's antics with a mixture of amusement and wariness.
"There there, you'll be sure to have that place for you at the end of it. If only because I doubt Master Teru will be able to resist these tearful eyes." He smiles as the two women hug.

"Yes, we'll take care of her, Delja, as we've always done." Marching behind the enthusiastic changeling, Ux Utanar is wondering which creature they are going to face first. But then, the cry of alarm of his dire bat turns up the adrenalin into him. He starts running towards his mount, seizing his sword two-handed.

"By the Platinum Knight! Something has arrived in the hallway!"

[chaincomplex]

Turn Order. Aberration A2 → Arachnoid O2 → Players' Block → Aberration A1.

Aberration A2. Delays.

Arachnoid O2. It moves with suddenness, grace, and purpose. It teleports forth and attacks!

• Swift Action: Vanishes from V8 and reappears at U24.
• Full-Round Action: Full attacks Ereshki (Er). 3× stings hit for 12, 9, and 14 hp damage respectively; plus 1 Strength damage (DC 29 Fortitude save negates), 3 Dexterity damage (DC 29 Fortitude save negates, save separately), and 3 Charisma damage (DC 29 Fortitude save negates, save separately). 2× tentacles miss, 3× tentacles hit for 8 hp damage plus 4 acid damage, 5 hp damage plus 4 acid damage, and 10 hp damage plus 9 acid damage.
• 5-Foot Step: Steps from U24 to V23.

Despite the constant chittering of the aberrations around it, the arachnoid remains silent, its many red eyes hatefully watching. It knows Ereshki is not the main threat.

Aberration A2. Acts. It burbles nonsense in Common as it moves to join the fray.

• Move Action: Moves from Y7 to V13.
• Standard Action: Moves from V13 to V21.

"Are you lost, little one?" it squeals at Ereshki, spittle flying from its maw. "Where are your parents? Why don't you come with us?"

Turn Order. Arachnoid O2 → Aberration A2 → Players' Block → Aberration A1.

[remetagross]

Ux Utanar can hear the roar of pain of Ereshki from a distance. She is not prepared to deal with that kind of monster by herself! He barrels through Myriad and Delja, barely stopping to turn right at the corner of the hallway, and now he sees a confusing tangle of...pseudopods and limbs everywhere. But Ereshki cannot be seen. The dragonborn is seized by a great anger, and he shouts a mighty cry to the arachnoid thing and he gibbering abomination at the end of the lobby.

"You unholy monsters, stop attacking foes that are weaker than yourself, and come to face me in the battlefield, if you so dare! By Bahamut, be prepared toface my wrath and meet your end here!"

In the meantime, the wounded Ereshki reverts to a very simple battle behaviour, which is to flee. Cornered, it flies back 5 ft to the south and as low to the ground as possible (since it was up to the ceiling) to put some distance between her and the spider-like creature.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Two move actions to get to square M23 (Ux Utanar suffers no speed reduction for wearing medium armour).
Swift action to initiate a Test of Mettle towards the monsters. Will save DC 37 or they have to attack no one else than Ux Utanar for the next 17 rounds. This only works if the creatures have a CR of 18 or greater, an Int score of 5 or greater and possess a language. But it works even if they are immune to mind-affecting effects.
Ereshki moves to U27 in a move action.

[Metastachydium]

Rusty. All rusty. How does Ux Utanar react faster than her? Delja shoots forward and rounds the corner, slipping past the knight. Maybe she should move further yet? She could do so, she hasn't used the belt yet. But what would be the point of that? She'd stand alone. and that wouldn't be… Ideal. The nixie's well aware that she's probably overthinking it, but her advance still grinds to a halt. Still, her head's largely clear; thinking shows that. They'll need a couple of clear heads for this. Keep calm, Ux. she calls back, without turning. Myriad needs no real reason to be rash. Were the dragonborn to enter some kind of vengeful frenzy… That could get interesting.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Having a single swift action is a pain. I went through, like, a billion combinations and by the time I came up with something other than "double move", Ux Utanar went forth, making "chrge defensively" less than feasible.

Delja moves to O23 and stands by.

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Barrelling around the corner, Myriad leans hard as she does so, hugging the wall and raising her free hand to unhesistatingly fire off an eldritch blast parallel to the wall by mere centimeters, keeping the center of the hallway free for her companions' own movement, her face fixed with a chilling smile.

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/+12 (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: Already Clear

Move 30' to square K23

Eldritch Blast Attack vs Touch AC on target O2: (1d20+20)[27] for (3d6)[13] Untyped Magic Damage if successful.

[chaincomplex]

The arachnoid O2 tanks the eldritch blast. It barely reacts to Myriad's presence, its many red eyes all fixed on Ux.

Myriad's Mule. The mule flees south in fear.

• Full-Round Action: Withdraws from W25 to X28.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Aberration A1. It moves to join the fray, but sees Ereshki in the process and pivots to attacking.

• Move Action: Moves from S6 to V12.
• Standard Action: Uses a spell-like ability. The dire bat blinks, shakes it head, and squeaks. Its mind is being affected! It is a Will save (DC 18) to avoid the state of confusion.

"Come here, little one," the aberration burbles. "Comeherecomeherecomehere—"

Arachnoid O2. It murmurs in its archaic dialect of Abyssal, its voice deep and alien. "Szara ak tûl, trizg mes tûl." It is a Decipher Script check for any Abyssal speaker to interpret.

• Standard Action: Uses a spell-like ability. The dragonborn feels his muscles knot impossibly densely, the skin under his scales turn hard and cracked, his airway closing as he struggles to breathe. He is turning to stone! It is a Fortitude save (DC 23) to negate.
• Move Action: Moves from V23 to U24

Aberration A2. Sizing up the width of the hall, it decides instead to attack Ereshki. "There's no need to be afraid, little one," it chitters. "We are just going to play."

• Move Action: Moves from V21 to W25.
• Standard Action: Bites Ereshki. It hits for 16 hp damage. A foul orange venom seeps into the wound. It is a Fortitude save (DC 23) to avoid being poisoned.

Turn Order. Arachnoid O2 → Aberration A2 → Players' Block → Aberration A1.

[Metastachydium]

Delja closes her eyes in frustration for a split second before glancing back. Much to her satisfaction the obyrith's apparently trying to petrify Ux Utanar. Good luck with that! Satisfied, she turns back almost in the same instant to face the arachnoid monstrosity again. Where did you learn to speak, ugly? she quips in the finest Abyssal she can produce just as she leans forward and activates her belt. The world seems to slow down all around her the moment all colour fades from a bead on the buckle; time is her ally now and she sprints forward, halting gracefully inches away from the obyrith, a foot sliding back as she assumes a stable stance that lets her weave, forward to swing, and away from stings at her leisure and sting she does. In a blur of motion, her blade darts forth, once, twice, four times, aiming for the eyes, eager to draw ichor.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Delja swift action activates her Belt of Battle to gain a move action; 2/3 charges remain;
she then move action closes the distance with O2, ending on U23, activating Child of Shadow and gaining concealment against all attacks;
finally, she full-attacks defensively (AC 71, touch 62):
(1d20+30)[43] for (1d6+20)[21] magical piercing plus (1d6)[4] cold plus (1d4)[2] force;
(1d20+25)[30] for (1d6+20)[21] magical piercing plus (1d6)[6] cold plus (1d4)[1] force;
(1d20+20)[25] for (1d6+20)[24] magical piercing plus (1d6)[6] cold plus (1d4)[3] force;
(1d20+15)[34] for (1d6+20)[22] magical piercing plus (1d6)[1] cold plus (1d4)[3] force.
All attacks crit on 17+; they could possibly count as cold iron, but I realise I never specified that Delja activates the metalline quality when she learned that it's demons.

Also, an untrained Decipher Script for the heck of it: (1d20+7)[18]

[Geeksthenewsexy]

As any potential target moves further into the chamber, out of her view, Myriad leans forward and puts on more speed, slipping past Delja and readying her dagger as she takes in the situation in the room. "Duck and Weave, Magical Mule #2!"

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/+12 (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: Already Clear

Move 30' to square K23

Double Move Action (60' total, from K23 to W23), having lost line-of-sight/effect.

[remetagross]

Ux Utanar fights against the magic seeping through his body, and after a few seconds he feels his organism free of the petrification power. Concentrated on the arachnoid monstrosity that seems to have answered his challenge - his conscious mnd has filtered the gibberish away - he decides now is the time to join the fray. The aberrations have had sufficient warning that their actions would be met with consequences. The dragonborn lets his greatsword drop to the ground with a clank, and his lance magically springs to his hands. Knights do not always fight from dire batback. He shouts with great fury, briefly clicks his two gloves together, with his shield still floating behind him, and charges.

"For the Platinum Dragon!"

In the meantime, Ereshki, wounded, cornered, and unable to attack any supernatural monstrosities without the supervision of her master, flutters her wings desperately to bat away (got it? haha) her foes.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Free action: the arachnoid is designed as the target for the Shield block class feature of Ux Utanar, which grants him a +3 shield AC versus that foe.
Free action: drop the greatsword.
Free action: draw the lance two-handed (because there is a lesser crystal of alacrity on it that gives Quick Draw to the weapon).
Swift action: activate the 1/day True Strike effect of the Gloves of the Master Strategist.
Full-round action: charge up to S23, dishing out a single melee attack to the arachnoid O2 at the end of the charge. Power Attack for -15 to-hit, +30 to damage.The lance has the Valorous property, which doubles damage on a successful charge. To-hit: (1d20+33)[35]. Damage: (1d8+38)[44] times two. -2 to AC for this round.
Note: everyone is now within 30ft of Ux Utanar and benefits from a +4 to all Fort saves thanks to his Draconic Aura (stamina).

Also, in case O2 leaves its square, there's a -20 penalty to Tumble checks to avoid AoOs, and even 5ft-steps trigger one. In case Ux Utanar is entitled to an AoO: (1d20+3)[22] damage (1d8+38)[40] and in case there's a hit, Ux Utanar will use its Stand Still feat to, instead of inflicting damage, asking for a Ref save the DC of which is equal to the damage that would otherwise have been dealt. In case of failure, O2 cannot move.

Lastly, due to the Mage Slayer feat, O2 cannot cast defensively.

Ereshki does not move and takes the total defense action to raise her AC to 34.

[chaincomplex]

Delja. As the nixie moves to engage, the arachnoid lashes out at her twice with inhuman speed. Matching its speed, she dodges both strikes, one just barely, then delivers her own. Two of Delja's attacks land, biting deep into the arachnoid's alien physiology. Its "hide" is as tough as steel, but Delja still manages to slice straight through it. Dark, inhuman blood coats her blade. Her critical strike misses as the arachnoid's form suddenly displaces out of the path of the attack. The arachnoid seems totally unharmed by the repeated cold assaults.

No luck on understanding the creature.

Myriad. As the "dwarf" slips past the front, the arachnoid lashes out thrice with its stingers, striking with pinpoint accuracy and speed. Two of the attacks land. First, Myriad takes 23 hp damage. Additionally, she takes 4 Dexterity damage (DC 29 Fortitude save to negate) and is staggered (DC 30 Fortitude save to negate). Second, Myriad takes 27 hp damage. Additionally, she takes 1 Dexterity damage (DC 29 Fortitude save to negate) and is staggered (DC 30 Fortitude save to negate).

Ux. The dragonborn's attack lands, lance skewering right into the creature's body, spraying its blood in a wide arc across the hall. The arachnoid leans into the blow, many red eyes staring hatefully at Ux.

Ereshki. After a few shakes of her head, she is free of the magic's influence.

Myriad's Mule. The mule cowers in its corner.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Aberration A1. It moves to join the battle then attacks Delja.

• Move Action: Moves from V12 to V20.
• Standard Action: Attacks Delja. The nixie dodges with ease.
• Swift Action: Uses spell-like ability. Its tentacles radiate arcane energy, and Delja begins to radiate a shadowy field. All creatures within 20 ft. gain concealment, even those with darkvision or low-light vision.

"It's nighttime," the aberration burbles. "You need to go to bed!"

New Foes. The door Y23 bursts open. In the hallway, squeezed so tightly that its nauseating flesh fills almost all the space, an aberration A5 frantically moves to join the battle. Behind it there is yet another of the aberrations (A4), it too moving to join the battle.

Arachnoid O2. The creature's wounds are not minor, yet it does not seem in the least bit perturbed. It calmly assesses its status, then delivers a parting attack before teleporting some distance away.

• Full-Round Action: Makes a full attack against Ux. It attacks with stingers thrice, only one landing. The knight takes 10 hp damage. Additionally, he takes 2 Strength damage (DC 29 Fortitude save to negate). It attacks with its tentacles five times, only twice getting past Ux's defense. Ux takes 6 hp damage and 5 acid damage, then 7 hp damage and 8 acid damage. Ux's retributive amulet lashes back at the arachnoid with a surge of energy, yet all of it dissipates harmlessly against its hide.
• Free Action: Speaks to the aberrations, "Aketûn vol." Its deep voice sounds almost amused.
• Swift Action: Uses spell-like ability. It teleports from V24 to V12.

Aberration A2. It steps closer and its saucer eye flashes red. The party feels a familiar force trying to freeze their movements. "Why are you hurting us?" it burbles. "We're only trying to help..."

• 5-Foot Step: Steps from W26 to V25.
• Standard Action: Uses supernatural ability. Delja, Myriad, and Ux (and Ereshki) each have to make Will save (DC 20) or be paralyzed!

Turn Order. Arachnoid O2 → Aberration A2 → Players' Block → Aberration A1 → Aberration A4 → Aberration A5.

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Taking the two hits with a hiss, Myriad's nearly feral grin twists into a rictus snarl of anger and bloodlust. "Oi! Stabbing **** is MY job! Putting her words into practice, she lunges in, fainting, and quickly stabbing at the abomination's vital spots as best as she can fathom them, seeking to regain her own lost vitality by stealing her foe's.

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/+12 (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: Already Clear

5' Move if this would make the target flanked. No move at all if not.

Free Action - Bluff Check to Faint (Sense Motive Check of higher value Negates) Base 60 - 4 for Nonhumanoid = 56 (Additional -8 for a total of 48 if creature only has 1-2 Int)
Full Attack

1. (1d20+27)[36] for (1d4+10)[14] Piercing, (1d6)[3] Vampiric (Heals Myriad by same amount), (7d6)[28] Sneak Attack, & -1/Round Bleed Damage
2. (1d20+22)[37] for (1d4+10)[12] Piercing, (1d6)[3] Vampiric (Heals Myriad by same amount), (7d6)[32] Sneak Attack, & -1/Round Bleed Damage
3. (1d20+17)[30] for (1d4+10)[14] Piercing, (1d6)[1] Vampiric (Heals Myriad by same amount), (7d6)[23] Sneak Attack, & -1/Round Bleed Damage
4. (1d20+12)[20] for (1d4+10)[14] Piercing, (1d6)[5] Vampiric (Heals Myriad by same amount), (7d6)[20] Sneak Attack, & -1/Round Bleed Damage

Note: The Bleeding Wounds caused by the invisible blade's dagger bleeds for 1 point of damage per round. Multiple wounds from the weapon result in a cumulative bleeding loss (two wounds for 2 points of damage per round, and so on). The bleeding can only be stopped by a DC 15 Heal check or the application of any cure spell or other healing spell (heal, healing circle, and so on). Creatures immune to sneak attack damage are immune to bleeding wounds as well.

Also, I added Sneak Attack Damage for each in case the Faint works, but the sneak attack damage (and bleed) only applies to the first attack that hits unless it is also considered flanked, in which case all instances of sneak attack damage should apply, regardless of faint's effectiveness.

(Please indicate either how much Myriad heals via vampiric damage, or at least which strikes connect so I can tabulate healing accurately)