Guardians: Oath Breaker (IC)

[Snowbluff]

Tora and Melanie

Melanie leaves, but Tora is stopped by Bittersweet, who slaps some mints into her hand. "Bittersweet thinks she's a nice girl. One might say, 'get 'em, tiger!'"

Tora is perplexed. "Are you giving me advice? Ugh, you're not my mom!" Tora shakes her head as she leaves.

The group at the Wall

The West Wall is a large, stark structure made primarily of concrete. It was built about a century ago in order to keep out the Black Forest, as well as the monsters that congregate there. Gathered in front of one of the smaller entrance is you, a group of Guardians decked out in your coats and plentiful magical equipment. The guards, in their standard military equipment, look nervous.

Tora catches up to Melanie, and hands her one of the mint. "Compliments of that barista."

"Good, we're all here," Diael says, nodding at his apprentice. Diael uncrosses his arms and faces the guards. "We'll be departing then." The guards say nothing, but shake their heads in agreement.

You all shuffle through the door, through the entrance tunnel with the single bare bulb for light, and through the exit door. The difference between the Forest and the city is like day and night. The trees are so thick and plentiful, they blot out the sun. The air is cold, and the wind howls unnaturally.

[LoyalPaladin]

Elspeth Winslow

Winslow carefully observes everything on her way, her constructs flanking her on her sides. When they get to the building, she hands the nervous guards each a sucker. "Don't worry, gentlemen. The robotic reinforcements have arrived." She signals her constructs, causing Paladin and Ranger to veer off. "Keep these guards safe, units."

Once inside the forest, pulls Whizzer out and lets him take flight about five feet above their heads. Well, this is pleasent. Grundi, dear, can you direct us? She says this telepathically, allowing Whizzer to relay between the party. Time to go audio silent, team!

[NeoPhoenix0]

Melanie

"Thank you." Melanie replies cheerily to Tora, taking the mint.

Along the way Melanie Talks with Luna and catches up on what they are supposed to be doing. Also feeding her a carrot to tide her over for another meal. Noting that the forest block out the sun Melanie casts a few buffs, and she and Luna hide in the shade. Luna and I will be hiding in case of a fight.​

Spoiler: Spells/Rolls

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Caul of shadows self (+2 deflection bonus to ac for 8 min.)
Caul of shadows Luna (via share spells, separate casting so it works if Luna goes more than 5 ft away.)

Melanie hide(1d20+24)[27]
Melanie move silently (1d20+22)[41]
Luna hide (1d20+26)[38] +4 if there is heavy undergrowth
Luna move silently (1d20+24)[29]

[BilltheCynic]

Grundi cringes when Winslow's thoughts are projected into his head. Telepathy is undeniably useful, but he still doesn't like the feel. He shivers but sends back, "Why ask me? Know the direction, but so does Diael. Follow him?" Still, Grundi checks his own memory to make sure Diael is actually leading them in the correct direction.

He takes Winslow's lead and pulls Crys out of his haversack, letting the crystal float just above them and keep watch. The crystal sends everyone in the group a mental grumble. "Oh, zo zis eez all ai am to you? A maire watchman? Féh! A 'awk could do zis job. Mon tailents are wasted on le likes of you!"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Grundi and the crystal keep watch.
Grundi spot: (1d20+4)[17]
Grundi listen: (1d20+4)[12]

Crys spot: (1d20+6)[15]
Crys listen: (1d20+6)[8]

[Snowbluff]

The Team is in the Black Forest

Luna and Melanie disappear into the brush. The heavy, overgrown foliage provide natural cover for Melanie's rabbit familiar.

Now, Grundi and Crys can't see anything. Any number of horrible monsters could be hiding in these woods, behind the branches and leaves, and no one would be the wiser.

Diael seems unconcerned. In fact, he stands straighter. While alert, he genuinely is more comfortable and confidence now he's in danger. He gestures for the team to follow. The hike is uneventful, save for several roars and growls. Each time, Diael stops the team for a moment, hanging onto the tension and quietly waiting for the danger to pass.

Eventually, the team arrives at a gate and a chain link fence. The growth gives way, ever so slightly, to reveal the concrete and asphalt below. This was a part of the city a century ago.

"Here we are, Aspenheim Research." Diael slides open the gate. It creeks and catches on the vines several times, only for Diael to pull it more forcefully. The facility past the fence is less destroy than the rest of the abandoned cityscape. The sturdy, reinforced laboratories than the standard residence. The underground rooms would be insulated from the aggressive greenery above, making them ripe for looting. "Alright, building A is first. There should be something in there that can give a more clear picture of what we are looking for. If we're lucky, we'll find a file that hasn't been shredded, or a hard drive that hasn't aged beyond use or wiped."

[LoyalPaladin]

Elspeth Winslow

Winslow motions her constructs to flank her sides until they reach a door that is unopenable by means other than force, in which case Barbarian will pry it open. "Let's go then, no time to dawdle." Winslow commands as she presses forward, companions at her side.

Spoiler: OoC

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Couple readied actions and a couple "just in case" rolls.

In case we do come into contact with a computer of sorts, or possible even a few, Winslow will do some snooping for data.

Knowledge (Engineering)
(1d20+18)[22]
(1d20+18)[29]
(1d20+18)[36]

In case we do hit a door that can't be opened by other means, Barbarian will remove the door(s).

Strength Check
(1d20+7)[19]
(1d20+7)[20]
(1d20+7)[9]

If we are attacked by hostiles, Wizard will cast Nerveskitter as an immediate action. If it gets too dark, he'll cast Candlelight.

[LairdMaon]

Fender takes the rear, comfortable that he can handle anything that might try to bite him.

[Snowbluff]

The Team is in Aspenheim Research Labs.


Diael directs the team to Building A. The sliding door is stuck, and without electricity, so Winslow is kind enough to have BARB heave it open. Inside, the building is dusty, and the air is stale. A few papers lie on the ground, and ahead is a receptionist's desk with a computer, and to either side of that is a door. It's incredibly still, and has been for decades.

The team shuffles in, the floor creaking beneath them. Fender is the last one in, and he cautiously turns around.

Suddenly, a large, spider-like creature appears out of thin air, inches from his face. Its blue and white chitinous body dwarfs every member of the party, save for maybe Fender. The mandibles open in a silent scream as it rears up on its hind four legs, the front four spreading into the air in an intimidating fashion, and it swoops down on Fender, biting him.

Spoiler: Attack on Fender

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Bite versus flat footed.
(1d20+7)[25]
(1d6+4)[10] Damage and poison
Poison: Injury, Fortitude DC 17, initial and secondary (one minute later) damage 1d8 Con.

Spoiler: Roll Initiative

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(1d20+7)[10]

The spider disappears as quickly as it appeared. However, behind where it once stood, two more spiders appear to be moving into position, and disappear as well.

[NeoPhoenix0]

Melanie casts glitterdust in the area the spiders disappeared, and tries to hide again while moving over a little.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

glitterdust: 10 ft radius spread, -40 hide, invisible creatures outlined, will save DC 19 or be blinded. Duration 6 rounds.
hide (1d20+24)[42]
move silently (1d20+22)[35]

[LoyalPaladin]

Elspeth Winslow

Winslow moves close to Barbarian and readies her attack, while Wizard springs into action!

Spoiler: Battle Actions

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Winslow
She will ready her ranged touch attack to spray any enemy (or Tora, if she looks threatening) with her vinegar and water mixture!

Attack One (Vinegar Water Spraybottle)
Attack
(1d20+6)[11]
Damage
(1d3)[3] (Unfortunate Smell)

Attack Two (Vinegar Water Spraybottle)
Attack
(1d20+2)[17]
Damage
(1d3)[2] (Unfortunate Smell)

Barbarian
Barbarian will 5-foot step next to Winslow and hold his attack action(s) until the enemy gets too close to her.

Attack One (Large Greataxe)
Attack
(1d20+14)[33]
Damage
(3d6+10)[19] (Slashing)

Critical Confirm (-/x3)
Attack
(1d20+14)[34]
Damage
(3d6+10)[21] (Slashing)

Attack Two (Large Greataxe)
Attack
(1d20+9)[24]
Damage
(3d6+10)[17] (Slashing)

Critical Confirm (-/x3)
Attack
(1d20+9)[23]
Damage
(3d6+10)[21] (Slashing)

Wizard
Wizard will attempt to hit one of the spiders with an Orb of Fire, Lesser!

Use Magic Device
(1d20+17)[23] (Success if over 20.)

Attack One (Large Greataxe)
Touch Attack
(1d20+6)[23]
Damage
(1d8)[1] (Fire)

Critical Confirm (-/x2)
Touch Attack
(1d20+6)[23]
Damage
(1d8)[3] (Fire)

[BilltheCynic]

Stray rays of light seem to bend and coalesce in Grundi's hand in the shape of a violet gem of pure force. He whirls on the spiders that attacked Fender and hurls the psionic grenade at them.

Spoiler: OOC

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Manifesting Amethyst Gem with 8 pp. Hurling it to catch as many spiders in the 20 ft radius blast as possible Spiders 2 and 3. All creatures in the area take (6d6)[23] force damage (DC 20 reflex save halves).

Current PP: 44/52

[Sjlver]

Tassy performs a short kata and at the end of it, a blue, shimmering aura erupts to surround her body.

Spoiler: Action

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Tassy uses Inertial armor. She spends a total of 7 points (6+1) and has 39 remaining. Total AC bonus of +7.

[Snowbluff]

The Party is in Building A of Aspenheim Research

Melanie sprays magic dust, but the physical substance created by the spell flies out only to merely float to the ground.

Spider 1 pops up among the party, biting at Winslow! Winslow sprays it at vinegar, which merely offends it. Do you think this is some kind of simple animal?
It takes a hit from Barbarianbot (19 damage) and Wizardbot (3 damage) , takes its bite, and disappears.

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+7)[15]
(1d6+4)[7] and poison Fortitude DC 17, initial and secondary damage 1d8 Con

Spiders 2 and 3 appears in front of Fender. They look at him curiously, then snap at him anyway. They disappear as well.

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+7)[8]
(1d6+4)[5] and poison Fortitude DC 17, initial and secondary damage 1d8 Con

(1d20+7)[22]
(1d6+4)[10] and poison Fortitude DC 17, initial and secondary damage 1d8 Con

Top of the Order!

Grundi, you can can choose to keep those rolls, and attack which area you want.

[NeoPhoenix0]

Melanie readies a Daze Monster spell, targeting the first spider to appear.

Spoiler

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Daze Monster DC 18 or be unable to act for 1 round, if 6 or less HD

[LoyalPaladin]

Elspeth Winslow

Winslow coughs up blood. "That was unfortunate."

Spoiler: Battle Actions

Show

Winslow
She will ready her ranged touch attack to spray any enemy (or Tora, if she looks threatening) with her vinegar and water mixture!

Attack One (Vinegar Water Spraybottle)
Attack
(1d20+6)[24]
Damage
(1d3)[1] (Unfortunate Smell)

Attack Two (Vinegar Water Spraybottle)
Attack
(1d20+2)[14]
Damage
(1d3)[2] (Unfortunate Smell)

Barbarian
Holding his attack action(s) until the enemy gets too close to her.

Attack One (Large Greataxe)
Attack
(1d20+14)[33]
Damage
(3d6+10)[16] (Slashing)

Critical Confirm (-/x3)
Attack
(1d20+14)[22]
Damage
(3d6+10)[20] (Slashing)

Attack Two (Large Greataxe)
Attack
(1d20+9)[14]
Damage
(3d6+10)[22] (Slashing)

Critical Confirm (-/x3)
Attack
(1d20+9)[23]
Damage
(3d6+10)[16] (Slashing)

Wizard
Wizard will cure light wounds on Elspeth!

Use Magic Device
(1d20+17)[34] (Success if over 20.)

Cure Light Wounds
[/Roll]1d8+1[/Roll]

[LairdMaon]

Spoiler: Fort save

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(1d20+8)[18] vs dc 17

"A waiting game. Ugh! I hate these!", he say as he feels the spider's venom trying to take hold within him.

Fender lifts his greathammer above his head and waits for the next spider to appear.

Spoiler: Held attack

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To Hit (1d20+14)[26]
To Hurt (3D6+12)[23]

[Snowbluff]

The Party is in Building A of Aspenheim Research

Grundi's power shatters the air in front of Fender. Soon after, the spiders reappear, noticeably injured from the destructive psychic energy. The team snaps into action. One spider is pummeled immediately by Fender and Tassy in a whirlwind of hammer blows and fists. The second is dazed by Melanie's subtle incantations before it can do anything. Paralyzed, it's easy pickings for Tora, who dispatches it with two quick shots from her handgun. The last one appears next to Winslow, but her golems dutifully cover her, shoving it away in tandem.

This gives Diael time to cast a spell. The air hums with energy, and he lets out an unearthly, screeching vocalization. A quick but sudden gesture, culminating with him pointing his middle and pointer finger at the spider, unleashes the spell. Like jet lightning, the barely contained ray crackles and strikes the remaining spider. Light ceases to be and the energy holding it the spider's molecules together is annihilated. For the briefest moment, the spider appears to be blacker than possible. So black that it's painful to the eyes. In the next instant, it ceases to be, a spider shape cloud of thick dust in its place, which soon dissipates.

"Tora, give Winslow your antivenom," Diael says, quickly gesturing to Winslow.

Tora nods. "Yes, right away." Tora steps up to Winslow, handing her a vial. "Drink up, it should help deal with the poison," she says, placing a hand on Winslow's shoulder in a comforting manner. She looks up at Diael. "Diael, she looks like ****. I think she'll need to see Luka when we get back." She looks back at Winslow, eying her carefully. "Are you okay for now?"

"Hopefully you'll be well enough to assist with the computers," Diael says, hopping over the receptionist desk and attempting to reboot the computer there. "Damn, the BUPS is dead. Should have expected. Still, with Winslow's expertise, we should be able to salvage the hard drives, or at least the ones that haven't been wiped, corrupted with age, or destroyed."

[NeoPhoenix0]

Melanie

"would making an illusory wall attract the creatures here? If not i can hide us while we work on the computers. I won't be much help working on them anyway. If it gets serious enough i can also sneak people back to the city with invisibility, though it doesn't seem like a good idea to split up if possible." Melanie offers, while getting ready to cast a silent image.

[LoyalPaladin]

Elspeth Winslow

"Thank you, I will be fine." She says to Tora with sincerity, as she wipes a small bit of anti-toxin off her lips. "Age, damage, and corruption are only a roadblock for an inexperienced creator." She says indignantly to Diael as she has Barbarian assist her to the computer. "Even a clean wipe can sometimes be recovered." She starts salvaging everything she can, even popping out a few full devices she believes could be helpful to the investigation, handing them to Barbarian to carry. "If this were Winslow tech, this place would have never been taken by the elements." She grumbles, taking a few more pieces of tech that she doesn't need but she definitely wants.

[Snowbluff]

The Party is in Building A of Aspenheim Research

"Good to hear," Tora says as she pats Winslow on the shoulder. She steps up to Melanie. "Diael, about the illusion," she calls over her shoulder.

Diael responds. "It should be fine. We're a christmas tree, as Sissy would say, anyway. One illusion shouldn't be noticeable over that or the mess we just made." Diael steps away from the computer. "I was just considering it. Honestly, I am not good with computers. Most of mine," Diael mimes a fire with his fingers, "and the one I have now had to get its aluminium hull replaced with an anodized adamantine one to protect it from my magic."

While Melanie's illusion hides the team, Winslow is able to salvage several data drives from the receptionist computer, as well as several from the offices as well. "Excellent," Diael says. "I believe we are finished here, if there are no objections. With the data on these drives, we might be able to identify key projects that are worth recovering from the other buildings. We should think about carrying a permanent petrol generator in next time, in order to feed power to the facilities. We'll have to bring something ti cover it from the beasts as well..."

[NeoPhoenix0]

Melanie

"I certainly have no objections. I need to go get an item from a store," Mealnie explains, then looking over at Winslow adds. "Winslow, do you need extra medical attention? I can probably help get you there while i go shopping."

[Sjlver]

Tassy Rivers

Using her internal focus, Tassy emits and small shockwave from her body, clearing off the blood. "Spiders need to stay small and such. They're so cute when small. They wear little water droplets as hats when small. These spiders just turned out to be a huge pain."

She strides over to Winslow, grabs her hands and looks her in the eyes. "Are you sure you're okay?"

[BilltheCynic]

Grundi leans over one of the dead spiders and examines it closely. "Hmm. Curious; say magic items make us like "Christmas tree," easy for monsters to detect. Monsters very broad groups, lots of variance in members. How all them detect our magic? If method of detection identified, discovering how to conceal much easier. Probably best to not to do field studies on it now though; no objections to returning."

[LoyalPaladin]

Elspeth Winslow

"I think I'll be alright." She smiles at Tassy. "I'm not cut out for combat. That's why I brought my boys." She pats Barbarian's chassis with a solid ting. "Thanks for the concern. I'm definitely going to need Winston to make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich later..." She coughs, a little weak, but held up by Barbarian with care.

[Snowbluff]

The Party is in Building A of Aspenheim Research


"How very astute, Grundi. The magical beasts appear to operate under separate rules of magic. They can often invoke it, but not in the same way humans can. Scholars have studied them in the past, and some believe that they are naturally more attuned ti its power. They've gone as far to say that humans should be able to sniff out magic much better than they do. However, that will have to wait. Winslow seems to be in bad shape. We should get her looked at," Diael says.

"I've already said that I'm taking her to Luka's," Tora says.

Diael frowns. "Alright, so if we're concluding today, I'll just Tele-" Tora punches Diael in the throat as he tries to teleport himself away.

"Diael, you don't have to come if you don't want to, but I'm not letting you snake away from covering us on the way back." Diael coughs as rubs his throat, but gives her a thumbs up. "Alright, we're getting out of here," Tora finishes. She picks up Winslow, despite any protests she may wage.

Thanks to the cover of Melanie's illusions, you are able to return to the city without any incident. Now it's dusk, and the clouds hang heavily in the sky. "I'll be headed back to the mansion. Anyone is welcome to accompany me," Diael says, and he walks back to the mansion.

"Alright," Tora says. "I'll be heading to Luka's. Melanie, if you want to come to his place, we can go to the store afterwards."

[Sjlver]

Tassy

Tassy lets a smile grace her lips. "I'll be sure to keep a better eye on you next time. As you might have noticed, I'm built like a truck... or like a cool muscle car... I'm built like a truckscle car and made for combat. I got you."

[LoyalPaladin]

Elspeth Winslow

Winslow nods at Tora, signaling she's ready to leave and then looks at Tassy. "Don't be silly, Tassy. Truckscle car?" She thinks about the concept. "You'd need to at least have a combustion engine to be a- Oh, that was a metaphor." She nods logically. "You are indeed a 'truckscle car', Tassy."

[NeoPhoenix0]

Melanie

"Of course Tora, we need to make sure Winslow is in top condition. Besides I should know where this luka is if something happens without you or diael around." Melanie replies following Tora. She smiles at the banter between Tassy and Winslow, they seem to be good friends to Melanie.

[BilltheCynic]

Grundi pulls his collar closer around his neck. "Hmph. Might as well return to mansion. Want to study unseen cleaning service more. Curious. Might have interesting information."

[Snowbluff]

The Manor
Grundi!

The manor is dark as quiet. Diael and Grundi step inside. The master Guardian closes the door behind him, which makes a loud, echoing noise as it slams shut. Out of the echoing comes a soft, harmonious sound. A series. Somewhere, quietly in the cavernous void of the mansion, the sound of a piano rings true. Diael stays silent, but he gestures for Grundi to follow him with a glance and a nod. His left hand's fingers twitch, anticipating action.

The pair makes their way through the mansion, tracing the music. It's a sorrowful piece, full of flourish. Eventually, you arrive in one of the rooms in the West Wing. Diael opens the door, and he whispers to himself in surprise. "Ath-" he catches himself and frowns. His eyes narrow.

Sitting at a piano in the middle of the room is a very tall woman. Her hair is long, black, and flowing. Among the hair is a black crown, twisting spines protruding from it. She wears a dark set of heavy armor, senselessly fit to her impressive figure. Where inky plate isn't showing, long cloth of muted purples and greyed blues is. Her eyes open, and her armored fingers release the keys. Her eyes, closed during the performance, open as the last note reverberates in the room. Her eyes are an unnatural blue, which almost glow in the dark of the room.

"Mortimer," she says. Her voice is like silk, but there is an ineffable power behind them.

"Queen Alatreia, I presume," Diael says. His frown is gone, replaced with a polite smile. "I loathe to correct you, your highness, but I go by Diael now."

"I see," she says. She stands. Very little light comes from the window behind her, as the Frontieran sky still is overcast. Despite this, she casts a long shadow over Diael and Grundi.

"Forgive my bluntness, highness," Diael says, "but what brings you to my home?"

"A personal matter," she says, as her eyes slide over Grundi. She squints. "Who is your friend?"

"Grundi, highness. A fellow Guardian." Diael elbows Grundi.

Luka's House
Melanie, Tassy, Winslow

The group arrives quaint house with well kept flower bushes. Tora knocks on the door, which soon opens slightly. A single green eye peeps out, it's owners face hidden by the frame and door. "Oh it's you!" a small, shaky voice says. The door slams shut, and some scampering is heard from inside.

Tora looks back at the team. "Don't worry about that. Lahala is timid." Her voice is tired from a long day of adventure.

The door opens again, this time by the hand of an androgynous man with short strawberry blond hair and golden eyes. "Oh, Tora. What a pleasant surprise," he says. He sees the other party members. "I am Luka," he says, introducing himself. He extends a hand, and gives a toothy, pointy smile.