The Secret of Trottelburg IC

[sciencepanda]

"Gah!" shouts Bonesy, "Just what do you think you are doing to my buddies?!"

Once again, he repeats his prior attack on Crugretor, with a large pulsating beam emanating out of the gem in his head.

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+2)[5]
Will Save if it hits.

[MarvinMartian]

OOC

Spoiler

Show

Sounds like thats an attack of opportunity for me right? Assuming so so here goes aoo:
(1d20+4)[11](15)
(1d3+2)[1](3)

Randolf's synapses fire suddenly and an idea pops into his head. Randolf backs away from melee (5 foot step) and throws one of his daggers at Bonsey's gem embedded in the skull in an attempt to dislodge it.

Attack roll

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+7)[9](16)
(1d3+3)[3](6)

[sciencepanda]

Randolf's dagger hits Bonesy square in the head. The skeleton lets out a shriek, and collapses, his body turning to dust. The only solid remnant of him is the gem, now sitting on the cold grey earth.

The remaining skeleton looks on at his fallen comrade, a look of silent shock plainly clear on its face.

Rather then continue in combat, it instead walks over to the gem, and places it firmly into it's own eye socket.

"Hey! Just what did you do to Bonesy?!" It asks.

[MarvinMartian]

Randolf holds up his hands in surrender and says in a loud and clear voice,

Hold my fellows, we did not come here to make war - but to seek help from the wise and powerful Baba Yaga. We brought an offering of fine fresh elven bread. And without Baba Yaga's mighty wisdom the village of Trotteburg is doomed!

Would you please stop your minions from attacking us famous Baba Yaga?

Sense Motive

Spoiler

Show

Randolf believes that he is in fact already speaking to Baba Yaga through the power of the gem. My sense motive roll:
(1d20-2)[19](17)

[sciencepanda]

The skeleton turns to face Randolf.

"Y...You monster! You kill my brothers, and then you expect me to give up, just like that! Just who do you think you are?!"

The gem glows particularly bright at this, and the skeleton bares his claws menacingly.

Spoiler

Show

From this, it can likely be determined that the witch is not speaking directly through the skeletons. They have some sort of sentience of their own.

[MarvinMartian]

We did not come here to cause trouble, and I fear things have progressed poorly. Although we simply reacted to your brother's sudden hostility, we share in the blame. Let us pass and speak with your mistress, perhaps she can restore your...brothers to their...er um... unlife. We do not need to end yours as well.

Spoiler

Show

Seems like a good time for a super diplomacy check.
(1d20+3)[11](14)

[CWater]

Irethírra decides to stand quiet and let Randolf do the talking, since he seems to be better with words.
The bat still sits on her shoulder and is sniffing the air.

[sciencepanda]

Spoiler

Show

I'm going to be using Rich's Diplomacy rules, I hope that is ok with every one.

"No." says the skeleton flatly, "It is too forgone for that. You invade the mistress's property, and you kill my brothers. The only solution I can see here is me ripping your intestines out through your eye sockets. If it is in battle that we meet, it is in battle that you die! Now, come on!"

[CWater]

As the skeleton wishes to continue the battle, Irethírra sees no reason to try to argue with it about it. She takes her ritiik back in her hands and thrusts it towards the remaining undead.

Spoiler

Show

Trying to trip the creature(it may not have flesh, but it does have a rib cage).
Attack: (1d20+1)[19]
Damage: (1d8)[3]

Ref. save agaist tripping: 10+damage
Str check: (1d20)[7]
-You know, when we reach lv.4, I'm so putting that ability point to rise her Strenght...

[sciencepanda]

Irethírra manages to cut out a chunk of the skeleton's rib cage, but her attempts to trip the creature fail, and she is forced to drop her weapon.

Spoiler

Show

Is Parlity back yet? It's just about her turn.

[Parlity]

Blood dribbling down her furred hands outline the large claws extending from the backs of her hands. Meeka drops her spear. "Gnaah" she grunts as she swipes at the skeleton with her closed fists.

Spoiler

Show

swift action: putting 3 points of essentia into totem bound rageclaws
rageclaws primary attack (1d20+7)[12], +4 base +3 enhancement, damage (1d6+6)[12] slashing type
attack (1d20+7)[16], damage (1d6+6)[11]

OOC soulmeld explanation

Spoiler

Show

Meeka has rageclaws bound to her totem chakra. Rageclaws can be used as natural weapons that deal 1d6+Strength modifier damage. She gains a +1 enhancement bonus on attack and damage with each point of essentia invested. She gets the unbound effect of -3 negative hitpoints per essentia before dying and can take regular actions with negative hitpoints.

At level 2 Meeka can shape 3 melds and bind 1 meld to her totem chakra. She has 3 essentia (2 by level, 1 from the feat). She invests 3 essentia into rageclaws. 1 essentia capacity for level 1-5 characters, +1 from the feat to increase essentia capacity for one soulmeld, +1 from the totemist class ability that increases essentia capacity for the soulmeld bound to the totem chakra. 1 soulmeld can be shaped per chakra location.

Her other soulmelds are wormtail belt, +2 natural armor +1/essentia invested, unbound on her waist chakra. Blink shirt, teleport as a standard action 10'+10'/essentia invested, unbound on her heart chakra.

In my earlier description, I said that essentia investment lasts for 1 day, this is only for the feats. It is a swift action to reallocate essentia. Sorry I was confused about it. It's a confusingly explained magic system. If she puts any essentia into the cobalt charge feat, she can't take that out for the day. She can't change which meld has the extra essentia capacity from the feat until she reshapes. So the essentia capacity on wormtail belt and blink shirt is 1.

[sciencepanda]

Meeka's massive flurry of blows hits the remaining skeleton head on.

"My duty...Is fulfilled." mutters the skeleton, before crumbling entirely to dust. It's only remains are the large red gem that it had previously placed in it's head.

With the skeletons out of the way, the path is now clear towards the chicken-legged hut.

Spoiler

Show

Congratulations! You just won another encounter! Crugretor gets 600 XP, everyone else get's 300.

[CWater]

Irethírra walks forward and picks up her dropped weapon. She nods towards the hut's door. "Well, shall we go in."

[Parlity]

Meeka's claws retract. She glances at her hands curiously, then exhales in a huff, blowing out foamy saliva on her chest and the ground. She picks up her spear and walks very close to Irethirra.

[CWater]

Irethirra is slightly taken aback by Meeka's approach. "...Is there something you wish to say to me?" she asks in her usual emotionless tone.

Lucra on the other hand looks at her with an openly curious look. She climbs a little down the elf's shoulder moving closer to the totemist and sniffs her.

[Parlity]

"Oh. No." Meeka shakes her head. "I'm .. I'm right behind you." She holds her spear and faces forward, staring curiously back at Lucra from the corner of an eye.

[MarvinMartian]

Randolf looks down at the pile of dust, bones and the large red gem. He shakes his head wearily. His lips mouth the words "It didn't have to come to this..."

Momentarily Randolf considers picking up the gem - but aborts the attempt half-way. Turning to his fellow companions he says -

"Do you think we should take the gem and return it to Baba Yaga or leave it here for her to find? What is the wisest course do you think?"

Turning to Crugretor, he adds

"Kind sir I understand you have some medical knowledge, would you assist me in tending my wounds?"

[Parlity]

Huffing out foamy saliva onto her chest, Meeka slowly says, "It is only right to tell Baba Yaga what we have done and make amends if we can." Meeka shakes her head, "But I don't know if it is the wisest course."

[CWater]

"I see no reason to take the gem." Irethírra says. "Unless you honestly believe that giving it directly to her would somehow improve her opinion of us, I think we should let it be."

"And, we don't want to give her any reason to think we might wish to steal it." She adds, her gaze staying at Randolf a little longer than the others.

[MarvinMartian]

Randolf ponders the dilemma before them and comes to the conclusion that the reward is not worth the risks involved.

With a small grimace on his face, Randolf turns and strides towards the hut - retrieving his thrown dagger on the way.

OOC to Doombringer

Spoiler

Show

Could you spare a cure light wounds for me plz? I'm down to 3 hp at the moment I only need 5 hp to be back at max.

[sciencepanda]

As you approach the hut, you hear a voice from inside.

"Well, what's taking you so long? Come in."

Spoiler

Show

Everyone roll a will save.

---
01-X

The past day has been far more busy then you are accustomed to, however at the moment it has reached a bit of a lull.

The Bykanov family sits in the corner of the room, huddled over and trying to comfort each other.

On the opposite side, the Professor attends to the infected woman lying on a gurney. The foreign healer, Telim, is currently aiding him, and so there is little left for you to do.

Even Silverstein, your pet nightingale, seems to sense the tension. While it would normally be singing up a frenzy in this cool spring air, it now merely sits in it's cage, occasionally turning towards the window nervously.

One of the most frustrating things in the world is being in a dangerous situation and feeling as if you are unable to help. So, what will you do?

[CWater]

Irethírra has just taken a step towards the door, when she hears the voice speak..

Spoiler

Show

I have a baad feeling about this...
Will: (1d20+2)[11] <<Even worse now...

[Parlity]

Meeka turns to follow Irethirra closely.

Spoiler

Show

will save (1d20)[16]

[MarvinMartian]

Randolf steps bravely to the fore, brushes his clothing self consciously and plasters a friendly smile on his face.

Hello Missus Baba Yaga, sorry to have kept you waiting... "

Then he steps into the hut.

Spoiler

Show

(1d20-2)[7](5) - wow this is not going to end well!

[abadguy]

01-X

Being the ever obedient "son", 01-X tromps up to Professor and inquires in a plaintive voice "Urmm, Father, you know those people seem really nice. Taking the risk of looking for Baba Yaga for the sake of the town. You don't need me around and the domovoi of the house can protect this place better than I ever can. Let me go aid them and I can report my findings firsthand to you."

Spoiler

Show

If a Diplomacy check is needed (gulp)
(1d20-1)[11]

If the professor agrees, 01-X will attempt to locate the domovoi for directions to Baba Yaga's hut.
If the professor disagrees, 01-X will unfortunately remain behind and twiddles his metal-shod thumbs, such is the nature of his "programming".

[sciencepanda]

Everyone except Meeka suddenly feels the voice floating into their heads, and emptying else out inside. The sensation travels out through the rest of your body. You feel almost like your bones are liquid, and have begun to flow irregularly against your control.

Without your input on the matter, your limbs swing forward and lead you inside of the hut.

---
01-X

The professor takes your hand and leads you into a secluded corner of the lab.

"Son," he says, "Ten years ago, I decided to create a lab assistant. That result was you. But as I looked into your eyes, I knew I had created more then that. I had created life."

"Yes son, you are alive. You have a soul. But more then that." The professor begins to choke on his words, "You are my son. And I would give anything in the world rather then see you hurt."

He gestures out the window. "These are dangerous times right now. And I had feared that you would make that choice." He pauses briefly, "And yes, that is the thing, you have a choice! I have been controlling these past ten years, trying to keep you inside, away from danger, or those who might fear you. But you are a living being. And all living beings deserve the right to choose there own path."

"So my son, just answer me this, is it really, truly important to you that you go out to help these people? If that is truly, honestly, the case, I will not stop you. "

[abadguy]

"Yes Father, please let me have the opportunity to do some good in this world." 01-X says with conviction in his voice. "I never asked for much in my life, I hope you can accede to this one request."

[MarvinMartian]

Randolf realising that he is the grip of powerful magic does little to resist. Instead he focuses on his surroundings.

OOC spot:

Spoiler

Show

(1d20-2)[9](7)