Of Magic and Machinines: A Faelorian Adventure

[supernerd]

One morning two weeks ago you each received a letter addressed appropriately via the *GPC system that came into effect not two years ago. It read:

Dear [Appropriate PC],

You have been cordially invited to a gathering of the foremost experts in the emerging field of Gramarie. There have been new developments more complex and more extraordinary than any seen before. This new magitech has allowed for new and wonderful inventions both more powerful and more efficient than has ever been achieved. This convention of the top minds will showcase these newest magitechs to unveil their unique properties, functions that were once but an idea, now a firm reality. We wish to have you join us for this joyful event hallmarking our greatest advancement. You may bring one companion of your choice as well. Dinner will be provided. Please present this invitation for admission to the **Atriol Central Tower. All will conspire on the tenth floor.

Sincerely,
The Eight Tinkers

PS. You and your companion will be seated at table 2K.

It is now the day of the convention of sorts and you are riding your way up an ascendiary platform to the tenth floor of the Atriol Central Tower with your companion and six(five) people (and one dog) foreign to you.

*Gramarie-Made Private Courier: it could be made somehow, if rules don't exist, I houserule 1sp per 1500 characters(text page).

**Major landmark, convention center, high class workshop, etc. though prepared for defense unlike the World Trade Center(too soon?)

[Arkhaic]

Jave glances surreptitiously at the other guests on the platform. None of them seemed overtly hostile, but just in case...
Ayondl? Can you do a quick sweep? Jave asks her through the mindlink
Let me see...

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(1d20)[10]

Sheets:

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Jave's Sheet Not yet finished with Ayondl's sheet. Will post soon.

Edit: So what are you guys rolling for your will saves? My cohort just used Read thoughts on you all.

[Nanoblack]

Standing nearest to the biomechanical dog in the corner is a tall, thin man dressed in the formal attire one would expect from someone speaking at this event. Today's color scheme seems to be a deep crimson, complete with a silk shirt, long pants, and fancy shoes. The jacket to complete the ensemble is hooked on an intricate metallic finger engraved with various filigree which runs up into his sleeve, leaving how far the metal goes up to the imagination.

As the elevator ascends, he kneels and checks all of the joints of his hound which the creature responds to as if they had gone through this process a million times over. Once he get back to his feet, he finally notices the similar invitations the others are carrying and introduces himself with a friendly smile. "I assume we're all here for the convention?" A nod is directed toward the healer. "Good to see you again Andrew."

[Morcleon]

On one wall leans two figures. The first, a rather nondescript young human male with brown hair. His attire seems somewhat out of place for such a prestigious convention: a simple, white, collared shirt, unbuttoned, and a pair of long khaki pants that have obviously seen much use. The second, a blue haired female with short, curved horns on her head, has a far fancier look, in an outfit reminiscent of the eastern shrine maidens, a red hakama and white haori.

The human sighs and opens his tired green eyes to glance down at the worn double-faced watch on his wrist. His companion glares at him, eyes flashing red. "That's the fifth time you've checked the time on this ride. It's not that long!"

"But it feels like it took 34 days, 6 hours and 26 minutes, eh Hanyuu?" the human retorts with a grin.

Hanyuu blinks. "That was... oddly specific, Isamu. Are you sure you aren't too tired?"

"Nah... I'll be fine. I'm just a bit annoyed that I couldn't test out my new prototype." Isamu stretches and stands up, turning to the sharp dressed man with a slight bow. "Yes, we're here for the convention. My name is Sonozaki Isamu."

"My name is Furude Hanyuu. And what might yours be?"

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Sonozaki Isamu
Furude Hanyuu

Isamu Will: (1d20+8)[11](19)
Hanyuu Will: (1d20+9)[16](25)

[Arkhaic]

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Read Thoughts DC: 10+2+6 (18)

Jave decides to speak up at this point.
"I suppose we might as well introduce ourselves as well. I go by the name Jave Nightmaker." Jave's assumed features of an elf smile pleasantly.
"My name is Ayondl," The red haired woman standing next to him says. As she turns to face Isamu she gasps slightly, but not terribly noticeably.
In his mind Jave hears it as a scream. What is it?
Never...ever ask me to look in that mind again. He's insane.
And the other one?
I can't really tell. Her mind is too well defended. I don't think I want to check again too see.
What about just checking for hostile intent?
No. Not now.

[Nanoblack]

Interesting personalities were to be expected at these types of gatherings and these folks were no exception. Nevertheless, introductions were in order. "Emil Wick. Nice to meet everyone. This is Isaac." He gives his mechanical companion a pat on the side to emphasize his statement.

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Will:(1d20+9)[11]

[Arkhaic]

Jave eyes Isaac curiously and says with a note of curiosity in his voice, "That's a very interesting...dog there. How did you make him?"
Bluff roll for suggestion:

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(1d20+76)[95] (20 for guidance of the avatar, 15 for divine insight, 30 for glibness, 4 from Greater Heroism). Jave really wants to know what in the world Isaac is.

Are you feeling any better, Ayondl?
Yes, thank you.
Better enough to tell me what Emil is saying?
I am now.
I wonder if I can use Isamu's thoughts as a basis for a mental defense system...
Jave!

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What is Emil thinking as he tells me about his dog? For future reference, attempting to read Jave's mind will earn you ranks in Knowledge: Forbidden Lore. Or some similar effect.

[supernerd]

Glibness only provides the bonus for traditional bluff uses, and since you didn't type your bonuses, only the highest counts. By RAW everything stacks, and only glibness is removed when suggesting, but because of the way you proposed it, nothing stacks. Have a nice day.

If you're going to pull outrageous splatbooking, at least have some finesse to it.

[Nanoblack]

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Sense Motive:(1d20+52)[70]
Will:(1d20+9)[25] (Not sure if I get one vs bluff suggestion)

His smile fades somewhat, though his friendly intent is still visible. "Every Gramarist in Faeloria would like to know that. To summarize: decades of trial and error, cutting edge biolurgical technique, arcane magic, and a bit of something more personal. If you wish to inquire further on the nature of Isaac's existance, you are welcome to attend the panel I will be hosting. Until then, however, I'd prefer to avoid discussing business."

Read thoughts:

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I can't imagine anything going through his head that isn't coming out of his mouth. However, she likely does briefly glimpse an anatomical breakdown of several parts of Isaac as well as a few memories of the creature when he was much younger... and cuter.

[Arkhaic]

He's suspicious, but I don't think he knows.
Good. And the results of your readings?
I was able to catch a few early designs of Isaac, but not much else.
The scouts?

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The scouts in question are a group of swarmlings and infected biollurgical constructs previously sent out to watch for important or possibly hostile attendees, and to help Jave navigate the convention more quickly. I can't think of a reason they would be in combat, .

I don't think they have been spotted.
Good.
Jave chuckles and says "I'll try to attend, but I will be running a discussion involving possible ways to generate energy using a combination of Yggdratecture semi-spaces and fluxes, so I might not have the time. Are any of you specialists in Arcanodynamics or Eldrikinetics?"

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While the forums were down, I was thinking that Jave would be the type of person to collect cursed items. As such, is there any knowledge skill that pertains specifically to curses and cursed items? Also, I've been thinking about what to do with my followers, and I've finallly go it: A Quirky Miniboss Squad! I'm thinking a grappler that uses bags of devouring, improviser (Do you approve the class?) that uses fishing poles (probably steel string or something off the sort) a Hulking Hurler that throws canisters of Dust of Choking and Sneezing and, assuming you approve of course, some sort of spellcaster that can only cast Maize (creates a maze of maize within a certain radius, can either be destroyed or solved with an intelligence check), Power Word: Killjoy, Power Word: Pun, and finally Misspell Magic (3 letters, used as counterspell) Maybe not the wizard, but that would be really fun in a battle. Hmm... a homebrew class or spell that emanates a field causing misspelled magic would be pretty cool. Maybe an anti-magic field variant?

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Glibness only provides the bonus for traditional bluff uses, and since you didn't type your bonuses, only the highest counts. By RAW everything stacks, and only glibness is removed when suggesting, but because of the way you proposed it, nothing stacks. Have a nice day.

If you're going to pull outrageous splatbooking, at least have some finesse to it.

Okay note to self: always type bonuses out explicitly. May I ask why glibness doesn't apply to suggestions? I get why it doesn't apply to, say, feinting or conveying a message, but the suggestion seems to be just the next step up from convincing someone that something is true. And now I just realized that I completely forgot to include my ranks in bluff for the skill check. I'm docking my brain's pay for a week.

[Morcleon]

Isamu lazily raises one hand and nods toward Jave. "I do Arcanodynamics. I don't actually have a station here, but a lot of the stuff in the weaponry displays was designed by me. It's a shame I couldn't get some of the new transformers they're gonna reveal here; those could make for a much more efficient perpetual energy field than what we have now...""

[Arkhaic]

Jave reaches into a small pack that was hidden by his feathered cloak and pulls out a small stick of wood surrounded by a wide variety of kaleidomantic filters. In the center there is a tube of blue filters. Jave holds the tube gingerly, as if it could explode at a moments notice.
"I stumbled upon this while working with gravity fluxes. It took my hand off the first time I fiddled with it. You see, the two semi-spaces there are linked. Whatever is in there just accelerates indefinitely." Jave laughs "It makes quite a bit of a racket too--it deafened one of my assistants. I'm trying to find a way to generate energy from this. It's sort of like Eldrikinetics in reverse."

[Omnicrat]

-Andrew nodded to Emil earlier when he greeted him

While he and his companion step back a bit, Andrew the Healer says, "That is quite fascintaing, but seems fairly dangerous to just carry around like that. What if the wood were to break? I am sure the shrapnel would be quite dangerous. Why not build containers of hot ice* possibly leaving one side open with a gravity-out flux attached. This lets you keep your sonic output, and at the very least only something pushed towards the tool can enter it." In a more jovial manner, while remaining cautious of the man with an incredibly destructive tool, Andrew continued, "My companion is Jessa the Minstrel. While she is not a gramarist, she is very dear to me. There is no one on this plane that I would want with me here more than her. Jessa and Andrew are both middle aged. Jessa has clearly held up physically better than Andrew, but both have a glint in their eye, hinting at a strong will, powerful personality, and surpassing intellect. They are both wearing cloths that could easily be mistaken for simple peasant garb, but close inspection reveals it was finely made. It is very nice to meet you all. Jessa said while smiling. I will be hosting a panel on how simple application of gramarie can be used to improve the daily lives of the peasantry. It is important that the gifts of gramarie are shared with everyone equally; After all, a socioty is only as well as its lowest members. I hope you will all find the time to attend."

*Hot ice is ice that has been gramatically treated to melt at higher temperatures.

[Omnicrat]

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Will Saves

Andrew - (1d20+8)[17]

Jessa - (1d20+7)[26]

What they would be thinking about

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Andrew - Thinking about Jessa, aplications of this new tool to help people, such as a saw using gravity fluxes and suspended still water to control wood shrapnel.

Jessa - Thinking about Andrew, the expense of this conference and ceremony and how that wealth could have been put to better use (food, shelter, potions, and spells for those too poor to afford them but that would benefit from their use).

[Arkhaic]

Jave mulls over Andrew's suggestion for a moment before he nods and says, "That would be a rather prudent precaution. Perhaps if I--" A bottle of what appears to dust of appearance shoots up out a large metal ring on Jave's staff. He attempts to catch it

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(1d20+11)[12] 4 is from greater heroism, 5 from ability mod, 2 base. What would be the DC for this save?

If he catches it:

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Jave pokes his head into the hole and shouts "No dueling with cursed items in the transformer room!"

If he fails the save:

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It was Dust of Sneezing and Choking. Presumably the other characters get reflex saves to catch it as well.

[Omnicrat]

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for expedience, in case he fails, I'm making both a reflex save and a fortitude save. Given the incredibly dangerous nature of the water tool, Andrew and Jessa are both afraid of what the that vial shattering might do.

Andrew's reflex - (1d20+2)[16]

Andrew's fortitude - (1d20+4)[17]


Jessa's reflex - (1d20+5)[10]

Jessa's fortitude - (1d20+1)[21]

[supernerd]

Andrew catches it after seeing that Javelin barely missed.

[Omnicrat]

Andrew makes a spellcraft check to see if he can identify the contents of the glass container

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(1d20+17)[32]
10 ranks, +5 intelegence, +2 synergy knowledge (arcana)
With a possible additional bonus because of what Jave just said.

Regardless of the result, Andrew says What in the name of the people just happened?

[Arkhaic]

Jave shouts, "Don't open that! It's almost certainly Dust of Sneezing and Choking." After leaving a moment for people to react, Jave says, "I'm sorry that happened. I have a rather large collection of cursed items. I keep the lethal ones locked up, of course, but some of my more chaotic followers have taken to dueling with the other ones. They had an entire dance fight just last week, which actually was rather amusing."

[supernerd]

At the completion of his description of the antics of his followers, Jave feels a small rush of divine energy flow through him, filling him with it's power.

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He heals 10 hp, gains a +1 morale bonus to attack, damage, saves, and skills for the next hour that stacks with other morale bonuses, and gains 5 roleplaying XP for his dance battle.

[Nanoblack]

Emil

Emil's brain winces slightly at the mention of a "dance battle". "These... followers... are they students of yours?" He bumps the heel of his hand against Isaacs side twice which responds by popping open to reveal a cavity. Emil reaches inside a retrieves a thick leather tome and begins to flip through it. "Dust of Sneezing and Choking? Where have i heard of that before?"

He takes a seat in the now open side cavity and props one of his legs against the side as he continues to flip pages. "Isn't that just the botched result of someone attempting to craft dust of appearance? I can't imagine there would be any discount mage craft stores that would attempt to market these... unless your followers fancy themselves artificers?... No offence.." He casually reaches further into the cavity, further than what Isaacs body size would physically allow, and comes back with a set of glasses and half of a bottle of his favorite alcoholic beverage. "Anyone?"

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Knowledge Arcana: (1d20+10)[14] (including +5 from one use of my tome)

[Omnicrat]

Andrew says, in a shocked voice, "What type of followers do you have that would curse one another for fun?"

To Emil, Jessa says polity, "We do not imbibe alcohol."

[Arkhaic]

To Emil:
Jave gestures with one hand to accept the drink while speaking. "I pray to the gods every day that Url never, ever decides to learn any form of magic. And as for why I have them? I enjoy putting things that others deem as 'broken' or 'incorrect' to very good use. Dust of sneezing and choking, for example, is a very effective way to take down intruders without maiming anyone. I have a long-standing agreement with several groups that lets me or a representative investigate any failed attempt at crafting an item that seems even remotely functional."
Jave takes a swig of the drink. "Followers is a rather inaccurate term for my organization. They have a rather wide variety of backgrounds and skillsets. Url is a Hulking Hurler, while his half-brother Merig is allegedly a wizard. I still fail to understand how he turned an Acid Arrow into, as he puts it, an Acrid Sparrow."
-----
To Andrew:
Jave gives a slight grimace and says "Well-intentioned, highly irresponsible ones. I keep everything lethal locked up, especially my bags of devouring. I can work with most of my followers to create reasonable rules, but I have to keep these ones on a longer leash lest they leave and cause serious damage that I would be responsible for."

[Omnicrat]

"At least your intentions with regard to working with such items are noble... May I ask any other applications you have come up with for these cursed items?"

[Arkhaic]

"I haven't found too many besides the obvious uses--healing fireball wands and the like. I have yet to test it, but a reversed charm person may have rather interesting results, as would a reversed dispel magic. There are also backbiter spears and similar weapons, which might be prevented from hitting the user with kaleidomantic filters."

[Morcleon]

"I once tried experimenting with cursed items... Got a pair of leeches stuck to my head. Good times, good times." Hanyuu grins, and accepts a drink from Emil. She takes a slow sip.

Likewise, Isamu takes a glass and nods his thanks. Turning to Jave, he raises an eyebrow. "If your followers are playing around with those things, at least make sure you have a way to remove the curse if things go wrong."

[Omnicrat]

"Could this elevator ride take longer, perhaps?"

"It feels like its been days..."

[Arkhaic]

Jave raises an eyebrow at Hanyuu's mention of leeches and replies to Isamu, "That's what the hospital wing is for."
-------
To Andrew:
"I wouldn't put it past them to use the elevator as a chance to check people for explosives and the like. Possibly true seeing as well, and If I were running the event I would have detect thoughts and a zone of truth as well. On the other hand, the fact that the elevator's been going up long enough for you to notice might provide evidence to the contrary. There really isn't any good reason besides showing off to make an elevator if you can connect semi-spaces. I hate trying to discern between stupidity and actual malice."
And that's if they didn't think that I would think of that and didn't recognize that we could detect spells fairly easily. I'll stick with appearing as a second-level player for now.

[Nanoblack]

Emil

"In all fairness, this is a relatively old means of locomotion. Had they any sense, we'd've entered via portal and be at the convention already. That said, this is taking quite a long time, so I think I'll forewarn the staff of our arrival." He sets his glass on the floor of the platform and taps his metallic left hand with his flesh and bone right hand. Through and ellyptical gap in the plates of his left palm emerges a diminutive insectoid creature.

Vaguely resembling a lean, dark green caterpillar, the creature shuffles up to Emil's elbow before stretching to reveal six sets of membranous wings. Taking hold of the invitation with one of it's manipulating forelegs, it nods to the group and takes off to the tenth floor. "See you shortly Zelle." Turning back to the group, Emil takes a moment to explain himself. "That's Zelle."

[supernerd]

DC20 Knowledge Local/DC25 Gather Information/DC30 Knowledge Nobility and Royalty

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The Tinkers who fitted this tower with the first Grammaric inventions are rather nostalgic and keep older forms of transportation for ease and level of security, much easier to construct an ascendiary platform with guards and check-ins than to reprogram selective portals. That and it reminds them of the good old days.

The platform comes to a halt at the tenth floor, and Zelle flies back to hir master, and the security check in comes by. The attendant asks their names, checking the list for confirmations, and asks everyone wo pass through a dispelling screen(it fails to dispel the Alter Self on Ayondyl for plot necessity, as it is rare for a friendly of her race to exist on this continent.) next a bit later, when magic items are functioning, Two shorter, stocky humans with patches of scales runs a catalog of every possession every person owns, teaming for dangerous ones. This seems to be the major build up due to the attendees.