Manny Mo'Jac says, "Playas sound off"
Harrowhark says, "Yo."
Vendrik eats a cat.
Kiara feeds Vendrik to Snickers' ghost.
Mike says, "Yeargh."
Episode 11: Fun in the Tower.
You are in the ruins of a wizard's bedroom; the wizard is dead under his own bed. He is close to rotting away to nothing. His staff still lies on the floor; his cat is playing with Kiara. There are four exits; you came in by the one from the northeast; exits lead southwest, south east, and northeast; there is also a window that opens onto a balcony.
Niamh says, "The staff has a trap on it; magical, yet not beyond the skills of our sneaky sorts, I think."
Kiara says, "Hm, OK, we'll give it a shot." She puts the cat down and goes over to look at the staff.
Niamh hurriedly moves to a safe distance, behind Vendrik.
DC 20; Dex + Thievery + Level!
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+4+5+2"
Result is: (1d20+4+5+2) 18 for Kiara
Mike says, "Don't forget you can use trap sense."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d20+10 4d6"
Result is: (1d20+10) 26 (4d6) 17 for Manny Mo'Jac
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Unfortunately, it's natural even."
Kiara burns down to 10 HP and the trap resets to wait for the next chump
Kiara burns a recovery.
Akio says, "John, I have a question."
Akio says, "Before Travis rolls."
Voice of John Biles says, "FIRE AWAY"
Akio says, "You have a cleric in the party. A cleric who has explicitly specialized in healing magic. And the recoveries granted by my heal spell, which recharges after every encounter, grant bonus healing."
Akio asks, "How and in what circumstances may I use the heal spell out-of-combat such as in situations precisely like this one to help people heal more-er?"
Voice of John Biles says, "I think I will say that basically, you get three uses before the next fight and then it's out until you're in a battle."
Voice of John Biles says, "Yeah."
Voice of John Biles says, "So you could use a Heal on Travis here."
Harrowhark uses a heal on Kiara so she gets the bonus.
Kiara says, "roll 2d8"
Result is: (2d8) 6 for Kiara
Frito asks, "...wow. OK, what was the bonus?"
Akio says, "You get your con mod and bonuses equal to twice my level."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC You add your Con bonus and +4 from Harrowhark"
Kiara says, "OOC OK, that gives me a 12 total."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Samantha, do you want to take a shot at the trap? It's DC 20 and you could roll Dex or Int + Level + Spymaster on it. "
Manny Mo'Jac exclaims, "OOC You're at 22!"
Samantha takes a shot at it
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+3+2+3"
Result is: (1d20+3+2+3) 26 for Samantha
Samantha demonstrates her MAD SKILLS
The staff is now safe to pick up and eat... well, pick up.
Samantha asks, "clear. Who wants it?"
Niamh says, "Allow me to ascertain what it does, first."
Kiara sticks out her tongue at Niamh. "Maybe it'll turn her into a wombat."
Akio says, "John, clarify something that I am unclear on."
Akio says, "The belt on the cat."
Akio asks, "Is the belt keeping it alive in a "if you remove it will suddenly age several thousand years and cumble to dust" sense, or in a "it allowed the cat to survive towerpocalypse" sense?"
Voice of John Biles says, "You could safely take it off the cat without murder now."
Akio says, "Travis, sounds like your job, as the one who has won the cats trust."
Frito asks, "So give it to one of the squishies, is what you're saying?"
Voice of John Biles says, "It's a Belt of Giant Health; +1 Recovery and when you use that recovery, you roll d12s"
Akio says, "Squishies? Hell no."
Akio says, "That's tank loot."
Akio says, "MAYBE one of the rogues."
Frito says, "I was thinking 'protect the most fragile ones,' but OK."
Akio says, "The most fragile people are best protected by... the tank."
Voice of John Biles says, "Given that the rogues get maimed all the time, giving one of them it would probably be good but it is tank loot"
Akio says, "Who has in fact been doing a good job, as Vendrik takes more damage than the rest of us."
Kiara goes over and gives the kitty earskritchies again, then tries to gently take the belt off.
DaR From Another Place says, "Given I already have d10 recoveries, a d12 is not nearly as much an improvement as it would be for a d8 class."
The Kitty lets you do so.
Akio says, "That said the rogues aren't a bad choice."
Niamh's eyes glitter. "This is a powerful mage-staff. Sadly, too powerful. I cannot handle the energies required to bend it to my will. Yet. In time, it shall serve me. But not today."
Akio says, "It definitely shouldn't go to me, who is just as durable as Dan, or to Mike, who almost never gets hit."
Tobias says, "Right."
DaR From Another Place says, "The extra recovery would matter more if it weren't for Harrow the living recovery-distribution-station."
Akio exclaims, "Yup!"
Frito says, "Righto."
Frito asks, "Any preference on which rogue gets it, then, or just flip a coin?"
DaR From Another Place says, "No care here. Do remember that there's a limit of how many magic items you can have equal to level, any more and you start getting undesirable "quirks"."
DaR From Another Place says, "(another reason I don't really want/need it; I'm already at 2 items)"
Voice of John Biles says, "That would make Samantha the better choice"
Frito says, "Yeah. Mine weren't a big problem before I leveled ('quicker to take offense' and 'Develops a love for elegant elven poetry'), but better safe than sorry."
Sniper Ox asks, "wait, what item we talking about?"
DaR From Another Place says, "The cat was wearing a belt of giant health. Gives 1 extra recovery, and when you use it, it's d12 instead of your normal dice, so probably extra HP."
DaR From Another Place says, "The extra recovery basically doesn't matter much, due to Merc's cleric power, but getting a recovery with d12s is a pretty big help for you."
Harrowhark investigates the balcony, trying to orient herself if possible.
Sniper Ox says, "i'll take it then"
The Balcony proves to oepn downward into the crawl space under this whole complex.
Harrowhark says, "Okay."
Harrowhark backs away cautiously, shutting the doors behind her.
From here, you could go northeast, southwest, or southeast.
Samantha says, "maybe going under would be a handy shortcut."
Niamh tries to orient herself as to which direction the center is in.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Roll Wisdom + Pilgrimage Traveller + Level, DC 15"
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+2"
Result is: (1d20+4+2) 12 for Mike
You are unusure.
Niamh says, "I am afraid I have gotten a bit turned around."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Anyone else can try with Wisdom + a relevant background to navigating (Harrow can use Dungeoneering)"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+6"
Result is: (d20+6) 12 for Manny Mo'Jac
Luke looks around, then says, "Uhh... this is more of a mess than Granny's home."
Kiara asks, "OOC Hm, would Roof Rats at least give Kiara a feel for how buildings normally go together?"
Numo glares at the cat and waggles a hand at it as it approaches him. It licks his finger and he howls and hides under the bed, sees the dead wizard remains, howls AGAIN and runs into a closet.
The cat begins stalking towards the closet.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC YEah, that's basically Parkour"
Kiara snickers at Numo.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Which requires a sense of direction"
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+2"
Result is: (1d20+2) 14 for Kiara
Niamh says, "Numo, don't rummage in dead wizard's closets."
Kiara's gut tells her to go crawl in the mud, but that doesn't seem right.
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d20+9"
Result is: (1d20+9) 25 for Harrowhark
The cat slowly closes in on Numo, who builds a fort out of shoes.
Harrowhark gets a small bowl and floats a bone needle in some water in it.
Vendrik waits patiently while the experts investigate, idly re-edging his blade and hammering small dents out of his shield and armor.
Niamh spends the time securing the staff in an oilcloth wrapping and stowing it safely on her back.
Niamh then pauses, and seems to consider something.
Niamh looks down at the rosary on her belt, frowns, and looks irritated.
Niamh finally says, grudgingly, "We should consider something."
Kiara gives Niamh a raised eyebrow look.
Voice of John Biles says, "'Numo may be sensing the evil of cheesecake'"
Harrowhark says, "We should go back to the music room."
Harrowhark says, "That will move us closer to the center."
The cat begins to assail Numo's fortress as he frantically tries to maintain it.
Kiara wanders Numo-wards. "Want some help, hmmm?"
Samantha says, "well, if that's what you figure."
Harrowhark asks, "What should we be considering, Niamh?"
Niamh says, "My deceased colleague obviously was fond enough of this damnable cat to ensure it would survive by putting the belt on it. If left here it will starve to death. We..." she grimaces, "should take it safely out of here, since we are taking the mage's treasures. That is... just."
Kiara says, "Well, of course! Cat owners will curse you without a second thought."
The cat breaks through the fortress and begins to relentlessly groom Numo, which is going to take a lot of work and Numo flails like he is being murdered.
Harrowhark says, "Cats are surprisingly good a surviving, but this is a domesticated animal clearly used to receiving its food from a bowl."
Harrowhark says, "You are correct, Niamh."
Numo makes noises like a very small elephant being beaten.
Niamh looks unhappy about being correct but simply scoops the cat up.
Kiara grins at Numo. "Although it seems like they can graze if necessary."
Vendrik says, "Worst case, is mobile rations."
The kitty doesn't resist.
Numo makes a happy noise.
Where to next, honkies?
Mike says, "OOC: Harrow said back to the music room, so I guess there."
Kiara leads the way back to the music room, since Harrowhark suggested it.
Harrowhark tries to orient herself again once in the music room.
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d20+9"
Result is: (1d20+9) 18 for Harrowhark
As you head there, you hear noises, the whole place shifting gently, but no disaster ensues. From the music room, you could go northwest or southeast easily; there is a jammed door going northeast. However....
As you enter, a small orb comes flying down the hallway from the northwest; it looks dangerous. What do you do as it approaches?
This is probably an automated defense thing.
Samantha hides in cover
Kiara finds her own place to duck!
Luke points his halbard at it. "Halt!"
Vendrik unslings his shield and sets himself, glancing as Niamh.
Numo howls, runs, hides inside the piano here.
Niamh ducks behind Vendrik, ready to lean out and fire if needed.
Harrowhark brings up her own shield and gets on the line with Vendrik.
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+4+2"
Result is: (1d20+4+4+2) 21 for Mike
Niamh leans out and shouts something in an archaic tongue. "AVAUNT CUNSTOCK, YTAGH WETCHWORD HIGHT: COLWAINDER RAD. SIGNIF."
The ball turns and goes back the way it came.
The piano makes random notes as Numo gibbers inside it.
Kiara goes over to play the piano. To give Numo something better to listen to, of course!
Niamh says coldly, "Stop cowering, Numo, you're embarrassing me."
Vendrik asks, "What did you tell it?"
Numo doesn't seem to care, though he does come out of the piano.
Niamh says, "I gave it a common passcode for constructs used by the Colleges in the Third Age."
Niamh says, "Highly secret then, less so now, if one is a sage."
Kiara says, "Oh,really? Cool!"
Akio says, "So what you're saying is, this Gnome Archmage did the equivalent of leaving his router set to "admin/password""
Voice of John Biles says, "Well, on this device, yeah."
So which way do you go?
Vendrik nods, and reslings. "So either safe, or it returns with small horde of friends."
You can go northwest or southeast easily or force a northeast door open
Niamh waits for Harrow's judgment, since she seems rather better at direction in here.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d12+4"
Result is: (1d12+4) 13 for Manny Mo'Jac
Akio asks, "Did I blow the direction roll, John?"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d10"
Result is: (1d10) 9 for Manny Mo'Jac
Voice of John Biles says, "..."
Voice of John Biles says, "I missed your roll, I'm sorry"
Harrowhark thinks THIS is the current center of the tower
But it wasn't originally in the center.
Akio asks, "Can you tell me if I made it or not?"
Voice of John Biles says, "Yes, you did."
Voice of John Biles says, "It's only DC 15"
The original center is probably nearby, though.
Akio says, "... I clearly didn't, actually, as it isn't giving me the information i wanted."
Akio says, "Unless that's coming."
Voice of John Biles asks, "What are you trying to figure out?"
Akio says, "Where the center of the tower -when it was standing- is."
Akio says, "Mike and I have been trying to do that since we entered."
Tobias says, "Yes."
Akio asks, "Was that not clear?"
Akio says, "Because I feel like we both clarified that more than once."
Voice of John Biles says, "You don't have precise knowledge to orient yourself; you are probably in the middle of the tower here, you think and the original center is likely nearby but you just don't have enough knowldge to perfectly pin it down."
Frito says, "Right, well, let's just pick a direction and try it, then."
Harrowhark says, "We're close."
Harrowhark says, "This is the center of the tower NOW."
Harrowhark says, "And what WAS the center is near."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d3"
Result is: (1d3) 2 for Manny Mo'Jac
Luke does a little prayer but this does not seem to accomplish anything and he sighs.
Niamh says, "Well, let us pick a door at random then."
Kiara says, "Yup."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "(OOC - Northwest, Southeast are easy access; Northeast is jammed shut. DC 15 Strength to break open)"
Vendrik points at the stuck door to the north east. "Universe hates us all. So, best answer is hardest one."
Harrowhark says, "I agree with this logic."
Kiara looks at Vendrik with respect. "...you got a point."
Samantha says bitterly, "Sure, why not?"
Luke says, "Then I will open it!"
Luke throws himself at the door.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+9"
Result is: (d20+9) 19 for Manny Mo'Jac
The door shatters.
Vendrik pauses as Luke gets to the door before him, then shrugs.
Niamh says, "Saves me a spell."
Vendrik grins. "I cast FIST."
Kiara says, "Luke cast 'HEAD'." She laughs.
Niamh peers to see what's on the other side of it.
Pieces of door fly across the circular room beyond; it contains three of the jumbled pile of rock golems and in the center is an ivory pillar connected to the walls by long thin runners of gold and silver; some of these connect to golem sized wall-niches. Some connect to the doorframe, what's left of it. A lot of rods are plugged into the pillar, covered with gold and silver and platinum traceries. One of them is the size of two spools of thread stuck to each other but radiates POWER. The golems immediately attack you. Roll Initiative
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d20+2x2"
Result is: (1d20+2) 5 (1d20+2) 21 for Harrowhark
Vendrik says, "See? Hard way is sometimes best way." He unslings his gear and prepares to fight.
Kiara says, "Roll 1d20+6"
Vendrik says, "roll d20+1"
Result is: (d20+1) 11 for Vendrik
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+5 d20+1"
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+3+2"
Result is: (d20+1) 18 (d20+5) 11 for Manny Mo'Jac
Result is: (1d20+3+2) 18 for Samantha
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+6"
Result is: (1d20+6) 26, crit for Kiara
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+3+2"
Result is: (1d20+3+2) 7 for Samantha
Akio says, "Critting on init rolls always seems vaguely insulting."
Frito says, "Yeah. Still, could be worse."
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4x2"
Result is: (1d20+4) 18 (1d20+4) 7 for Mike
Niamh says, "Numo, take the cat and go hide in the piano with it." Her tone brooks no argument.
Niamh says, "Return to me once the cat is secure in it."
Numo and the cat flee to the Piano.
Kiara, then Harrowhark, then Samantha!
There are three big rock golem monsters
Kiara asks, "OOC Are they in melee range yet?"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC no, but you could try a tumbling strike."
Frito says, "One disadvantage of going first is she can't sneak attack yet, because none of them are engaged. Might need to figure out a better opening move at some point."
Kiara says, "OOC OK, let's give that a try."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Roll to hit, then roll to disengage with +5 to the roll"
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+4+2+1 1d20+5"
Result is: (1d20+5) 23 (1d20+4+2+1) 12 for Kiara
Kiara hits! Roll to disengage!
DaR From Another Place says, "I think he rolled a miss but successful disengage."
Frito says, "Erm, the d20+5 was the disengage, yeah."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC OH RIGHT"
Voice of John Biles says, "I am illiterate"
Kiara strikes, misses, escapes!
Harrowhark, then Samantha, then Niamh
Voice of John Biles says, "Three PCs got an 18"
Voice of John Biles says, "For Init"
Harrowhark moves forward to block anything that gets past Vendrik from getting at Niamh, and then... what's the PD on these guys, John?
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC 17/15/12"
Harrowhark decides to hit the one most likely to engage Vendrik with her Javelin.
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d20+7"
Result is: (1d20+7) 26 for Harrowhark
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d6+7"
Result is: (1d6+7) 8 for Harrowhark
Akio sighs.
Sniper Ox says, "isn't that a 2d6 due to level or am i remembering the rules wrong"
Akio says, "Sorry for no buff, Dan, it just seemed like the odds were good enough for my Javelin to make it worth it."
Akio says, "Spells be different."
Niamh, then Luke, then your foes!
Akio says, "Of course, I then rolled a one."
DaR From Another Place says, "Melee goes up 1 die, every level. Spells go up at certain levels, and usually more than one die, or sometimes changing die type."
Akio says, "Not quite true."
Akio says, "Spells never go "up.""
Voice of John Biles says, "Spells go up if you cast them at a higher level"
Akio says, "But rather, there are different kinds of the same spell, which you gain access to at different levels, and some do more damage."
Sniper Ox asks, "say, wasn't sam next?"
Voice of John Biles says, "Aaargh, yes"
Akio says, "Like, I am gonna have some REAL hard choices to make at level 3."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Samantha, THEN Niamh, then Luke, then Foes, then Vendrik"
Akio says, "2/5ths of my spells will keep poking along at level one."
Samantha tumbling strikes at the one Harrowhark just tried to hit
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+3+2+3"
Result is: (1d20+3+2+3) 16 for Samantha
She narrowly misses; roll d20+5 to try to disengage
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+5"
Result is: (1d20+5) 25, crit for Samantha
Sniper Ox says, "oh, now i crit"
Samantha escapes! Now Niamh!
Niamh aims her wand at the golem Harrowhark hit and casts Frozen Stare of the Dancing Yug-Sage Nygothya.
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+2+1"
Result is: (1d20+4+2+1) 11 for Mike
The ice starts to form and the pillar eats it.
Luke points at one of the golems. "YOU AND ME! IN THE RUMBLE CAGE!"
Tobias says, "Still does 2 points of damage on a miss."
He then spits lightning and charges!
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+6 d20+7 d6+6 d10+7"
Result is: (d6+6) 11 (d10+7) 15 (d20+6) 15 (d20+7) 13 for Manny Mo'Jac
Golem Three takes 11 points. (Golem 2 was hit by Harrowhark)
Harrowhark, Vendrik, and Luke each get the loving punch of a 'friend'. roll d20+8x6
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Roll d20+8x6"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC roll d20+8x6"
DaR From Another Place says, "no 'OOC'. Or surround it with "
Result is: for DaR From Another Place
Voice of John Biles says, "roll d20+8x6"
Result is: (d20+8) 25 (d20+8) 15 (d20+8) 19 (d20+8) 14 (d20+8) 20 (d20+8) 25 for Voice of John Biles
Akio says, "Yeesh."
Akio asks, "Also, Dan, when did you say you get that power that lets you intercept things?"
DaR From Another Place asks, "I presume they've now moved into melee range?"
Akio says, "'cause if I wasn't here that golem would be all over Niamh."
Harrowhark is slugged for 12, dropping go 22. Verndrik also takes 12, dropping to 30. Luke takes 16, dropping to 18. All three are in melee and there is one each on Harrow, Vendrik, and Luke.
Luke's foe has been Paladin-Challenged
It's all Vendrik, all the time now!
DaR From Another Place says, "I don't need a power, unless they've got some sort of special phasing/flying/etc. If they try to go past you, you get to intercept. They have to disengage, and they would get -5 to that."
Vendrik slams into his Golem, ordering Kiara and Samantha to use their knives (inspire for +1 to hit for the next round) for resolve, and then tries carving up the golem d20+7 2d10+1d4+5
Result is: (2d10+1d4+5) 17 (d20+7) 26
DaR From Another Place says, "oooh, so close to a crit."
Frito says, "Soooo close. ^^;;"
Vendrik's foe is staggered.
DaR From Another Place says, "Hunh. Not that many hp."
Voice of John Biles says, "Harrowhark also hit it earlier"
Round 2 = The Escalation Die is a 1, Kiara, then Harrowhark, then Samantha are up
DaR From Another Place says, "Still. She only did 8. Which means they have less than 50 hp. Which is a decent amount, but not that crazy for level 2 or 3 mobs."
Kiara goes for a tumble at Vendrik! Or, well, Vendrik's opponent.
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+4+2+1+1+1"
Result is: (1d20+4+2+1+1+1) 13 for Kiara
FLOP
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+5+1"
Result is: (1d20+5+1) 17 for Kiara
Kiara escapes!
Harrow, then Samantha, then Niamh!
Harrowhark Invigorates Vendrik and heals Luke.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 2d10+7"
Result is: (2d10+7) 17 for Manny Mo'Jac
Manny Mo'Jac exclaims, "OOC Samantha, then Niamh, then Luke!"
Samantha targets the same target again with the same attack
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+3+2+3"
Result is: (1d20+3+2+3) 14 for Samantha
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+5"
Result is: (1d20+5) 21 for Samantha
No luck for you, but you escape!
Niamh, then Luke, then foes!
Niamh points her wand at the most damaged golem and invokes Catastrophic Spell-Glacier of the Titanic Leviathan.
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+2+1+1"
Result is: (1d20+4+2+1+1) 15 for Mike
Mike says, "roll 3d6+1"
Result is: (3d6+1) 9 for Mike
What was once a titanic glaciar falls and... shrinks as the wonder engine eats half its power. It does do some damage, though.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Magical attacks with a natural roll of 15 or less do half damage here."
Luke pounds on his foe, calling on his EVIL SMITE
Tobias asks, "Delightful. By 'natural', do you mean 15 on the dice?"
Voice of John Biles says, "Yes"
Voice of John Biles says, "Before bonuses or penalties"
Akio says, "Kee-rist."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d20+11 2d8+1d12+7"
Result is: (1d20+11) 24 (2d8+1d12+7) 19 for Manny Mo'Jac
Niamh frowns and comments, "I am afraid I will be of limited use here."
Luke's foe is now staggered. "Eat that, rock-boy!"
Harrow, Vendrik, Luke, each get the gift of two punches.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+8x6"
Result is: (d20+8) 17 (d20+8) 14 (d20+8) 9 (d20+8) 22 (d20+8) 14 (d20+8) 12 for Manny Mo'Jac
Akio says, "Most of those missed."
Harrowhark takes 8, drops to 14. Vendrik takes 12, drops to 18. Luke takes 8, drops to 27.
Akio asks, "... do these fuckers target PD?"
Voice of John Biles says, "No, they do 4 damage on a miss"
Vendrik!
Akio says, "Jesus christ."
Vendrik continues to chop at his golem, flexibly d20+10 2d10+1d4+5, and again inspires the two rogues.
Result is: (2d10+1d4+5) 20 (d20+10) 27
Akio says, "I can't heal through this."
Akio says, "Dan, I would... too late."
Vendrik orders Harrow to Pull it Together.
DaR From Another Place says, "Recovery with +1d4."
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d8+1d4+3"
Result is: (1d8+1d4+3) 5 for Harrowhark
Akio says, "..."
Akio says, "Wowwwwwwwww."
DaR From Another Place says, ":sad-trombone:"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC You roll 2d8, Harrow"
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d8"
Result is: (1d8) 7 for Harrowhark
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC 1d8 per level, so roll another 1d8"
Akio says, "That's better."
Frito says, "Better, anyway."
Vendrik's foe shatters into small rocks; one unhurt one on Harrow, one badly hurt one on Luke remains
Voice of John Biles says, "Recovery levels like weapon damage"
Round 3 - Escalation die +2 and we start with Kiara, then Harrow, then Samantha!
Kiara tap-dances... well, takes a brilliant acrobatic flip at the badly hurt golem!
DaR From Another Place says, "Rogues, remember your +1."
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+4+2+2+1+1"
Result is: (1d20+4+2+2+1+1) 25 for Kiara
HIT
Kiara says, "roll 2d8+1d6+1"
Result is: (2d8+1d6+1) 15 for Kiara
The golem wobbles on the very EDGE of collapse. Roll to disengage
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+5+1"
Result is: (1d20+5+1) 8 for Kiara
Kiara DOES NOT ESCAPE
Harrowhark, then Samantha, then Niamh!
Harrowhark invigorates Samantha this time (Rod, you will have an extra +2) and heals Vendrik.
Samantha tries it all over a third time
Vendrik says, "d10x3"
Result is: (d10) 4 (d10) 10 (d10) 5 for Vendrik
Sniper Ox says, "oh. he had to roll"
Sniper Ox says, "my bad"
Vendrik OOCly says, "Take 10 and 5 for 20 total (10+5+3+2)"
DaR From Another Place says, "Which should put me back up to 38."
Voice of John Biles says, "Yes.,"
DaR From Another Place says, "And Strong Recovery makes its first appearance. :)"
Manny Mo'Jac exclaims, "OOC Samantha! Don't forget the +2 from Harrow and +1 from Vendrik!"
Frito says, "Now I imagine Vendrik shouting 'STRONK!', pounding his chest once, and knocking himself out. ^^;;"
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+3+2+3+2+1"
Result is: (1d20+3+2+3+2+1) 26 for Samantha
Hit!
Samantha says, "roll 2d8+4"
Result is: (2d8+4) 11 for Samantha
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+5"
Result is: (1d20+5) 21 for Samantha
Frito says, "Don't forget your sneak attack dmage."
Two of three golems are dead; only the one on Harrow remains as Niamh steps up, followed by Luke
Akio says, "Now THAT'S rogue damage."
Niamh irritatedly levels her wand and tries to nail the final golem with the Westward Death Painting of Colormage Lathomattias the Artist in the hopes it does at least SOME damage.
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+2+2+1"
Result is: (1d20+4+2+2+1) 27 for Mike
Mike says, "roll 2d8+1"
Result is: (2d8+1) 9 for Mike
Tobias says, "And that was over a nat 15"
Good news - it does full damage. Bad news - Golems ignore all special effects, so it just takes damage.
DaR From Another Place says, "Poor Niamh. This fight is basically her worst nightmare."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 2d8+9 1d20+9"
Result is: (2d8+9) 20 (1d20+9) 14 for Manny Mo'Jac
Luke misses.
The remaining Golem Beats on Harrow
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+8x2"
Result is: (d20+8) 18 (d20+8) 26 for Manny Mo'Jac
Harrow is slugged for 12 damage, dropping to 14 HP
Vendrik! Bring it home! Nan desu ka? (Type 'Help' for help)
DaR From Another Place asks, "How are health pools?"
Akio says, "Luke and I aren't great."
Voice of John Biles says, "Harrow is at 14 and Luke is at 27"
Vendrik barrels into the Golem, trying to drive it off Harrow, or at least distract it. d20+9 2d10+1d4+5. He uses his final Stand Firm of the fight on Luke and Harrow.
Result is: (2d10+1d4+5) 22 (d20+9) 22
The Golem is now staggered. Roll Int + a miliary background, DC 15 to get it off Harrow
Vendrik says, "roll d20+7"
Result is: (d20+7) 22 for Vendrik
Vendrik pushes it back to where only he is engaged with it.
New round! Escalation Die 3. Kiara, then Harrow, then Samantha
DaR From Another Place says, "Harrow and Luke both have recovery rolls coming."
Harrowhark says, "roll 2d8+1d4+3"
Result is: (2d8+1d4+3) 11 for Harrowhark
Kiara tumbles again at the last golem.
DaR From Another Place says, "John, Luke still has a Recovery roll."
DaR From Another Place says, "And if you didn't see it, Harrow recovered 11 hp."
Sniper Ox says, "oh. i've been forgetting to add the escalation dice"
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+4+2+3+1"
Result is: (1d20+4+2+3+1) 26 for Kiara
Kiara says, "roll 2d8+1d6+1"
Result is: (2d8+1d6+1) 16 for Kiara
DaR From Another Place says, "Again for John, Harrow recovered 11 hp, Luke has a recovery coming from Stand firm, Kiara hit a tumbling strike on a 26 for 16 damage."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 2d10+3"
Result is: (2d10+3) 11 for Manny Mo'Jac
The last foe DIED
Frito says, "And it was great to see. :)"
The room hangs out, radiating power.
Niamh says, "That was irritating." She carefully examines the construct before her.
It's huge and complicated, high level stuff; safely extracting the Wondercore won't be easy.
Niamh sits down to study it. "Sam, Kiara, see if you can find any papers or tomes lying about that might help."
Samantha says, "right"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC I will note people have Icon benefits which could help - Samantha has Prince of Shadows 5, Niamh has Elf Queen 6, Kiara has Druid 6, and Harrow has Lich King-Hostile 5 and Priestess 5"
Vendrik ensures the golems are not getting back up, then checks the area for other hidden surprises.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Searching the room is Wisdom + a relevant background + level, DC 15"
Samantha says, "OOC i thought i burned that benefit already for this adventure"
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+5"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC You burned that in the tomb."
Result is: (1d20+5) 7 for Samantha
Vendrik says, "d20+3"
Result is: (d20+3) 20 for Vendrik
Sniper Ox says, "oh fuck the dice"
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d20+9"
Result is: (1d20+9) 27 for Harrowhark
Searching the room reveals no manuals or anything like that; such might have been in the library but are likely flooded and ruined now. There are no surprises, but if you remove the Wondercore wrong, there will be lots of out of control magic which will not be fun.
Samantha asks, "OOC so if i burned it already i'm able to use it again?"
Kiara asks, "So, um, lady Druid? Hi, it's me again, and are you looking over my shoulder more these days? Anyway, we're trying to figure out how to disarm this thing safely without blowing a huge crater into the land? I really don't wanna see that, there anything you can help with?"
Samantha says, "OOC i'm not understanding how this works"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC You periodically roll for fresh benefits"
Samantha asks, "OOC so i can roll again now?"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC The last time you rolled, you got the Prince and I don't think you have used it since that roll."
Samantha asks, "OOC oh. did i roll it perfect or with price tag?"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC So you could activate it; he will help you but there will be a cost You got a 5, with price tag"
Harrowhark clears her throat.
Samantha says, "OOC yeaaaaah, if someone else could go first? i've seen how expensive mine can be"
Harrowhark asks, "Niamh, how confident are you in your ability to safely remove the core?"
Manny Mo'Jac asks, "OOC So you're invoking your benefit, Travis?"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Which I think is obvious but I'm just making sure."
Harrowhark says, "We may wish to fully explore the fortress and map out the fastest exit before doing so."
Harrowhark says, "As I would wager this is a load-bearing artifact."
Niamh says, "I am not confident at all at present, but I am still studying the matter."
Kiara says, "OOC Yeah, invoking it."
Kiara staggers a bit, putting her hands to her eyes and swaying dizzily. "...whoaaaaah. OK, got it; thanks."
Kiara says, "Lady Druid came through on that for us; Nimmy, how's this sound to you?" She goes over the shutdown procedure that was just fed directly into her brain.
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+4+2"
Result is: (1d20+4+4+2) 18 for Mike
Niamh says, "I... am not sure. It could work. It could kill us all."
Niamh says, "However, it an Icon gave it to you, it is probably pretty good. Unless the Icon wishes to kill you."
Harrowhark says, "Or."
Harrowhark says, "And I am just putting this out there."
Kiara says, "...let's hope she likes having a cool puppet more than she likes giggling as we get splatted over the landscape." She gives a shaky laugh.
Harrowhark says, "Unless Kiara beseeched an Icon who would have EVERY reason to watch the terrifying industrial magic infrastucture of an earlier age explode, and then collapse in on itself, leaving nothing at all to be salvaged and possible rebuilt."
Luke says, "I don't think the Druid has any reason to kill Kiara."
Niamh says, "That is also a possibility."
Niamh says, "However, as they have favored Kiara in the past, and as we have few other options... I fear we may have to risk it. Have you devised an escape plan?"
Niamh says, "I believe there was a window or similar in the music room, leading to where the crows came in and out from."
Harrowhark says, "Let's go look."
Harrowhark goes, assuming at least some people come along.
The Music room leads to the room with the metal cannister suspended high up, down two hallways which go to places you have not visited, and to the Wondercore room; sunlight wafts in from the two unchecked directions.
Niamh goes, although she casts some simple cantrips to leave alarm-sprites in the corridor leading to the wondercore to scream an alarm if anyone else comes by.
Niamh listens for the sound of birds.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC I note that the Music Room connects tot he Wondercore by an actual doorway and there's no other way into the core."
Mike says, "OOC: Put the sprites in the music room then."
Harrowhark says, "I mislike that cannister."
Harrowhark pauses. "Niamh, can you tell if the core is feeding power to it in any way?"
Harrowhark says, "This stinks... this REEKS... of some sort of containment device."
Northwest, you hear faint murmering voices. Southeast, you hear nothing.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Correction, the voices are Southeast; Northwest is silence"
Kiara asks, "...someone should probably take a look at what those voices are, right?"
Samantha says, "one of us could scout it, sure"
Vendrik gestures at Luke and himself. "Or, guard while extract core, and get out fast while no inviting more trouble."
Kiara gets a very curiosity-killed-the-cat face. "...nyrgh."
Niamh says, "I am inclined to favor getting out quickly."
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+4+2"
Result is: (1d20+4+4+2) 17 for Mike
Niamh says, "Harrow, I cannot tell."
Harrowhark says, "All right."
Harrowhark says, "Let us scout the passages with sunlight coming down them."
Harrowhark says, "In hopes of finding quick egress."
Which way shall ye go?
Niamh says, "I can tell you that whatever it is, it is extremely complex."
Sniper Ox says, "so we can't just backtrack out"
Tobias says, "Merc seems to be saying the place will start collapsing when we take the core."
Voice of John Biles says, "You could backtrack out the way you came in but you did a fair amount of wandering around to get here"
Tobias says, "Meaning we'll wish to leave quickly."
Akio says, "No."
Akio says, "Harrow was SPECULATING that the artifact is load-bearing."
Akio says, "She does not KNOW."
Akio says, "She merely FEARS."
Tobias says, "...ah."
Akio asks, "Be honest; is this an unreasonable fear?"
DaR From Another Place says, ""The universe hates us.". Of course it's load-bearing. :)"
Manny Mo'Jac asks, "OOC Southeast to the voices or northwest to silence?"
Tobias says, "I don't know."
Mike says, "OOC: hold on, please."
Manny Mo'Jac exclaims, "OOC Okay!"
Tobias says, "I just think wandering off and getting mixed up in whatever, while we can actually HEAR what is probably a rival adventuring party within a short distance of the core, is a really bad move."
Tobias says, "REALLY bad move."
Akio says, "Which is why we should probably head towards the voices."
Akio says, "I'm in favor of being cautious when it comes to puling the core."
Sniper Ox says, "send one of us sneaks to scout ahead"
Tobias says, "If we're set on finding another way out, let's stay where we are and have one of the rogues stealth-scout the other way. That's one of the things rogues are FOR."
Tobias nods at Rod.
Akio says, "On the one hand, yes."
DaR From Another Place says, "I am more inclined to grab and go. Because they may not be friendly. And may not even be adventurers, but more monsters."
Akio says, "On the other hand... splitting the party."
Akio says, "I am not firmly wedded to this level of caution and if Mike and Dan both want to just grab and go, I'm down."
Sniper Ox says, "yeah, that's risky but hopefully in stealth we can wander without engaging"
Voice of John Biles says, "If you choose to sneak, the DC will be 15"
Tobias says, "I'm fine with Dan's proposal."
Frito asks, "Does Niamh feel confident in her ability to do the shutdown preocedure, or does she need Kiaara to be there?"
Tobias says, "The latter, but if you need to sleep Travis John can handle that."
Tobias says, "Let's not keep you up."
Sniper Ox says, "agreed"
Frito says, "I admit I'd like to know more about who's coming up on us in case we end up delayed on exit and hav to firght, them, but I can see grab-and-go too."
Frito says, "Anyway, I do need to crash, so John can run Kiara if need be."
Tobias says, "Go to bed, Travis, you've hit misspelling levels. :D"
Frito exclaims, "Right. &&;; Night!"
Voice of John Biles says, "Niamh can do the procedue if you tell her"
Tobias asks, "So grab and go?"
Akio says, "I'm okay with this."
Voice of John Biles exclaims, "Okay!"
Voice of John Biles says, "I think we have consensus, then."
Mike says, "OOC: Alright, backtrack, and Niamh will do the proceedure Kiara relays to her."
Niamh has Luke wrangle the cat and Numo.
Vendrik readies himself at the entrance to the music room, where he can see into the core area and watch out for anyone approaching.
Niamh conducts the procedure and remvoes the wondercore; you can barely feel its power once it comes out and stops emitting power. For a few seconds, nothing happens, then vines erupt throught he floor and begin attacking the machinery; you get the impression Mother nature is going to tear this place apart, though the equipment itself was totally shut down safely and yeah, getting out is probably a good idea.
Do you retrace the way you found this place or do you venture down one of the unexploored areas in hopes of finding a way out there?
Akio says, "I say retrace."
Akio says, "Even though we'll probably need to fight golems."
Okay, you RUN FOR THE EXIT/ENTRANCE
DaR From Another Place says, "I'm fine with that."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d20+8x6"
Result is: (1d20+8) 22 (1d20+8) 12 (1d20+8) 27 (1d20+8) 12 (1d20+8) 17 (1d20+8) 19 for Manny Mo'Jac
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 2d6"
Result is: (2d6) 10 for Manny Mo'Jac
Niamh says as they run, "This is why wizards don't like Green."
Luke, Harrowhark, Niamh, and Vendrik all get hit by falling rubble, bits of metal, or other problems, for 10 Damage (This was a PD attack). This drops Luke to 26, Harrowhark to 15, Niamh to 23 and Vendrik to 28. You sprint out the way you came in as the stars shine high above you; for a moment, you enjoy the cool night breeze, but then you notice the force of GOBLINS which are standing ready to try to rob you! And CUT since it is midnight
Akio says, "Motherfucking goblins."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "Cliffhanger / last battle before you can get a Full Heal-Up"
DaR From Another Place says, "Fortunately, I think we're in pretty good shape. We've got some damage, but plenty of recoveries, and Niamh has plenty of aggression to work out with AOE on nice safe non-resisting goblins."
DaR From Another Place says, "If Vendrik can continue to be moderately effective, we can clear out lots of mooks pretty quick."
Voice of John Biles says, "Heh"
DaR From Another Place asks, "John, a suggestion if I may?"
DaR From Another Place says, "In 13A, PC heros don't "swish", "flop" or even just "miss". Because if nothing else, they're hitting enough to do tick damage, as almost every non-spell attack and even most spells do. At the very least you should acknowledge that. "nick", "tick", "mostly bounces off", "does minimal damage", "only scrapes", etc."
Voice of John Biles exclaims, "Okay!"
Akio says, "I keep forgetting that."
DaR From Another Place says, "Likewise, I, at least, would appreciate similar on enemy attacks, especially when you end up rolling a huge batch. "One solid and one near miss" or "Miss but damage from flaming aura" or whaever. A lot of time I find myself wondering why I took a given amount of damage. Like Merc wondering how he took 8 on two things that seemed to be misses."
Voice of John Biles exclaims, "Okay!"
DaR From Another Place says, "I know it's a lot more effort to type than do verbal detail, so it doesn't have to be lengthy prose, just enough to make it clear what's happening. I can construct my own theatre of mind if I at least know the why. :)"
Voice of John Biles nods
Voice of John Biles says, "I'm generally trying to find ways to keep things flowing during combat"
Voice of John Biles says, "As that's the most complicated thing"
DaR From Another Place says, "Yeah, that's why I was never going to ask you to do full on fiction for each one. Just a word or two difference and an extra word or two to make sure we don't have to then ask questions about the why."