Clockwork Isekai Solo Advanture [IC]

[Deadguy]

"Like fish in a barrel." Despite the ease of destroying these, N'gatha is slightly annoyed at being prevented from pursuing herself. The eldritch runes glow around her feet and legs. She targets one of the Shadows just before it disappears from her sight into the outdoors. Their bodies both glow and flicker for a moment, being replaced with the other in turn.

Once she is free from the confines of the cave, N'gatha takes to the air to get a better vantage of where the second Shadow and the goblin archer had gone.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Standard Action - Benign Transposition on Shadow 1
Move Action - Fly into air 40 ft.

[beholderkin]

Taking to the sky as the few four remaining goblins flee the cave in all directions, attempting to flee into the surrounding forest on separate paths, she looks down upon the clearing to see the shadow that made it outside darting across the clearing. As she orients on where the shadow is heading towards, she hears the familiar *twhip* of the goblin's hand crossbow and sees a bolt fly towards the speeding shadow from the cover of the fallen tree trunk that had been used as seating on one side of the cook fire.

Spoiler: OOC

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Hand Crossbow vs Shadow: (1d20+7)[13] for (1d3+1)[3] (Magical) Piercing, if Miss Chance (1d100)[63] result is 51-100.

Shadow is 35' from crossbowman. N'gatha is 70' away from the crossbowman, accounting for current elevation.

[Deadguy]

The Shadow discorporates as the bolt strikes true, having only had a tenuous grasp on its stay in this realm. She could see its anger in being banished when so close to another meal.

N'gatha flew forward until she was almost right above the goblin rogue before sending another blast of arcane energy at him.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Eldritch Blast Ranged Touch - (1d20+6)[17]
- Damage (1d6)[6]

[beholderkin]

Spinning partially at taking the Eldritch Blast, the goblin wielding the hand crossbow spins and darts under a tree branch, loading its hand crossbow with rapid expertise and sending a bolt in her direction. The second shadow exists the cave behind the last fleeing goblin, stopping to assess the scene and locate its contractor.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Crossbow Goblin attacks N'gatha with hand crossbow with (1d20+7)[24] doing (1d3+1)[4] magical piercing if successful.
Crossbow Goblin currently has partial cover (20% miss chance, unless/until you change position) due to tree branches. Moving to either side or lowering altitude will negate partial cover.

Last fleeing goblin has yet to hit the tree line and is still within immediate sight of both the remaining shadow and N'gatha.

[Deadguy]

The bolt appeared to be flying to strike true, but suddenly the woman's form was enveloped by a set of ethereal wings identical to the ones that held her aloft now. With a few beats of the wings, she repositioned to the left as she released another bolt of energy.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Immediate Action as the goblin attacks - Wings of Cover

Eldritch Blast Ranged Touch - (1d20+6)[17]
- Damage (1d6)[3]

[beholderkin]

Snarling at the new damage from yet another blast of eldritch power, the goblin speedily loads another crossbow bolt and fires before turning and darting away, attempting to make it into the trees.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Crossbow Goblin attacks N'gatha with hand crossbow with (1d20+7)[13] doing (1d3+1)[2] magical piercing if successful.

Crossbow Goblin starts fleeing, but has yet to make it to the treeline.

[Deadguy]

N'gatha let out a groan of frustration. Her patience had begun to dwindle in dealing with these bothersome creatures. She tucked her wings and dove down toward the fleeing goblin, her hand once again glowing with the draining blue light that had incapacitated the shaman in the cave.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Movement - Dive to melee
Shivering Touch Touch - (1d20+6)[10]
- Dexterity Damage (3d6)[8]

[beholderkin]

As N'gatha's delicate fingers reach out, crackling with arcane energy, the goblin's eyes widen with trepidation, recognizing the impending danger. It attempts to dodge the touch attack with an awkward, jerking movement. The tips of N'gatha's fingers just miss the goblin's shoulder.

In its frantic attempt to escape, the goblin stumbles to the right, its ill-fitting boots skidding on the blanket of leaves that conceals its impending doom. Unbeknownst to the goblin, the seemingly ordinary floorboard beneath its foot is no ordinary floorboard at all. With an ominous creak, the trapdoor is triggered, and the ground beneath the goblin gives way. A look of realization and horror at its mistake flashes across its features as gravity exerts its hold on the pitiful creature.

A pit, black as the depths of the underworld, opens up like a hungry maw, revealing a bed of cruelly sharpened spikes below. The goblin lets out a shrill cry of terror as it plummets downward, its outstretched hands futilely reaching for salvation, releasing its crossbow to fall to the ground. But there is no escape from this malevolent fate. The impact is swift and merciless. The goblin's pitiful cries are stifled as its wretched body impales upon the unforgiving spikes. Its life is extinguished in a grisly display of cruelty, and the clearing falls into a hushed stillness, bearing witness to the aftermath of this tragic encounter.

Meanwhile, the few surviving goblins, having long since lost all semblance of leadership, had completely fled for their lives, leaving the clearing in desolate silence.

[Deadguy]

"Well... that's done at least."

N'gatha floats on her wings down to the bottom of the pit, hovering above the body to avoid the spikes. She reached down an murmured the same prayer that she had used in her previous encounter with goblins. Once she had collected the 'loot', she flew back up and retrieved the crossbow before heading from body to body outside, performing the retrieval ritual on each body.

She then moved back into the cave and did the same to the bodies that had fallen there. After collecting the belongings of the bodies, she casted a quick spell to help her peruse the meager encampment that made up the room, specifically searching for items that radiated magic.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Loot all bodies.
Cast - Detect Magic
Search - (1d20+5)[18]

[beholderkin]

As N'gatha performs the required ritual, several of the goblins leave behind cores, coinage, as a few random odds and ends. Scooping up the small crossbow left behind from the last goblin, she searches the clearing the goblins used as a campsite as well as inside the goblin's filthy cave, uncovering a cache of supplies, tools, and provisions. Apparently having been used as a makeshift 'throne', she even found a surprisingly good quality anvil.

With her haul secured, she takes a final look at the pile of loot she'd accumulated. Judging by the mundane nature of the collection, the goblins had obviously been successful in overtaking at least one wagon of supplies bound either in or out of the nearby village.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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XP Gained: 579
Loot Found:

• Small Sickly Green Core: This sickly green sphere looks like it would feel wet to the touch, but is completely dry. Waves seem to dance just under the surface when you look at it from your peripheral vision.
• 5 Tiny Mottled Green Cores: A collection of mottled green spheres much like the ones you've seen before from previous 'fodder goblins'.
• Finely-Made Swordcane: An exquisite weapon in disguise, the finely-made swordcane is a testament to masterful craftsmanship. Concealed within a seemingly ordinary but elegant black walking stick lies a gleaming blade, perfect for catching foes unaware with a swift and elegant strike. (This is considered a medium sized rapier that is always considered 'concealed' as if you had 'taken 20' with the Slight of Hand skill)
• Sleek Small Wooden Hand Crossbow: Carved from ancient timber and adorned with intricate patterns, the sleek small wooden hand crossbow is a weapon of precision and stealth. Its compact size allows for agile and silent attacks, perfect for a rogue or an archer of refined taste. It hums with a soft power in your hands.
• Grindstone: A sturdy, practical tool of the adventurer's trade. The grindstone is an indispensable item for honing and sharpening weapons, ensuring each blade remains keen and ready for battle, no matter the peril that lies ahead.
• 14 Handsaws: Each handsaw boasts a weathered wooden handle, and the blades are etched with marks of countless encounters. A testament to perseverance and labor, these tools are perfect for woodcutters and carpenters, and perhaps even for dealing with some more unconventional obstacles.
• 9 Sacks of Apples: A generous bounty of delicious, ripe apples, plucked from bountiful orchards. These sweet and refreshing fruits provide a much-needed respite during weary travels and offer a moment of delight amid the trials of the adventurer's life.
• 3 Shears: Rusty and worn, these humble shears speak of tender moments amid the challenges of the journey. Perfect for a skilled tailor or gardener, they remain a symbol of nurturing care, even amidst the battles of a fantasy realm.
• 15 Wedges of Cheese: A diverse assortment of cheese, each wedge hailing from a different corner of the world. From tangy cheddar to pungent blue, these savory delights offer sustenance and solace, bringing comfort to the adventurer's soul as they delve deeper into the unknown.
• Finely Crafted Anvil: An imposing anvil, solidly constructed with intricate runes etched into its sides. This mighty tool is the heart of the blacksmith's forge, a place where weapons and armor are shaped with skill and dedication. Its presence ignites a sense of creation and craftsmanship, beckoning to skilled artisans and masters of the forge, offering the promise of forging legendary weapons of untold power. This seems to be the anvil that you saw a quest to retrieve in the Guild Hall.
• 39gp, 67sp, 115cp in loose coinage.

[Deadguy]

"It won't do to bring this all back to my suite... the guild house should be able to distribute the goods as required." She morphed back into her elven persona.

As she had everything gathered, she laid her hands on the bushel of items and the runes on her body began to glow. She teleported to just outside the doors of the inn, thinking that placing so much stuff directly into the building would be untidy to say the least.

Once arrived, she entered through the main doors again.

"Hello again. I'm terribly sorry, but I was worried that goblins might way-lay the kind farmer that brought me here on his way back home so I hunted them down. It appears they were also responsible for another attack, I found the anvil that is in the request with a large assortment of goods. It's all outside."

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Teleport SLA used.

[beholderkin]

Sitting up and stuffing a book with a suspiciously obscured cover under the counter as her face turned red, the receptionist stood abruptly, slightly flustered. "Oh...um...wait, what?" Blinking and seeming to slowly process what was just said, the receptionist's face screwed up in thought. "The...uh...anvil? Oh! Blacksmith Garret's anvil! That's...yes, that's wonderful. Outside, you said?" Finally seeming to collect herself, she holds up a finger in a 'just a moment' gesture and goes through a door behind a counter. A moment later, she returns accompanied by a young man who looks incredibly bored and put-out. He nods in passing as he goes outside and starts hauling everything inside...except the anvil. Sighing, he tells the receptionist, "Yeah, that's the one, but I ain't liftin' that. I'll have him come get it." Nodding in passing once again, the youth leaves, presumably for the blacksmith's shop across the way.

Beaming at the news, the receptionist sorts through the other goods and nods. Taking a particularly long time to study the hand crossbow, she gestures at it. "This one is magical - just the most basic low-end enhancement for accuracy and damage, and will fetch a decent price. Shame it's small. The medium ones sell faster, but it'll still sell inside a week, so no worries there. The rest is from a caravan that was sadly lost, so selling it is fair game now that the goblins are cleared out - there is a small bounty for proof of vengeance for that, so not all bad I suppose. If you sell everything, add in the bounties for the cores and the revenge for the caravan, and the completion of Blacksmith's Garrett's request, you're looking at a total of 219pp, 7gp 6sp, and a masterwork piece from Garrett. Since you're leaving with the caravan tomorrow and it'll take at least two weeks for him to finish it, we can have it delivered here to pick up later if you plan on returning, or if you're open to it we can sell that particular reward to another member for an additional 16pp. We have a few requests for a couple different masterwork pieces if they're sold to us, so it would go to whoever's first on that list. What's your preference?"

As she speaks, she retrieve's the blacksmith's quest from the board and motions N'gatha over to the orb and gestures at the card slot. "Place your card inside and we'll clear out this request for you so I can release the funds and provide proof of completion to Blacksmith Garrett."

[Deadguy]

"All of that sounds just fine. I'll be back after the caravan is complete, so I'll retrieve the crafted item then." N'gatha reached in her pouch and produced the cores that she had looted. "Here's the proof of revenge."

She recollected how much trouble a band of goblins had actually been. While she was never in real danger, she was also barely a threat. If it hadn't been for her bound minions, she'd probably still be there slogging through the fight.

It hadn't been that hard when she was a dwarven artificer. Seeing enough fantasy tropes, N'gatha inherently understood that magic users were slow going in the beginning but wielded vast power later... Still, did she want to wait so long to be powerful? That didn't seem like the isekai way. Maybe her inner desires weren't as clear as she hoped during her chance to alter herself in this world.

Doubts flooded her head as options missed and misplaced raced through her head. She shook them away and produced the card from her chest, handing it to the receptionist.

[beholderkin]

N'gatha reached out and touched the crystal with her slender fingers and felt her mind instantly pulled from body. A sense of wrongness sounded the mental equivalent of an alarm klaxon in her consciousness before forming into information that unspooled itself as a...warning? [Warning! Current configuration unstable. New, more s table configuration required.]

In an instant, her surroundings faded away, replaced by a realm of pulsating energy. Before her, a now-familiar spectral screen materialized, offering a myriad of options to reshape her new avatar. It was the same screen that odd spirit and the interaction with the orb when getting her guild card had shown her before. The choices the system offered were just as extensive as before, allowing her to customize her appearance, from race and abilities, to the color of her skin and the shape of her feature. The option for equipment was there as well, but only included the original equipment she started with, and did not account for any of the money or items she'd picked up since the original avatar creation screen.

The screen seemed to understand her desires, providing intuitive suggestions and adjustments as she made her choices. It was as if the system assisting her in his new life in the fantasy world responded to her very thoughts, molding itself to match her vision.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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We'll pause the games here to buildcraft until your character is ready. :)

[Deadguy]

There was a sense of longing for the simplicity of strength in what she had experienced before. Beneath that, there was also a desire to keep the powers she had been calling upon in this iteration of her being. Undeath, magic, machine... they were all swirling inside a torrent of imagination.

Slowly, pieces began to place themselves. An intimidating metal and bone casing enclosed baleful internal fire. The face is gone, only bone etched with sickly green runes remains. Eldritch glowing orbs of the same color have replaced the eyes. An assortment of grinding and moaning gears allow smooth and fluid movement of extremities. Towering over the average man, the bulk of the integrated armor adds much more weight. Stacks jut up from behind the shoulders, billowing smoke. That combined with the tang of sulfur and sickeningly sweet carrion water the eyes and sting the nose. Hissing of pistons and the grinding of gears announces his arrival. Heavy footfalls are enough to shake floor structures. The voice is a rasping mechanical modulation.

Skarre

[beholderkin]

Going through the avatar creation process once again was nearly second nature now, and soon, the new avatar stood before the receptionist...who didn't react at all to the new appearance. Simply nodding at the successful update to the records, the receptionist makes a note in a ledger and gestures at the guild card for Skarre to take it once more. Doing so, the changes from this latest round of avatar creation are seen reflected on it.

===============================
Name: Skarre
Alias: The Iron Lich
Adventurer Rank: ✯✯ (F)
Race: Modified Warforged
Height: 6'
Weight: 240lbs
Eyes: Green
Hair: N/A
Sex: N/A (Masculine)

✯: Escort the Caravan Safely (Captain Roland)
✯✯: Defeat the Bandit Leader (Baroness Adelina)
===============================

As Skarre finishes his review of his new guild card, the receptionist plops down a coin pouch with the coinage he had earned. "What masterwork piece would you like us to request of Blacksmith Garrett? When it is finished, we'll hold it here for you."

Spoiler: Mechanics

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+219pp, 7gp 6sp
Masterwork Piece of your choice delivered to this guild chapter in approximately 2 weeks. Must be a weapon or armor that is primarily made of metal (steel).

[Deadguy]

“A gauntlet… yes, a gauntlet will work nicely.” The graveled voice echoed through the void of the chest cavity, giving it a haunting tone.

[beholderkin]

Smiling, the receptionist nods. "Standard or spiked?" Taking out a slip of paper and a quill, she begins jotting down the order.

[Deadguy]

“Ah spiked, please.” If that seemed to be all she needed from him, he picked up the gold and headed out to the hotel.

[beholderkin]

Jotting down your preference, the receptionist bids you a good evening as you leave the Guild. As you make your way back into the Stonehollow Inn, Inkeeper Soren's nervous figure greets you meekly from the front desk. His eyes dart to the window and the slowly sinking sun, obviously worried about the rumored haunting that has caused a distinct lack of any other customers.

Obviously steeling himself, the man forces himself to smile and asks if there is anything he can help you with.

[Deadguy]

Skarre seemed to not notice or not care about how the man was feeling. He simply shook his head and made his way up the stairs, retrieving his key as he did. Once he had gotten into the suite, he locked the door behind him.

With a sigh, he sat at the comfortable chair and started his meditation that would be required to recover his magical abilities.

[beholderkin]

Drifting out of a dark corner, the Shadow that had been left behind waves a wispy arm to get its master's attention before gesturing at the ceiling. Beckoning, it positions its indistinct head against the ceiling in a mime of a listening motion and makes large arm motions to point at it as if to emphasize its point.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Whether or not you find a way to put an ear to the ceiling (9' high from the floor), make a Listen check.

[Deadguy]

Skarre stood again and keened an ear to possible sounds. It was difficult to pick up small noises around him normally, the swirling haunting calls of spirits filled his ears almost continuously.

In order to better separate his hearing from the spirits around him, Skarre called on divine magic to enhance his skills.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Cast: Divine Insight (+5 to roll below)
Listen: (1d20+2)[6] - 11 total

[beholderkin]

Seeming to realize that its master hears nothing, the Shadow seems to...sulk? It droops slightly, at any rate, and drifts over to the balcony door and points up, motioning you to the balcony, but not stepping out onto the balcony itself, having been ordered to stay in the room unseen.

[Deadguy]

Skarre opened his eyes, or the orbs of balefire that had replaced them, glancing to the balcony. There would have been a tensing of his jaw muscles if he had any. As it were, he resigned himself to fishing out the key and unlocking the door.

There wasn't a moment of hesitation for him to step out, he was still capable of battle, even after such a drawn out fight against the goblins. Besides, this form was much more suited for such sustained engagements.

Once he was outside, he looked up as the Shadow had motioned.

[beholderkin]

Above the balcony door, under the eave of the roof, one tile is obviously out of place, revealing a space of some kind above the ceiling of the room inside. While Skarre couldn't hear what the Shadow had been having him listen for, it was now obvious where the Shadow was drawing attention to.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Successful Search Checks may reveal more information, depending on where the searches are made.
Alternatively, there are many ways the situation can be 'handled' with varying outcomes.

(Note: This side plot is in no way required or necessary, and this can also simply be ignored, if desired.)

[Deadguy]

Skarre looked at the rafters closer, attempting to find any other entrances or exits from the space between his room and the ceiling.

"I have no patience for spies and thieves... you may dispatch whoever or whatever is up there." Skarre motioned for the Shadow to go up, giving it free rein to hunt. He made sure to speak the words loud enough to be heard throughout the room.

Lifting his mace in both hands, he waited to see if the culprit would flush out or meet it's death at the hands of his minion.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Search: (1d20+4)[22]
Intimidate: (1d20+15)[29]

[beholderkin]

As the shadow slips upward into the ceiling, Skarre does not have to wait long before loud noises begin clattering from above his room, the sound coming through the open space above the balcony loud and clear. Frantic cawing and the clattering of objects sound out before a missile of black feathers shoots out of the hole above the balcony and into the sky, the raven seen staring from across the square earlier in the day taking flight and fleeing at speed in a frantic escape.

From above, the noise of clattering objects continues for a long minute before all is quiet once more, and the shadow drifts out from the ceiling, looking around, but not finding any more targets. Shrugging its insubstantial shoulders at its master, it drifts back to the corner, seemingly finished with whatever it had done above.

After a thorough search of the area surrounding the balcony, an inspection of the ceiling reveals a hatch that was long ago painted over, the seams nearly invisible under the thick white paint.

[Deadguy]

Skarre set about prying open the hatch. He wasn't overly concerned about traps in a place like this and did not put any particular effort in checking for them. If the hatch was locked as well as coated over with paint, hindering his entry further, he used his adamantine mace as a modified can opener to get passed.

Once opened, he entered through the hatch and continued toward up toward the space above the room. Inwardly, Skarre again reveled in his eyes immediately adjusting to the darkness within, thanks to the darkvision granted by his undead nature.

[beholderkin]

As Skarre quickly adjusts to the darkness, he finds himself in an attic space filled with dust and not far from the small opening from outside is a large nest filled with debris. While some looked old and covered in dust, some debris was obviously just disturbed.

As Skarre pokes at the pile here and there, movement within the pile causes objects to shift slightly. Which is extremely odd, considering the Shadow was supposed to kill anything up here under its orders. Shifting the pile, and preparing to attack, he finds...a broken broom.

The broom's handle is splintered and is attached by only a few thick splinters. Surrounding it are black feathers and bits of random string and ripped cloth of several varieties from seemingly many sources. The materials seemed to have been looped around the handle as if to try to repair the broom, but none of the pieces are properly cinched or knotted and hang loose. Some have feathers in stuck between them and the broom. As he inspects it, the broom vibrates slightly, but the motion is jerky and as the broken section moves even slightly, the broom goes inert again.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Please make an Knowledge (Nature) or Intelligence Check. Also make a Use Rope check.

You can also make a Knowledge (Arcana) check to see if the broom itself triggers any knowledge.