DM EngineHouse - Smoke and Shadow (Inactive)

Game Master EngineHouse


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Gnome Wizard (Familiar Adept) 3

Knowledge (Engineering): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 For insight into their accoutrements

Oblivious to any concern about his arcane vocation, Vhailor instead focuses in on their armament rapidfire questioning "I like your guns, How does that mask work?, Nice pistol, Do you have any other goodies?"


Male Dwarf Oracle 3

Odol slowly makes his way over to Salvin, trying to disguise his limp from the soldiers. Reaching Salvin, he squares himself up.

Bluff (to hide limp) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Odol growls, "Interesting questions Vhailor. Let's see if they can answer some others. It's probably obvious, but we're new to these parts. Who are you and what were they? Exactly what is going on here and what do you mean no one has surrendered in a long time?"

Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25


Obadiah watches the scene unfold;

T' fools. They seek t' parley with these 'osepipe warriors... They need t' judgement of Erastil...

Lowering his bow to a readied postion the preacher walks slowly up to the warriors as they converse with his fellows...

When he is within 50ft he stops... closely scrutising them... and their souls...

Detect Evil


Dwarf Ranger (Trapper)/3

Damrang maintains his overwatch, refusing to be lulled into a false sense of security.

"Careful Obadiah, we need you to keep us on the path."

Perception
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13


Male Human Paladin 3

Salvin lowers his hands and listens as the man answers questions. He nods his head in agreement with Odol's questions, adding one of his own quickly.

"What's a topsidder? Do you all live underground?"

Salvin is glad to see Damrang is keeping watch and Obadiah is moving between the two groups. If things go bad, at least one attack won't hit everyone.


Male Half-Elf Oracle of Time (Dual-Cursed) 1 (HP 9/9) (AC 16/11/15) (CMD 15) (Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +0) (Init +3) (Perception +5)

Unwilling to run-off out of sight, without any support, Gregory returns to the rest of the party, shaking his head.

"The spell-caster got away. What is going on around here?"


Male Human Engineer 1/Gamer 4

"Hell, you're all brimming with questions. Yeah, we live underground. You standing on a whole fraking city."

One of the privates calls over

"Three dead, two stable, but Carlith is bleeding out sir! The clotter isn't taking!"

The sergeant turns his back on you all and heads over to the same downed trooper the two privates are crouching beside.

"Now's not the time for fraking fact finding!"


Male Half-Elf Oracle of Time (Dual-Cursed) 1 (HP 9/9) (AC 16/11/15) (CMD 15) (Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +0) (Init +3) (Perception +5)

Gregory shoulders his way over to the downed trooper.

"Let me have a look..."

Gregory places his hand over the site of the wound, there is a smell like burned flesh, mixed with a subtle metallic tang, and the man's wound heals over...

CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6.


Enginehouse:

Presuming nothing showing on Obadiah's evil radar? - Detected Evil


Gnome Wizard (Familiar Adept) 3

Vhailor trundles over while Gregory does his work.


Male Human Paladin 3

Salvin's eyes widen a little as he hears the reply.

An entire city under the ground and no one mentioned it? This Choking Tower could just be their furnace, then. And if both sides are fighting a war here, it would be insanely stupid to send undead troops after a city that isn't even involved in this fight. The more we learn, the less this makes sense.


Male Human Engineer 1/Gamer 4

Gregory, the soldiers are too preoccipied to see you approach. They only realize you're there once you touch Carlith and begin casting. One of them grabs you and shoves you away, but by the time he does the spell is cast and the vicious arrow wound in the patient's side has faded to a mere deep cut.

"What the FRAK are...you..."

The private looks down as his comrade regains consiousness. The sergeant reholsters the pistol he half-drew when you started casting

"You're using up healing on strangers who've done nothing but curse and wave guns at you? Well...thanks, I guess."

He looks around into the trees.

"That twist will have snuck back to Silvercrest soon. He'll be back with re-enforcements soon, ready to dig in around this exit for good. Hell. You people have no idea what you've walked into do you? Well, we've still got a bit of time. And for that spell, I'm inclined to dedicate it to filling you lot in."

Behind him, the two other soldiers pull their masks off. You see that despite the guns and the strange armour, they look like the troops of every losing side in Glorian - slightly underfed, slightly nervous teenagers.

"Sergeant Hakkon, South Quarter Grenadiers. This is private Jack Venter and private Hugo Venter. Typical quarry boys - either they're both downed or neither are."

"Ok, here's the basics. The city we're from is called Delve. We're at war with the Helix Order, commonly called twists 'cause they're evil wretches..."

"...and they prefer each other's back ends to the girls back home"

"...Hugo summing it up as elegantly as ever there. Gnome, I also like my gun, the arties finally got the second barrel triggering reliably. The mask lets me breath out of this tank rather than suck in whatever smog the twists spit out. I don't run out of air 'cause it's all squashed up. Yes, we've got plenty more goodies, but they're letting us hold our own and not a whole lot more."

He's actually smiling now. He seems to be enjoying making you all as confused as possible

"Next question?"

Obadiah:
You don't see evil on any of the soldiers. However, since they are grunts fighting with mundane weapons they are likely not powerful enough entities for their souls to be visible to your detection ability even if they are black-hearted.


Male Human Paladin 3

The sergeant can tell that Salvin is quite confused by everything that has been said. He tries to rack his brain to remember if he's ever heard of any of this before.

Knownledge(arcana)1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10 and Knowledge(local) nonclass skill 1d20 ⇒ 5

"If you live underground, how did start fighting this Helix Order? Are they from below as well? And do you not have magics below or dwarves and halflings?"


Gnome Wizard (Familiar Adept) 3

Craft (Alchemy): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Knowledge (Engineering): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Nodding as he listens to the men speak, he then responds "Aaahh, thankyou Mr Sergeant. Squashy air indeed, here I was thinking it was a foamy alchemical thingy." blinking eyes innocently "Any chance I could take a peepsie at your gun?.... no I spose not... Why are you called Grenadiers - are you named after a fruit? What I wouldn't give to get my hands on his big shiny boomstick..." before pausing and stopping a beat...

"Do you have to eat mushrooms then?"


Dwarf Ranger (Trapper)/3

Damrang is here, he's just not coming down until he is given the all clear.

What is going on down there? Obadiah'll be bringing hell to those men any second now, I'll target the one doing the talking when he does.


Obadiah watches the interplay as he searches the men's souls...

Nowt. No trace of evil, but don't mean that they ain't blackhearted... just able to ward t' likes of me...

The inquisitor slowly backs up towards Damrang and whispers an aside;

"Seems our 'osepipers appear 'onest men Master Flintforge. Ah say we keep them in sight and sights, until such time as we're sure of their intentions. Ah trust not t' judgement of t' others save salwart Salvin..."

With that he once again draws a bead on the second 'osepiper rifleman...


Male Human Engineer 1/Gamer 4

Obadiah, you're aware an evil-aligned non-cleric non-undead creature only registers on detect evil if they have 5HD or more, right?

Hakkon rubs his eyes as he responds to Salvin

"The twists just went and invaded. Don't know why they're here - as far as we can tell they're mercs. And they've got us by the stones, because no, we don't just eat mushrooms. With enough druids helping the berries from a forest like this can feed a city. Except berries are hard to find when you're dodging enemy patrols. Frak this light..."

He pulls his goggles back down before continuing

"As for the rest of you questions - No, we have all the common races living in Delve. I wasn't surprised to see a dwarf and a halfling, I was surprised to see a dwarf and a halfling here. Reason my squad is all human is we need all the dwarves on the lower front. Don't ask. As for the magic, I'm not awed by a simple cure spell. I'm just awed that your friend was willing to use one on a stranger when he knows he's in a warzone."

He turns to Vhailor

"We've got plenty of gunsmiths willing to sell, mate. You're not going to be meeting any of them though. Outsiders don't get let into Delve unless they've given the twists a bloody nose. And a few heads won't cut it either - they've tried knocking off their own men to make their agents look legit. They're like that."

Obadiah and Damrang, if you want to stay hidden you'll need to make stealth checks


EngineHouse wrote:

Obadiah, you're aware an evil-aligned non-cleric non-undead creature only registers on detect evil if they have 5HD or more, right?

Do now boss ;)

Obadiah and Damrang, if you want to stay hidden you'll need to make stealth checks

The preacher quietly continues to watch the newcombers down the shaft of his notched arrow...

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18


Dwarf Ranger (Trapper)/3

Stealth w/o shield
1d20 ⇒ 3

Well crud.

Damrang nervously moves from foot to foot, the tension of the situation starting to get to him.


Male Human Paladin 3

"Do you know who these Twist Helix people work with, or where they part of our group at some time? And do you know anything about a large tower nearby?"


Male Human Engineer 1/Gamer 4

"We have no idea who the Helix are working for, just that it's almost certainly an old enemy of Overseer Xoud. And yes, I know of the choking tower. It's the only thing keeping us from suffocating down there"

He glances at the bashes behind Salvin

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"Oh, and if you're just innocently curious what the FRAK do you still have an archer covering us?


Male Half-Elf Oracle of Time (Dual-Cursed) 1 (HP 9/9) (AC 16/11/15) (CMD 15) (Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +0) (Init +3) (Perception +5)

For the record, I have been staying quiet, as the questions I want answered have already been answered ;-)

Gregory looks-up from the man he has been tending, and glances in the direction indicated.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24.

Sigh. Trust those Luddites to still be hiding in the bushes.

He then shakes his head.

"I would refer to them as unfortunate traveling companions, rather than friends. You see, there is a top-side town on the other side of the wasteland, whose inhabitants hate and fear technology. That 'archer' comes from the town, and undoubtedly is concerned because you wield items of high technology."

He pauses briefly, before continuing.

"We are here, because someone has been sending wave after wave of undead, undead whose brains have been replaced with cogs, across the wasteland. Do you know anything about that...?"

@EngineHouse: Do the robes worn by the dead Twists look anything like those worn by the Halfling mercenaries back in town?


Male Dwarf Oracle 3

Odol continues to watch the situation with interest while listening to the soldier, momentarily forgetting that Obadiah and Damrang have not joined the group.

Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

For every answer, ten new questions spring forth. What manner of land is this? A city like those of the dwarves underground? Who would have anticipated this when we started out.


Male Human Engineer 1/Gamer 4

"Well, we're certainly not sending monsters anywhere. Sometimes I wish we COULD make the dead fight again rather than waste more good men. Right, that's as long as I'm willing to stand around in the forest. If you know what's good for you you'll come back the way you came. The twists are a lot worse than undead."

He and the Venter brothers help their three wounded comrades to their feet. They strip the three bodies of their weapons and ammo but leave them where they lie. Painstakingly they descend back into the ravine, ignoring any further questions that may be asked of them. Finally, they disappear back through the waterfall. Just before he plunges through, Sergeant Hakkon calls back to you:

"If you try following us you'll end up dead. Delve isn't open to topsiders. Nothing personal."


Male Human Paladin 3

Salvin nods as the soldiers warn them about entering the Delve.

"I take no offense. Thank you for answering our questions."

Once the soldiers leave, he'll climb down and help Gregory examine both the soldiers and the casters. He'll be looking for any clues or information that might shed some light on the situation. If he finds a spell book or materials, he'll see if there is anything that could help with the creation of zombies.

Taking 20 on Perception, Knowledge(arcana) 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

To the others, he'll say:

"They didn't seem to be trying to lie to us, but that doesn't mean we can trust everything they said. I've never heard of a people like them or a place like this. And it still doesn't explain the attacks on the townspeople."


Male Dwarf Oracle 3

Sense Motive (on soldier's comments about the undead] 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

"I agree Salvin. They may not be entirely truthful and perhaps have their own motives for painting their conflict with these mages in their own favor, but this is new information about their city and the choking tower."

He pauses to aid Salvin in his search of the materials.

"I have no doubt that we may have to find a way into this Delve. But, should we find a place to secret ourselves again and see if the mages return as they have predicted?"


Gnome Wizard (Familiar Adept) 3

With a simplistic expression worthy of a defiant three year old "Well I want to follow the nice men with the big guns, can we find some of these twisties to kill so we can?" looking earnestly at his companions.

Vhailor also looks to help Salvin dredge over whatever remains of the dead 'twists'
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Hearing Odol's suggestion and fidgeting excitedly "Yes, yes that sounds fun. I'm a magey looking person and I don't think they saw me - can I stay out in the open and talk to them?"


Dwarf Ranger (Trapper)/3

Upon seeing the strange men leave back into their waterfall, Damrang will stow his bow and head down to the group.

"What did they tell you? Do we have a path to the Choking Tower?"


Male Human Paladin 3

Salvin is muttering to himself as Damrang comes down and he doesn’t look happy.

“They’re soldiers of an underground city called Delve that’s split into quarters. We’re standing on top of it now, and the Choking Tower is connected to it. They claim the mages were part of some group called the Helix Order. Their slang for them is ‘Twist,’ and they said the one who escaped is heading back to someplace called Silvercrest. They expect him to return with reinforcements.”

“They alleged the Twists attacked their city for no reason and could be mercenaries. From the way they talked, their kind of technology is commonplace in the Delve. Despite that, they claimed no one had the ability to reanimate the dead like we’ve seen. Even if they were lying, I doubt such things are commonplace there since they didn’t claim any bodies and or use any zombies in their patrol. They claimed to be hunting for berries to turn into food through druidic magics.”

“Here’s the part you’re not going to like. They mentioned an Overseer Xoud. I knew I had heard the name before, but I couldn’t remember where. Then I knew. Your village elders said they thought the zombie attacks could have been an attack by Furkas Xoud and that’s not a common last name.”

He turns to the others who were with him during the talk.

"What did I leave out?"


Obadiah watches the 'osepipers interplay with his mecurious allies... when he notices the leader point in their direction he smiles down his aimed bow;

That's right 'osepiper. you may 'ave won over them, but I'll not be blinded by toys and mech-talk...

As they leave he nods to Damrang and they trudge forward, just in time to catch Salvin's observations.

At the mention of Xoud, the preacher's jaw sets and eyes flash;

"These... men... are in league with Xoud? Then per'haps it is they who are also t' enemy? Could not their "overseer" be sending dead troops against fair Iadenveigh as a test before setting them loose on these "twists" they 'ate so much?"

He spits once.

"Druidic magic? T' druids respect t' land and do not sully themselves with trappings of science and machines..."

And again.

"T' Parables tell us: Defend t' land. Defend t 'earth. Defend t' 'ome. That is what I mean to do. That is what we are charged to do. Protect Iadenviegh. Fell t' tower. Not seek out cities of shadow skulkers nor tech lovers. Like an arra let us stay true to our path eh?"


Gnome Wizard (Familiar Adept) 3

Brow furrowed in confusion "Mr Obadiah, isn't the antler headed one quite fond of communities? The Mr Sergeant told us that the tower is the only thing keeping their city from suffocating. If we knock it over we could kill a city!" face raising in surprise as he thinks that through.

"What do the parables say about slaying a city so a village may live?" blinking at Mr Obadiah with an inquisitive expression. "Are the men who had the guns evil?"


Male Half-Elf Oracle of Time (Dual-Cursed) 1 (HP 9/9) (AC 16/11/15) (CMD 15) (Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +0) (Init +3) (Perception +5)

"Obadiah, we were charged with task of stopping the source of the undead assault groups. It was suggested that a 'Xoud' was the likely culprit, but as of yet, we have had no hard evidence one way or the other. Let's continue to gather information, before we make any rash judgements..."


Obadiah smiles at the gnome and half-elf;

So beguilled by bright toys and silver tongues - like little children

"i respect your council and views Masters Falk and Leichardt, but I'll not be swayed. Master Kelt's word was that Xoud's fell influence was at 'and. 'is word is good enough for Iadenveigh and thus more than enough for me."

as he continues his voice grows sombre;

"Erastil is not a god of bleak and blasted landscapes Master Falk, but of green swards and foggy mornings and snowy mountains. Should these "Delvers" see t' light and crawl from t' underworld, then t' Elk Father will welcome them to his 'earth. But I fear them lost, to gods of machines, toil or worse..."


Gnome Wizard (Familiar Adept) 3

Starting to get a little more strident "So your god does not see dwarves are worthy of his reckoning, seeing as how many live beneath the earth?"

"Are you a thinking man, or do you just blindly follow the instructions set out by that do not risk their own lives?"


'E sees all worthy of 'is reckoning little master. Many folk, be they elf, man or gnome 'ave their own gods and own aims. Damrang is a stalwart dwarf and is blessed of Erastil, so there your answer is clear..."

Leaning on his bow, Obadiah smiles once again;

"... and I merely meant these Delvers seek to destroy or endanger others enviroments to fuel their own. We of Iadenviegh live 'ere, work 'ere and will die 'ere. To many of you it is but a rustic stop on your life's travels. But it is our 'ome and all threats to t' home an hearth must be dealt with. "Delvers" or "Twists" I care not for their reasons - only that they stop... If that makes me simple then so be it... "


Male Human Engineer 1/Gamer 4

The uniforms of the Helix order are those of battle wizards, whilst the gear of Huron's Flameslingers deosn't do anything to indicate they're spellcasters. There's no similarity between the two outfits.

On the two bodies are two dog tags - Adept Adall Meer and Adept Relsome Kand. Vhailor, you know that if the Helix Order uses the common definition of adept these two were slightly more learned than you in the magical arts.

Removing their masks, you see that Relsome is a male full-elf and Adall is a female half-elf. Adall carries no personal effects or orders, Relsome has what looks like a wedding ring that could be worth a few dozen gold. You also find the following gear on the two of them (Vhailor's spellcraft check was enough to make identifications)

2 suits of medium leather armour (Helix Order uniform).

2 medium composite shortbows with a +1 strength modifier

2 potions of invisibility

1 scroll of fireball

(The other mage carries an empty scroll tube - it looks like a single scroll of some kind is standard issue to Helix Order troopers)

There is also the armour worn by the three fallen Delve infantrymen

3 suits of medium rifleman's chainmail (+1 shield bonus to AC vs ranged attacks if the user was stationary the previous round and an extra -1 armour check penalty)


Gnome Wizard (Familiar Adept) 3

Vhailor snaffles the scroll and scroll cases, and explains what the two potions do.

To Mr Obadiah: "Ok, so lets find out where the zombie mecha doozies come from first... No need to topple the tower unless that's the source?"


Male Dwarf Oracle 3

"I agree. Those of us that aren't going to speak with the Helix need to get into cover now, but I think we need to learn if they are responsible, know a third party that is, or have evidence that this Delve is responsible."


Male Human Paladin 3

Salvin listens to the back and forth, wondering just how many dead people are going to pile up over these differing viewpoints.

"I'll be no party to the slaughter of children, which is exactly what would happen if we choke off a city. We're here to stop the undead, and we're still not sure who is behind all this. So let's go find out, before another group comes up and we have to go through all this again."


Male Half-Elf Oracle of Time (Dual-Cursed) 1 (HP 9/9) (AC 16/11/15) (CMD 15) (Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +0) (Init +3) (Perception +5)

Gregory.

"I agree with you completely, Salvin."

He then moves off to try and adopt a 'hidden' position in the bushes.

Stealth: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14.


Dwarf Ranger (Trapper)/3

"Obadiah, they speak sense. We should deal with the zombies and allow the city fathers to make a decision on the tower later."

These Delvers are twisted in their faith, but if they are not the source of the zombies then they are not today's problem.


Male Dwarf Oracle 3

"All right everyone. I'm not ready to trust either of these groups and I'd rather watch the Helix Order at first in case they come in blasting."

Odol trudges over into the thickest bushes he can find and attempts to hide near Gregory.

Stealth 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16


Male Human Paladin 3

Salvin looks around him at the others.

"I guess we're staying then rather than moving on?"

If so, Salvin will just stand behind a large enough tree to give him concealment. Trying to hide is pretty much pointless for him.

Stealth 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (18) - 7 = 11


Obadiah nods at the council of Damrang and Salvin.

Iadenveigh. All that matters.

He walks to the bushes alongside Damrang and notches an arrow;

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13


Male Human Engineer 1/Gamer 4

After about half an hour waiting, those of you who stay out in the open hear a voice come out of nowhere.

"Well well well. What brings the likes of you to the shadow of the Choking Tower?

The voice is soft and definately female. Those of you in cover cannot hear it. It's clearly scornful, and a number of male voices chuckle at the remark, seemingly from all around you.

DM only:
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Ha! She doesn't even spot the heavily armoured sholders sticking out either side of a treetrunk.


Gnome Wizard (Familiar Adept) 3

Making no attempt to hide his arcane incantation, Vhailor casts prestidigitation, and uses it to cycle the colour of his staff through the colours of the rainbow. "Thats a neat trick, how do you like mine? Why don't you come out and say hello." pausing a couple of beats "Oh, and we've come out to topple the choking tower if we have to"


Male Dwarf Oracle 3

Odol continues his attempt to stay hidden in the underbrush and at the same time attempts to peer out to find the source of the voices.

Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
Spellcraft 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Odol seems to have found a particularly thick area of brush that not only disguises him, but the approaching voice as well.


Male Human Paladin 3

Salvin holds his breath and stands still, waiting to see if the new arrival is friend or foe. But he's leaning toward foe already.


From his vantage point Obadiah scans the area for the voice's source:

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

His bow feels comfortable in his hands, his mind clear...

Elk Father let this fog of mystery be lifted so Iadenviegh's true foes be revealed. Twist or Delve I care not, only justice for t' dead...


Dwarf Ranger (Trapper)/3

Damrang also scans the surrounding area, looking for the mysterious voice.

Perception +6
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 +2 if they're constructs

He grips his bow tightly, ready to fire if they are attacked.

This has gotten so complicated.

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