PrP: Creak Crash

Emitter: Ga'Elian

Players: Alik (Art5), Blauensturm (Art3)

Monsters: Four (4) Rust Monsters; all killed

Scene teaser: Alarming noises heard suddenly from behind the doors to the underground caverns beneath the Artificers' Hall.

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It's Gilday, Daeshen 21 13:40:29 1018. The full moon isn't up. The tide is low and ebbing. The sky is grey and cloudy, and nothing casts a shadow. The northwest wind is chilly.

A14: Entryway to the Caverns Beneath the Artificer's Hall

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(The beginning of the log was lost, but essentially what happened is that as Alik & Blauensturm were beneath the Artificers' Hall chatting, a loud CREAK was heard from beyond the locked and guarded door. Immediately thereafter, a loud CRASH followed.)

The guards at the door look back and forth to each other and shrug. One says, "We're only supposed to keep folks from going in there without a pass." The other says, "Well, I'm gonna go upstairs and report the noise."

Alik rolls his eyes. "Yes, yes. One of you report. The other, with us. Let us see what is." He approaches the direction of the noise carefully.

Blauensturm says, "You take the left side, I have the right." He says rather bluntly. then a 'clink' sound comes from Blauensturm as his low light vison clicks into place...then dark vision, if needed."

One guard is heading up, the other opens the door. As he opens it, there is palpable darkness beyond, but the light from this side of the door illuminates about 30 feet beyond it. The passage has a smooth, even floor as far as the light extends, but the walls are rough-hewn rock, with steel support beams.

GAME: Blauensturm rolls perception+2: (4)+8+2: 14

GAME: Alik rolls perception+2: (1)+17+2: 20

Both of you see beyond the light that one of the steel support beams has crumpled, as if it were made of toothpicks.

Ga'Elian paged Alik with 'You also see three indistinct figures, like turtles with long antennae, milling about down there.'

Alik stops short. "Rust monsters," he whispers. "Not good."

Blauensturm says, "not for us anyways. Thankfully I'm not completely made of metal." He then looks about. "We're gonna have a heck of a time repairing the beams."

The guard, who is wearing chain mail and carrying a longsword and steel shield says, "Crap. I'm in no condition to exterminate a rust monster infestation, and the artificers hall is full of metal."

Another creaking sound issues from the tunnel ahead, even louder than before, now that the door is open, then... CRASH!

Alik nods. "Beams. Doors. Gear. Not good." He gestures in the guard's direction. "Yes, as he says. Us, nether. But must stop them before they weaken tunnels further." He frowns. "Best plan is to lure and attack at range, yes? Hope to drop them before they reach us? Or better idea?" Hi planning is interrupted by the sudden crash.

<OOC> Alik says, "Can we see what crashed? I assume the beam collapsed?"

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "Another one, yes, further into the darkness."

Blauensturm puts away his pistol. "Well....it looks like this calls for my rifle." he says, but he doesn't lift anything else.

<OOC> Alik says, "OK. Range to critters? And will this be timestopped or not?"

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "It will, and the nearest ones are only about 40 feet away, but presently digesting the beam they just took out."

To the remaining guard, Alik adds "If not equipped with missiles, go get help with missiles, wands, deathrays. We will hold line."

It doesn't take telling the guard twice. He skedaddles away in a moment.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  ATTENTION  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Ga'Elian has dropped a TIMESTOP!

Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Ga'Elian to instruct you further.

For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

GAME: Blauensturm rolls initiative: 18 + 7 = 25

GAME: Alik rolls initiative: 2 + 3 = 5

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 25.

     It is now Blauensturm's turn! RM3 is next!

GAME: Note Flat-footed on Blauensturm ended.

GAME: Blauensturm refreshes spells.

GAME: Alik refreshes spells.

GAME: Alik refreshes special ability pools.

GAME: Blauensturm activates his Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Dex

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 1d20+5: (2)+5: 7

Blauensturm's armor activates with a high pitched whine and he fires a bolt at the closest rust monster. Sadly he misses horribly. "The line won't last long if I keep missing like that."

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 23.

     It is now RM3's turn! RM2 is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20

GAME: Blauensturm rolls reflex: (13)+9: 22

One of the beasts moves quickly toward you, and would have been badly hit by Blauensturm, except that the golem successfully evaded the touch of the antennae.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 20.

     It is now RM2's turn! RM1 is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (4)+6: 10

<OOC> Alik says, "AGH!!! RL grabbed. Not for long I hope!

Another gets the same idea, but doesn't even connect with Alik.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 15.

     It is now RM1's turn! RM4 is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (16)+6: 22

GAME: Blauensturm rolls reflex: (18)+9: 27

A third does as the first did. Approaches and tries to touch Blau, who successfully evades.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 7.

     It is now RM4's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (2)+6: 8

Again, the fourth (and last) rust monster attacks Alik, but doesn't even make contact. Anyway, everybody is in melee range with these abberations now.

That is, there are more of the beasts deeper in the tunnel, but they seem content to munch away on metal down there.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 5.

     It is now Alik's turn! Blauensturm is next!

GAME: Note Flat-footed on Alik ended.

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "As Alik had to AFK, I will declare that his action is temporarily held until after Blau's."

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 25.

     It is now Blauensturm's turn! RM3 is next!

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 1d20+5: (9)+5: 14

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 2d6+4: (7)+4: 11

After avoiding the antennae, Blauensturm makes sure to step back out of it's reach so he can get a good shot off. Thankfully, he hits this time."

<OOC> Blauensturm says, "Oh....and I think ya hafta roll reflex or something for tanglefoot."

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 4: (19)+4: 23

<OOC> Alik says, "OK, back. Sorry about that."

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "Alik, your turn was held until after Blau's since you had to AFK. Go ahead."

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "2 healthy on you; 1 healthy & 1 wounded on Blau"

GAME: Alik activates his Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Dex

GAME: Alik casts Color Spray. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 5: (9)+5: 14

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 5: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "Both of those on Alik are stunned for 1 round"

Alik scowls... the creatures are faster than he'd anticipated, and are on them before he can react. Which... is not good, as the artificers are also outnumbered. Not good, not good, not good. He pulls an artifice-wrapped prism from his belt and charges it with mana, firing a coruscating rainbow ray at the two creatures attacking him, stunning them both.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 23.

     It is now RM3's turn! RM2 is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (14)+6: 20

GAME: Blauensturm rolls reflex: (2)+9: 11

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 3d6+5: (7)+5: 12

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "Your titan armor is damaged for 12 hp"

The beast that Blau had struck, strikes back, damaging the golem's armor.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 20.

     It is now RM2's turn! RM1 is next!

This monster is stunned this round.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 15.

     It is now RM1's turn! RM4 is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (2)+6: 8

This one tries to reach out and touch Blau, but misses.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 7.

     It is now RM4's turn! Alik is next!

This monster, too, is stunned this round.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 5.

     It is now Alik's turn! Blauensturm is next!

<OOC> Alik says, "How tall are the ceilings in this cavern?"

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "15 feet."

<OOC> Alik says, "Does it seem likely that levitating would get me out of their range?"

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "Sure"

GAME: Alik casts Levitate. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15

<OOC> Alik says, "Also, if possible, toss my spare mace in the general direction of the ones after Blau. Not trying to do damage, just distract them."

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "Is the mace metal?"

<OOC> Alik says, "I assume so? It's a standard heavy mace."

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "Okay, pose it. (The mace is toast, though.)"

<OOC> Alik says, "Right, I figured."

GAME: Alik gave Ga'Elian his Heavy Mace.

Alik hastily tosses a mace hanging from his belt in the direction of the beasts harassing Blau, hoping to distract them at least briefly with some prey that doesn't fight back. He presses a switch on his armor, releasing a pair of light wings that glow dully with mana, lifting him up near the ceiling.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 25.

     It is now Blauensturm's turn! RM3 is next!

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 1d20+5: (18)+5: 23

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 2d6+4: (9)+4: 13

Stepping back again, Blauensturm fires off another shot at the wounded rust monster, hitting it in the face. "Die already, you nasty thing." Grimacing at the repairs he's going to need for his armor.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 23.

     It is now RM3's turn! RM2 is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (7)+6: 13

The almost mortally wounded monster ignores the mace, and tries to retaliate, but misses.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 20.

     It is now RM2's turn! RM1 is next!

One of those that had been attacking Alik tries to catch his ankle with its antennae, but the gnome is out of the creature's range.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 15.

     It is now RM1's turn! RM4 is next!

This creature eats the mace.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 7.

     It is now RM4's turn! Alik is next!

The other one left high and dry by Alik turns toward the golem.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 5.

     It is now Alik's turn! Blauensturm is next!

GAME: Alik spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: Alik rolls 1d20+7+1+2: (8)+7+1+2: 18

GAME: Alik rolls 3d6+3+3+1: (6)+3+3+1: 13

GAME: RM3 removed from initiative list.

Alik sticks his tongue out at the one trying to reach him, and smiles at the one eating the mace, before zapping one of the monsters threatening Blau.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 25.

     It is now Blauensturm's turn! RM2 is next!

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 1d20+5: (18)+5: 23

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 2d6+5: (4)+5: 9

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 4: (18)+4: 22

Now that the first monster has been killed, Blauensturm's rifle is turned towards the second one, and shoots it in the face.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 20.

     It is now RM2's turn! RM1 is next!

This guy is still trying to reach Alik, to no avail.

     Round Four - Init 15.

     It is now RM1's turn! RM4 is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (9)+6: 15

This monster attacks, and misses.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 7.

     It is now RM4's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (8)+6: 14

As does the next one.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 5.

     It is now Alik's turn! Blauensturm is next!

GAME: Alik spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: Alik rolls 1d20+7+1+2: (18)+7+1+2: 28

GAME: Alik rolls 3d6+3+3+1: (3)+3+3+1: 10

Alik fires again at a second beast, damaging it but leaving it sadly unslain.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Five - Init 25

     It is now Blauensturm's turn! RM2 is next!

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 1d20+5: (1)+5: 6

Blauensturm steps back again, but he stumbles, making his shot go wild.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Five - Init 20.

     It is now RM2's turn! RM1 is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (13)+6: 19

GAME: Blauensturm rolls reflex: (16)+9: 25

Finally, the one that had been trying to snare the levitating Alik turns its attention to Blau, who evades its wily antennae.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Five - Init 15.

     It is now RM1's turn! RM4 is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (5)+6: 11

The one that had been targeted by both artificers most recently tries to attack, but misses.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Five - Init 7.

     It is now RM4's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (4)+6: 10

As does the next one.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Five - Init 5.

     It is now Alik's turn! Blauensturm is next!

GAME: Alik spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: Alik rolls 1d20+7+1+2: (14)+7+1+2: 24

GAME: Alik rolls 3d6+3+3+1: (12)+3+3+1: 19

GAME: RM1 removed from initiative list.

Alik continues to rain purple lightning down on the creatures, killing another.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Six - Init 25.

     It is now Blauensturm's turn! RM2 is next!

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 1d20+5: (20)+5: 25

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 1d20+5: (2)+5: 7

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 2d6+4: (5)+4: 9

Now that a second rust monster is dead, Blauensturm turns his rifle to another one, steps back and shoots. Hitting it on the legs this time.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Six - Init 20.

     It is now RM2's turn! RM4 is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (13)+6: 19

GAME: Blauensturm rolls reflex: (13)+9: 22

The one that Blauensturm just wounded strikes back, but Blauensturm dodges the attack.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Six - Init 7.

     It is now RM4's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (8)+6: 14

The other doesn't manage to make contact either.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Six - Init 5.

     It is now Alik's turn! Blauensturm is next!

GAME: Alik spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: Alik rolls 1d20+7+1+2: (12)+7+1+2: 22

GAME: Alik rolls 3d6+3+3+1: (10)+3+3+1: 17

<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "Let's just have you add a plea to the god of your choice to that in your pose, and I'll grant a +1 sacred bonus to the damage roll, so as to kill it."

Sweat springs out on Alik's forehead as his deathray vents waste heat copiously. "Father Reos bless my craft, and destroy those who would snack on it!" he shouts, raining lightning down and frying the synapses of yet a third critter.

GAME: RM2 removed from initiative list.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Seven - Init 25.

     It is now Blauensturm's turn! RM4 is next!

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11

Blauensturm is not having a great day. Not only are rust monsters down here, but he can't seem to hit very often. Stumbling, another shot goes off.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Seven - Init 7.

     It is now RM4's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (2)+6: 8

The monsters are having a devil of a time trying to hit, too. Another failed attack.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Seven - Init 5.

     It is now Alik's turn! Blauensturm is next!

GAME: Alik spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: Alik rolls 1d20+7+1+2: (3)+7+1+2: 13

Alik continues to hose down the creatures with lightning... unfortunately, the obsessive little gnome forgets to switch targets to the living one, and just continues to toast one of the corpses.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Eight - Init 25.

     It is now Blauensturm's turn! RM4 is next!

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8

Blauensturm fires another shot, but the lightning arcs to the wrong target.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Eight - Init 7.

     It is now RM4's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (17)+6: 23

GAME: Blauensturm rolls reflex: (7)+9: 16

This is more of a stand-off than a fight it seems, as neither side succeeds against the other.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Eight - Init 5.

     It is now Alik's turn! Blauensturm is next!

GAME: Alik spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: Alik rolls 1d20+7+1+2: (16)+7+1+2: 26

GAME: Alik rolls 3d6+3+3+1: (6)+3+3+1: 13

Alik suddenly realizes that his target is dead and sheepishly switches targets, raising charred welts along its flanks.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Nine - Init 25.

     It is now Blauensturm's turn! RM4 is next!

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 1d20+5: (19)+5: 24

GAME: Blauensturm rolls 2d6+4: (7)+4: 11

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 4: (15)+4: 19

Blauensturm shoots this rust monster in the face, after he changes the charge on it. "buggy little thing."

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Nine - Init 7.

     It is now RM4's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6: (15)+6: 21

GAME: Blauensturm rolls reflex: (11)+9: 20

Tenaciously fighting on, the beast tries again despite standing on the threshhold of its own demise. It doesn't matter, though. Blauensturm's reflexes are simply too good for it.

GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order.

     Round Nine - Init 5.

     It is now Alik's turn! Blauensturm is next!

GAME: Alik spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: Alik rolls 1d20+7+1+2: (12)+7+1+2: 22

GAME: Alik rolls 3d6+3+3+1: (10)+3+3+1: 17

GAME: RM4 removed from initiative list.

Alik shouts "EAT ACTINIC DISCHARGE!!!" as the last creature explodes satisfyingly.

GAME: Blauensturm deactivates his Titan Armor.

GAME: Alik deactivates his Titan Armor.

GAME: Ga'Elian removes the timestop.

Timestop by Ga'Elian has left.

Blauensturm grabs onto one of the plates of his armor...the rusted piece, and tugs it off...throwing to the ground. He then draws his pistol, and shoots everyone of the rust monsters in the head...or what he thinks is the head. "Alik.....do you have anything sharp? SO we can cut off their antennae and research them?"

Just as the last creature up this end of the tunnel snuffs it, the reinforcements arrive from upstairs. None too early either. Down the tunnel, another loud CREAKing is heard, followed by another resounding CRASH!

Alik shrugs. Rust monsters are not precisely a mystery, just a resounding nuisance. "Perhaps waiting until all are dealt with, first?"