Zg Session 26

Aleith|DM: It's the evening of Autumn 31st, 500 A.O.V. Professor Weber has asked you to meet him at the royal safehold at 6 PM, an hour before the gala is to start.
Ernst is content going straight to the roof. His robot is there in his place.
Gerald‘ makes his way to the meeting point, at least. Though he’s dressed in his normal rough and tumble gear.
Chandrasekhar is all spiffy, for values of spiffy that factor in solid-looking armour.
Aleith|DM: Ernst has to show his badge to a couple of the guards and workers at the museum, but after that you can setup on the roof.
Phyllis stands in the entryway. Of note are some new, snazzy gloves and a gold-colored book she's carrying at her side.
Aleith|DM: The royal safehold is nearby, but not in the same building, and you meet Hans Weber there.
Garrett‘ is dressed darkly. He’ll be along the walls or in the shadows, anyway. Openly carrying only one, rather plain dagger- the other is magically stowed.
Aleith|DM: The 2 artifacts there are double-checked, then stored in cases for transport to the museum. You ride in the carriage with them.
Aleith|DM: Once you're at the museum, about 10 minutes later, you can set them up. Professor Weber helps setup the Amulet and the Blade of the Ancients, then shows you how he would like the Staff to be setup after your…preparations.
Chandrasekhar: "It's awfully convenient that our friend didn't spirit them away while they were languishing in the warehouse."
Gerald‘ makes his way up to the roof, finding a good spot to perk where he can see most of the room from. "You missed absolutely nothing, good call."
Phyllis: "Phasing capabilities and all."
Zane is dressed to the nines. Blood red silk shirt, grey half-cloak, black jacket and pants tucked into leather boots. Black leather gloves with a pointed cuff and a wide-brimmed hat with a feather that matches the shirt.
Phyllis: "One wonders why wait for the gala?"
Zane: "To know for certain where they are."
Ernst seems to be wearing his usual getup. He nods to Gerald before smiling. "I installed a siren on top of Stocke’s head I'm totally going to set it off if we see anything fishy on the roof."
Phyllis also takes the time to ready Hunter's Blessing on herself, and Detect Planar Energy on anyone who wants it. (Though … they're capable of it themselves for the latter.) (( Should we do an Apet / Bleak Gate split or ))
Zane runs his hands over the staff respectfully, placing it in its case afterwards. A clever eye might see him pocket something afterwards, and note the very faint sheen of oil on the relic.
Gerald: "I bet they'll love that."
Gerald: "Everyone loves klaxon."
Ernst: "Realistically speaking if I was going to do a heist here I'd imagine part of my plan would involve the skylight over there." He gestures to the skylight directly above the artifacts.
Chandrasekhar approves of Zane in /every possible/ context.
Garrett: "That's why you're on roof duty."
Ernst: "If they had a way to snatch it from the roof they could be in and out very quick."
Gerald: "Yeah. S'why I'm closer to that one than the other, anyway. If you wanna sit on it that's cool too."
Garrett: "Is there any itinerary we should be aware of, Mr. Weber?"
Garrett: "Like some sort of gathering for an official announcement."
Ernst fidgets with his cloak. It seems without having Stocke beside him to tinker with he doesn't know what to do while he idles. "So uh… you liking the job?"
Weber: "The doors open at 7. No real itinerary, everyone will just be mingling. The night ends at 10 PM."
Phyllis: "And the artifacts after the gala are … where? Back in storage then?"
Gerald: "It's pretty fun, yeah."
Chandrasekhar: "I almost feel like our mysterious friend -wants- to make some sort of scene. Keep your guard up, Phyllis."
Ernst: "I'm surprised nobodies been seriously hurt yet outside of Garrett on our first job. Almost feels like we've been pushing our luck a bit too far lately?"
Weber: "Generally they'll be stored in their cases unless we need to close for a while. We have overnight security. Unless whatever has happened to Xambria is still out there, of course. We might need to keep them in the safehold overnight until then."
[OOC] Garrett: "If only, then we'd have reason to take the artifacts into evidence…"
Gerald: "I don't know about you but I'm really good at hurting people before they can hurt me. Honestly everyone else in our squad does."
Phyllis: "It is. There's been roughly one killing a day by it."
Gerald: "Heck, Phyllis is flinging enemy swords into other enemies half the time."
Zane: "I expect that to end soon."
Aleith|DM: At 7, the doors open, and a few guests start trickling in. Professor Weber starts showing them around, making light conversation.
[OOC] Phyllis: just makin' sure you saw my post about preemptive ritual casting, yes?
Aleith|DM: Yep.
Ernst glances down at the exhibit before shaking his head. "… honestly though the real reason I'm up here is because I didn't want to dress up."
[OOC] Phyllis: rad. Anyone else wanna get Detect Planar Energy up?
Zane spends a few minutes in quiet contemplation, and begins unobtrusively blending through the crowd. [Detect Planar Energy: Apet. Holding down triangle to blend in.]
[OOC] Chandrasekhar: Yeah «<
Gerald: "Haha. I bet you could pull off the pompous, self important jackass look pretty well though." Gerald grins.
Aleith|DM: Over the next half hour, more guests begin trickling in.
Chandrasekhar is blending in by… looking like he belongs; there're a few people he recognizes - the sort of people who showed up for enough of the Vekeshi chant to have been seen there, you know?
[OOC] Phyllis: Hunter's Blessing target is Sehjin. Hopefully that's specific enough.
Aleith|DM: There's a couple of them, yeah.
Aleith|DM: Sijhen
[OOC] Phyllis: Whatever
[OOC] Gerald: To be fair, that's a spell you wanna be real specific with. :3
Aleith|DM: About 15 minutes in, Dr. Wolfgang von Recklinghausen arrives with Dr. Lynn Kindleton on his arm.
Ernst: "… ah. The doctor is here."
Wolfgang: "Evening, constables. I didn't know you'd be providing security tonight."
Ernst: "I'm honestly amazed he didn't flee town all things considered."
Gerald: "That's… the guy we save from the cave that had the sword fight with Zane for fun, right?"
Ernst: "Yeah."
Gerald: "Wonder what the hell he's still doing in town."
Phyllis spends her time ostensibly perusing the exhibits. … okay, there's some sincerity in that. But she's still got a magical eye out for their quarry.
Ernst: "I don't think he ever left. Despite our words of caution."
Lynn: "Thank you for helping Wolfgang out last season. We greatly appreciate it."
Zane: "Doctors. I admit, I am surprised to see you both here."
Garrett‘ frowns as he notices Dr. von Recklinghausen, but dismisses it.
Zane mostly addresses that to Wolfgang, yes.
Chandrasekhar nods to them. This is probably too much their wheelhouse for them to stay away.
Wolfgang: "We thought it would be interesting to see the exhibit."
Phyllis turns from the Cavemen exhibit to the Doctors and nods. "Part business, part pleasure. It’s just as fascinating for myself as well."
Wolfgang: "Thank you for helping with my passport, again. I plan on leaving soon, but I wanted to stay around long enough to see the Arms Fair and this exhibit, to be honest. And spend some more time with Ms. Kindleton, of course."
Zane: "Of course."
Ernst has Stock tilt its head and stare at the bystander beside the artifacts.
Zane: "Doctor von Recklinghausen. It occurs to me your appearance here may in fact be an unexpected boon."
Gerald: "Man, you know what would be funny…"
Ernst: "Hm?"
Wolfgang: "Really? Expecting something, are we?"
Gerald: "If you like, set a bunch of music box like things up inside of Stocke that sounds like words or sometimes. Totally freak people out."
Phyllis: "Now isn't the time to have a live demonstration of fencing technique, I suppose."
[OOC] Gerald: something^
Zane: "When things inevitable take a turn for the chaotic, I would greatly appreciate it if you would see the civilians to safety." A small smile. "All things considered."
Wolfgang: "Should that happen, I will do my best."
Phyllis: "He's joking." But her tone says he's not.
Ernst scratches at his cheek in thought before shaking his head. "I'm not sure that would qualify as something suitable to be doing on duty. We've got a full house down there, though."
Zane nods politely. "I am in your debt."
Phyllis: She just … has to say that. For appearances.
Aleith|DM: At 7:30, there's a bit of a commotion as none-other than Rock Rackus enters the museum.
Gerald: "Well… I mean, just in general."
Chandrasekhar: "(Oh for goddess' sake.)"
Gerald: "Heyyyy I know that guy!"
Garrett‘ snorts and tries to hide it behind an amused hand.
Aleith|DM: Professor Weber does not seem to be a fan, as he tries to usher the man out, but some of the other guests seem to be enjoying his stories. Someone got him to start talking about his own trip to an Ancient ziggurat, and they’re eating it up.
Ernst: "There's a few familiar faces here, yeah."
Aleith|DM: It sounds a bit embellished, as most of his stories are, but most of the details seem about right from your own trip.
Phyllis nods at Rock. "Didn't expect to see you here tonight. Not like you haven't seen anything here already."
Zane pauses, and pinches the bridge of his nose.
Rock shrugs. "Eh, some of it is new. Some of these things weren't in that Crysilliri place."
Ernst: "Think Xambria will show?"
Gerald: "Definitely."
Phyllis: "Still, it's in the same vein of things."
Phyllis glances around again. "I'll leave you to it. Have a good evening."
Aleith|DM: He nods to you, and starts up another wild tale of his adventures.
Zane keeps circulating, eyes flicking over the crowd, watching for telltale signs of Apet energy.
Aleith|DM: The clock tower nearby starts tolling 8PM, Gerald, when you hear a metallic 'tink' over by the western skylight.
Aleith|DM: Phyllis, you look up at the sound, and can see a hazy outline above the skylight.
Aleith|DM: And then-
The skylight above the Ancient gala hall shatters, and a woman in black leather descends on a silk rope amid the crashing glass. She flicks her head to adjust a braid of red hair, revealing Xambria's face. But something in her eyes is different—-cold, calculating, alien.
She carries Xambria's old miner's pick, but does not wear the golden icon necklace you’ve seen her with every time before.
A security guard takes a step toward her, but she pulls back her miner's pick as a threat, and the man pauses. A hush falls over the crowd.
Aleith|DM: "You know," Xambria says as she glances at a diorama depicting Ancient dress, "they really didn't look like that. You all clearly don't know what you're dealing with, so just give me what I want and none of you have to die."
[OOC] Ernst: How did she get here without either of us noticing???
Gerald: "How in the fuck did she -"
[OOC] Ernst: We're like right here
[OOC] Gerald: invisibility I imagine
[OOC] Ernst: Should have thrown down an eye.
Zane smiles and starts walking over that way. "Xambria. So good to see you again."
Chandrasekhar: "The type for grand entrances, I see. I like your style. Are we speaking to Xambria, or…?"
[OOC] Garrett: is she like, within 15 feet of me haha
Gerald‘ makes his way over to the new hole in the skylight, aiming his shotgun down at Zambria from above. "Hey. This is what we refer to as a three dimensional pincer."
Ernst: "Do people actually call it that or did you just make that up?" He readies his own shotgun.
Gerald: "I don’t think it actually comes up very often so." A shrug.
Phyllis folds her arms, matching Xambria's stare, stating in Ancient tongue: "[Good evening. The curator might not, but some of us have a slightly better idea what we're dealing with.]"
Gerald‘ puts a hand over his mouth, whispering to Ernst, "(Not that our idea is honestly much better…)"
Xambria: "[Good for you. I brought friends.]"
Aleith|DM: And a Worm Maw flies through the wall, and several implanters clamber up onto the roof and drop through the skylight.
Phyllis glances back at Recklinghausen and Kindleton. "Doctors. I believe this is what Zane meant."
Aleith|DM: Battle Order: | 26:Implanters CD | 24:Xambria | 24:Worm Maw | 21:Implanters KL | 20:Garrett | 17:Implanters EF | 16:Ernst | 14:Gerald | 14:Implanters AB | 13:Zane | 12:Implanters IJ | 10:Phyllis | 10:Implanters GH | 9:Chandrasekhar |
Ernst: "… poor Stocke."
Ernst: "I just finished repairing you after all those fire traps too."
Aleith|DM: Implanter D, does in fact, go straight for Stocke.
Aleith|DM rolled d20+12 and got 16 ( Total: 28 )
Gerald: "Better him than a person, though!"
Aleith|DM: Dealing 8 damage and latching on to the robot.
Aleith|DM: Implanter C downs a bystander, however.
Aleith|DM: Bystanders, by the way, are difficult terrain.
Aleith|DM: Xambria gestures at the Blade of the Ancients, which breaks out of its case and starts floating beside her.
Aleith|DM: She then strikes out at Stocke with her pick. [Threatening Pick]
Aleith|DM rolled d20+15 and got 18 ( Total: 33 )
Aleith|DM rolled 2d8+9 and got 3, 4 ( Total: 16.0 ) for next enemy to attack the robot gets +2 to hit
Aleith|DM: 16 damage!
Ernst fires a [Energy Conversion] at Stocke! [-8 damage. +13 THP]
Aleith|DM rolled 2#d20+13(1) and got 20 ( Total: 33 ) for vs Fort, Ernst, Gerald
Also rolled 2#d20+13(2) and got 17 [Total: 30]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 63
There’s no indication she did anything, but suddenly you feel the world twist and throw you across the room, so you’re pretty sure she’s responsible. [Force Shove through Dual Minds, and again through AP]
Aleith|DM rolled 2d10+7 and got 2, 6 ( Total: 15.0 )
Gerald: "Wh -"
Aleith|DM: 15 damage to Gerald, 27 to Ernst! Both are slid 4 squares and immobilized UEoNT!
Aleith|DM: both of you make saves to prevent going through the other skylight
Ernst rolled d20 and got 13 ( Total: 13 )
Aleith|DM: You fall prone at the edge of the skylight
[OOC] Gerald: that is 4 though… oh I guess you’re aiming one below ok
Gerald‘ rolled d20 and got 15 ( Total: 15 )
Gerald: "SAFE!"
Aleith|DM: The Worm Maw floats through the wall beside Garret and attempts to grab him. [Grasping Tentacles]
Aleith|DM rolled d20+9 and got 10 ( Total: 19 ) for vs Ref
Aleith|DM: Missing!
Aleith|DM: Garrett!
Garrett` thinks really hard at the Worm Maw. [Thoughtform, Charisma - Fortitude]
Garrett` rolled 1d20+6 and got 10 ( Total: 16 ) for vs Fort
Aleith|DM: It’s still out-of-phase
Garrett‘ shifts over and swings at Implanter C. [Move - Shift] [Piercing Strike]
Garrett` rolled 1d20+14 and got 20 ( Total: 34 ) for vs Ref
Aleith|DM: Crit! KO!
Aleith|DM: Implanter F takes out another bystander.
Aleith|DM: E takes a stab at Hachi. [Attach]
Aleith|DM rolled d20+12 and got 12 ( Total: 24 ) for vs AC
Aleith|DM: Miss due to OP move
Aleith|DM: wait no
Aleith|DM: hit due to not-OP MOve
Gerald: "Uhhh hmm hey Rock can you shoot those two by the door on your way out? Thanks."
Aleith|DM: 8 damage and it latches on to Hachi [moves with you when you move]
Phyllis: "The creatures, not the civilians, just to be clear."
Aleith|DM: Battle Order: | 26:Implanters CD | 24:Xambria | 24:Worm Maw | 21:Implanters KL | 20:Garrett | 17:Implanters EF | 16:Ernst | 14:Gerald | 14:Implanters AB | 13:Zane | 12:Implanters IJ | 10:Phyllis | 10:Implanters GH | 9:Chandrasekhar | 5:Rock Rackus |
Aleith|DM: ah right he acts at init 5
Aleith|DM: bystanders act at 0 btw
Gerald: "Wow hit him where it hurts, Phyllis."
Rock: "Hey ma-ma’am, that ain't warrented!"
Aleith|DM: Ernst?
Ernst leans over the edge readying his shotgun. He aims at Stocke. "You did good little buddy. I'll give you a tuning later. Show them what they get for ignoring you." Stocke suddenly explodes with a burst of wind hitting all 6 implanters and Xambria. [Gale-Forced Infusion]
Ernst rolled 6#d20+10(1) and got 5 ( Total: 15.0 ) for vs reflex
Also rolled 6#d20+10(2) and got 2 [Total: 12.0 (Low), Avg: 2.00]
Also rolled 6#d20+10(3) and got 18 [Total: 28.0 (High), Avg: 18.00]
Also rolled 6#d20+10(4) and got 11 [Total: 21.0 (High), Avg: 11.00]
Also rolled 6#d20+10(5) and got 4 [Total: 14.0 (Low), Avg: 4.00]
Also rolled 6#d20+10(6) and got 20 [Total: 30.0 (High), Avg: 20.00]
Total: 120.0, Avg: 10.00
Ernst rolled d20+10 and got 7 ( Total: 17.0 ) for Xambria
Ernst rolled d10+7 and got 1 ( Total: 8.0 )
Ernst sends Xambria flying right into Chandra and kills the others that hit.
Aleith|DM: It's actually 7 implanters
[OOC] Ernst: Stocke gains +5 AC
Ernst rolled d20+10 and got 13 ( Total: 23.0 )
Chandrasekhar: "Holy sh-"
Garrett: "Thanks," he calls out after brushing some Implanter remnants off of hiself.
Ernst then heals himself with an infusion.
Zane nods to himself. It's always the quiet one.
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 8!] to Xambria!
Aleith|DM: Gerald?
Ernst: "Sorry for the lack of buffs. I figured that was more of a priority." He grins.
Aleith|DM: The blade, by the way, slid with Xambria, so it's still floating beside her
Gerald‘ leans his arm over the ledge a bit, taking aim at Xambia before pumping two shots into her. "Anyway, fuck you brainpire." [Biting Volley]
Gerald` rolled 2#d20+10(1) and got 2 ( Total: 12 ) for vs Ref
Also rolled 2#d20+10(2) and got 9 [Total: 19]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 31
Gerald` rolled 2#d20+10(1) and got 5 ( Total: 15 ) for vs Ref
Also rolled 2#d20+10(2) and got 8 [Total: 18]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 33
Aleith|DM: MIsses all around
[OOC] Gerald: are you kidding me
Gerald` then [AP]s into a [Two-Fanged Strike] jesus
Gerald` rolled 2#d20+10(1) and got 9 ( Total: 19 ) for vs AC
Also rolled 2#d20+10(2) and got 15 [Total: 25]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 44
Gerald` rolled 2#d20+10(1) and got 13 ( Total: 23 ) for vs AC
Also rolled 2#d20+10(2) and got 14 [Total: 24]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 47
Aleith|DM: 1 hit each!
Gerald` also uh actually quarried her before that since I just realized she is in fact in range for it.
Gerald` rolled 1d8+9 and got 7 ( Total: 16 )
Also rolled 1d8+9 and got 2 [Total: 11]
Also rolled 1d8+3 and got 6 [Total: 9]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 36
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 36!
Aleith|DM: Implanter A strikes at Garrett!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+12 and got 17 ( Total: 29 )
Aleith|DM: 8 more damage, and it latches on!
Aleith|DM: B then tries to Attach to Stocke in retaliation.
Aleith|DM rolled d20+14 and got 7 ( Total: 21 ) for +2 threatening pick
Aleith|DM: Missing!
[OOC] Ernst: 28 AC lol
Aleith|DM: well, yeah
Aleith|DM: Zane?
Zane: "Doctor if you would be so kind. Pardon me…" And he darts through the bystanders, slipping between Singh and Phyllis. He pulls a dagger from the small of his back like a battlefield magician and lunges at Xambria… [Hidden Stab]
Zane rolled d20+13 and got 16 ( Total: 29 ) for vs AC
Aleith|DM: Hit!
Zane uses the dagger as a feint, only a shallow cut, before his free hand latches onto the archaeologists throat.
Aleith|DM: damage?
Zane rolled 1d4 and got 3 ( Total: 3 ) for She now grants CA, and is -2 at her first escape attempt. And since she grants CA, I ignore insubstantial if she tries that shit to get away :D
Aleith|DM: You add your bonuses that aren’t Dex mod btw
Aleith|DM: so that's at least +2 from your ki focus
[OOC] Zane: Oh awesome, I thought it ignored everything since no bonus
Aleith|DM: Nah, other things affect weapon damage rolls
Aleith|DM: It's like Twin Strike
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 5!] unless it's higher than that
[OOC] Phyllis: nah you're thinking of the case where somethind doesn't have a die roll. It's more twin strike, less magic missile
Aleith|DM: Phyllis?
Zane rolled 1d8+2 and got 5 ( Total: 7.0 ) for just the +2 and Attack Finesse, since my bracers are only for basic attacks
Aleith|DM: oh right that too
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 7!] more!
Aleith|DM: Bloodied!
Xambria drops her weapon, falls to her knees, and tries to scream. She yanks and tears off one of her leather sleeves, revealing three human eyes poking out of her skin. All these eyes twitch and look in every direction, then stare straight back at Xambria. She reels in horror for a moment, then shakes her head.
Xambria: "That is bloody strange," she croaks out.
Gerald: "Yup."
She looks away from her mutated limb at the madness in the gala, as if seeing it for the first time. Then she looks to you and leans forward, desperate. "Don't—don't kill me! I'm fighting it back. I can stop it. But cuff me, just in case. Lock me up—lock me up somewhere it can't escape. I know things it knew, and that you need to know!"
Phyllis: " - hold on. Did you get control again, Xambria?"
Zane smiles grimly.
Xambria: "For-for now!"
Phyllis: "I take it that if we comply, the creatures won't exactly care."
Zane: "If your throat leaves my fist, you die."
Aleith|DM: She's not exactly attempting to resist.
Zane believes in warnings!
Aleith|DM: Phyllis? The other monsters aren't stopping just yet.
Phyllis: "We can ascertain if she's lying later."
Chandrasekhar: "She's telling the truth, but we ought to hurry."
Phyllis circles her way behind Chandra and compels the Worm Maw with a [Charm of the Defender]. With an [Emerald Eye] first.
Gerald: "So…"
Gerald: "Kill the worms and bug out?"
Phyllis rolled d20+13 and got 19 ( Total: 32.0 ) for vs Will, with +2 from Emerald Eye included already, effect on a miss.
Aleith|DM: Hit!
Garrett: "That's the idea!"
Gerald: "Can do!"
Phyllis slides the Worm Maw in between a few Implanters and Garrett. It's Immobilied UEoPNT and whenever an enemy (read: the implanters, but not Garrett) adjacent to it starts its turn, the Worm Maw makes an MBA with +2 to both hit and damage.
Phyllis can slide it that way since it's phasing.
Aleith|DM: Yep.
Aleith|DM: Chandrasekhar?
Chandrasekhar scoots in closer to the Maw and then thinks at it really hard.
Chandrasekhar rolled d20+0 and got 4 ( Total: 4 )
[OOC] Chandrasekhar: pretend I know what to add to this
Aleith|DM: It misses
Aleith|DM: it's like +7 or something
Aleith|DM rolled d20+12 and got 11 ( Total: 23 ) for OA from Implanter F
[OOC] Aleith|DM: Xambria does not OA
Aleith|DM: You brush the implanter away with your shield however.
Chandrasekhar slashes at the worm with a Righteous Smite.
Chandrasekhar rolled d20+10 and got 8 ( Total: 18 )
Chandrasekhar misses.
Aleith|DM: +2 from flanking
Aleith|DM: you hit
[OOC] Chandrasekhar: also that was supposed to be Valorous Smi- oh!
Aleith|DM: It can be valorous if you want
[OOC] Phyllis: Isn't he fla - ahah
Chandrasekhar rolled 2d8+6 and got 2, 7 ( Total: 15 )
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 7!
Aleith|DM: Rock rushes to the front of the crowd, taking out one of the implanters while trying to keep back the crowd from rushing out the entrance with Wolfgang's help.
Aleith|DM: Battle Order: | 24:Xambria | 24:Worm Maw | 21:Implanters K | 20:Garrett | 17:Implanter F | 16:Ernst | 14:Gerald | 14:Implanters AB | 13:Zane | 12:Implanters IJ | 10:Phyllis | 9:Chandrasekhar | 5:Rock Rackus |
Aleith|DM: Xambria cowers.
Aleith|DM: Ernst and Gerald can move again.
Aleith|DM: The worm maw smashes tentacles into Chandrasekhar, Garrett, and Stocke! [Smashing Tentacles]
Aleith|DM rolled 3#d20+9(1) and got 9 ( Total: 18 ) for vs fort
Also rolled 3#d20+9(2) and got 5 [Total: 14]
Also rolled 3#d20+9(3) and got 18 [Total: 27]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 59
Aleith|DM: Poor robot
Aleith|DM rolled d12+12 and got 3 ( Total: 15.0 )
Aleith|DM: 15 damage and shoved into the wall!
Aleith|DM: Chandrasekhar and Garrett evade.
Stocke starts to spark.
Aleith|DM: It then grabs at Garrett! [Grasping Tentacles]
Aleith|DM rolled d20+7 and got 9 ( Total: 16 ) for vs Ref, AP
Aleith|DM: Missing, and taking [3!] radiant damage.
Garrett‘ shifts this way and that despite being up against a wall.
Aleith|DM: IMplanter K goes after Rock
Aleith|DM rolled d20+12 and got 9 ( Total: 21 )
Aleith|DM: Latching onto him with 8! damage
Aleith|DM: Garrett?
Garrett` thinks hard at the maw! [Thoughtform, Charisma - Fortitude]
Garrett` rolled 1d20+6 and got 19 ( Total: 25 )
Garrett: "Got you now."
Aleith|DM: It’s solid!
Garrett‘ spins up and delivers a dancing strike at the maw! [Opening Move]
Garrett` rolled 1d20+16 and got 18 ( Total: 34 ) for vs AC
Garrett` rolled 2d4+10 and got 3, 3 ( Total: 16 ) for +5 AC/Ref UEoNT
Also rolled 2d6 and got 2, 5 [Total: 7]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 23
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 23!
Garrett` swipes across the base of the Maw! [Low Slash - Move into Minor]
Garrett` rolled 1d20+16 and got 3 ( Total: 19 ) for vs Ref
Aleith|DM: Hit!
Garrett` rolled 1d4+10 and got 4 ( Total: 14 )
Garrett` goes for a deep gash on the Maw! [AP, Bloodbath]
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 14!
Garrett` rolled 1d20+16 and got 15 ( Total: 31 ) for vs Fort
Aleith|DM: Hit!
Garrett` rolled 1d4+10 and got 2 ( Total: 12 ) for Slaying Action for 2nd SA, deals ongoing damage equal to SA damage (save ends)
Also rolled 2d6 and got 1, 4 [Total: 5]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 17
The Maw, compelled to protect the RHC in a sudden change of heart (or maybe it’s just indiscriminate in its instincts, who really knows), lashes out at Implanter F before it can do anything! [Charm of the Defender: MBA with +2/+2]
Aleith|DM rolled d20+11 and got 10 ( Total: 21 ) for vs ref
[OOC] Aleith|DM: KO!
Aleith|DM: Ernst?
Same goes for A when it attacks.
Er. Acts.
Ernst fires a [Magic Weapon] and then a [Burning Weapons] at the Worm Maw.
Aleith|DM: I know :(
[OOC] Ernst: AP
Ernst rolled 2#d20+14(1) and got 11 ( Total: 25.0 )
Also rolled 2#d20+14(2) and got 17 [Total: 31.0 (High), Avg: 17.00]
Also rolled 2#d20+14(1) and got 19 [Total: 33.0 (High), Avg: 19.00]
Also rolled 2#d20+14(2) and got 10 [Total: 24.0 (Low), Avg: 10.00]
Total: 113.0, Avg: 14.25
Aleith|DM: Hits!
Ernst rolled 2d8+7 and got 8, 5 ( Total: 20.0 )
Also rolled 2d8+11 and got 6, 1 [Total: 18.0 (Low), Avg: 3.50]
Total: 38.0, Avg: 5.00
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 17!] earlier, [38!] and bloodied now!
[OOC] Ernst: Gerald gets +1 to hit and +7 damage
[OOC] Ernst: Worm Maw gets -1 AC
Aleith|DM: Gerald?
Phyllis tilts her head. "I was expecting something … more. Hm."
Gerald‘ continues shooting things from dumb angles because D&D Is Complicated In Uninteresting Ways. Also the worm in my quarry now.
Aleith|DM: Sure.
Dicebot: Modifier Error: Unable to parse -8 in 2#d20-8
Gerald` rolled 2#d20+8(1) and got 16 ( Total: 24 )
Also rolled 2#d20+8(2) and got 8 [Total: 16]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 40
Gerald` rolled 2#d20+8(1) and got 17 ( Total: 25 )
Also rolled 2#d20+8(2) and got 12 [Total: 20]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 45
Aleith|DM: 1 Hit, 2 hits!
Gerald` rolled d8+13 and got 5 ( Total: 18 )
d8+13: 1 [Total: 14]
d8: 4 [Total: 4]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 36
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 36!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+11 and got 14 ( Total: 25 ) for vs Ref against Implanter A
Aleith|DM: A is KO’d!
Aleith|DM: That's…only monsters adjacent, right?
Aleith|DM: It has reach 3 sooo…
Aleith|DM: Implanter B tries to Attach to Chandrasekhar!
[OOC] Phyllis: Sadly yes.
Aleith|DM rolled d20+14 and got 9 ( Total: 23 ) for flanking
Aleith|DM: Just missing the eladrin!
Aleith|DM: Phyllis?
Chandrasekhar swats it away!
Phyllis scoots south, places her [Mage Hand] on Chandra, and centers a [Winged Horde] around him. Images of tiny fey sprites dart around the Maw and the Implanter, and -
Phyllis rolled 2#d20+13(1) and got 8 ( Total: 21.0 ) for vs will, maw, implanter
Also rolled 2#d20+13(2) and got 18 [Total: 31.0 (High), Avg: 18.00]
Total: 52.0, Avg: 13.00
Phyllis rolled d6+6 and got 6 ( Total: 12.0 ) for Psychic damage, and can't make OAs UEoPNT.
Chandrasekhar raises an eyebrow, amused.
[OOC] Aleith|DM: KO!] x2!
Garrett: "Isn't that profiling…?"
[OOC] Phyllis: Wow didn't realize the maw was that low
[OOC] Garrett: it was exactly 12
Aleith|DM: Alright, let's assume that you manage to take care of the other 3 implanters outside before the crowd gets too hasty on their way out.
Aleith|DM: Wolfgang comes back inside afterwards to look after the two injured bystanders.
Zane keeps watching Xambria intently. "If gold doesn't stop it, what does?" And yes, he's still holding her by the throat.
Gerald: "I vote big ass pit!"
Chandrasekhar: "Sufficiently thick walls, I'd imagine, but I'm not sure that helps us."
Ernst stretches before tossing an infusion at Gerald. "I'm going to go down and patch people up."
[OOC] Ernst: More than +15 so I don't give a shit
Aleith|DM: Wolfgang assists you, then. Your check is probably higher by this point.
Xambria: "I'm not sure…"
Gerald: "How long can it survive outside of a body?"
Ernst heads downstairs before shaking his head. "We should bring her to RHC headquarters before -another- incident happens."
Phyllis goes around, looking for Weber. "Any instructions, sir?"
Xambria: "As long as it can feed on thought, I think… Nearby ones even, not just…directly." She makes a gagging face at that remark.
Zane: "That's not getting you your throat back any faster, dear. I need to know how to stop it."
Weber: "No, no, thank you so much, constables. Security will make sure everyone's alright and see them out."
Weber: "We'll probably put the artifacts back into the safehold until we have the place cleaned back up again."
Garrett: "Do take care yourself, too."
Zane: "And mind the staff."
Gerald: "So no nearby thoughts."
Gerald: "Gunna stick with my vote of big ass pit."
Zane: "Great, we'll surround it with the nobility."
Weber: "…right. Gloves and a proper cleaning for that, I take it?"
Gerald: "Offcoast island works too."
Zane nods at Weber.
Chandrasekhar explosively snickers at Zane.
Gerald: "Not here, in any case."
Phyllis looks around for the haze. Did it … depart?
Aleith|DM: It's still on her
Ernst docks a healing surge off of himself and Chandra after healing Garrett for [+20]
Aleith|DM: Also still radiating large amounts of Apet energey, despite the lack of the Icon.
Gerald: "I'll uh go scout ahead and clear a path, I imagine we don't want people bumping into Zane while they're walking."
Gerald‘ does that.
Zane gives a small smile. Full of teeth. "Phyllis, I dont suppose you know any banishing rituals?"
[OOC] Chandrasekhar: Aleef can I target the haze with Vengeful Gaze of Etc.
Phyllis: "… I may need time."
Garrett: "I think we’ve got it, now."
Phyllis: "Or someone at HQ may be more specialized in such magic."
Zane: "Mm." He looks at Xambria. "No necklace. Is it trapped inside you now?"
Aleith|DM: Certainly. You basically have two choices for that when targetting Xambria. Xambria, or Sijhen. I'm assuming Sijhen?
Chandrasekhar closes his eyes, and when he opens them again, he's staring at Sijhen and his eyes are glowing golden.
Aleith|DM: You don't see the haze like Phyllis does, but you definitely saw her when she first 'dropped in'.
Phyllis: "At best, I can only think of tossing the interloper back into Apet and resealing it, but I'm unsure of how exactly to do that. … Plus I'm not sure I want to trek out to the ziggurat again just to find it's still flooded."
Xambria: "The thing-Sijhen? I, I think so. Please, just lock me up first. I'm afraid to try digging into it's memories until we're somewhere safer."
Garrett: "Can't we also just. Destroy it?"
Garrett: "Not you too dear, just the entity."
Zane: "I'd like to do that without killing Xambria in the process, yes. Especially considering how obliging she's being. I promise you all this is not as comfortable as it looks. For her."
Phyllis nods at Zane. "Also an option, but tricky to implement."
Garrett: "I'll take your word for it."
Ernst: "There's no harm changing venue to HQ at least. I think we've caused our 'good' friend a bit too much trouble with his gala tonight, mmmn?" The phrase good friend reeks of sarcasm.
Garrett: "Yeah, well, being the good guy isn't always easy, unless you're Gerald."
Phyllis: "Heh."
Phyllis: "Speaking of. Gerald, cuff her. Them."
Zane: "All things considered, Ernst, it could have gone much, much worse. Good thinking with Stocke, by the way. I'm putting how impressed I was in the report later."
Ernst: "No worries. Now that we are no longer being audited I don't need to second guess everything I'm doing."
Gerald‘ is out clearing a path through the streets so Zane can start moving towards HQ wwithout bumping into anyone with a knife on Xambia throat. That would be terrible.
Aleith|DM: You can take a carriage, it’s almost an hour trip to get back from the North Shore.
[OOC] Garrett: carriage yes.
Gerald‘ still wants a clear path to the carriage!!
Aleith|DM: Okay, yeah.
Zane has both the knife and the Xambria under perfect control, thank you.
Aleith|DM: I bet you do.
Zane eyebrow waggles.
Aleith|DM: The trip back is without incident. Sijhen is still in Xambria’s body the entire trip back to HQ.
Phyllis: "Is there still someone or something we should be on the lookout for?"
Xambria: "Not that I know of, no. He's been working alone this entire time. Although he seems to have gotten pretty good with portals the past month…"
Chandrasekhar: "Not surprising, considering."
Phyllis: "There's one other person they at least tried to find, but didn't. Should I send them a message from afar to ensure they can get to safety?"
Phyllis glances over to Garrett.
Garrett: "Let's… see what it knows first."
Garrett: "I mean, yes, we'll do that at some point, but-"
Garrett: "It doesn't have to be done as soon as strictly possible."
Phyllis: "True."
Aleith|DM: Alright, you're back at HQ. Where are you heading with her? One of the anti-magic cells, interrogation room, or…?
Gerald: "Everyone that's not some kinda wizard looking to help with an exorcism or something, clear out, got a brain eating monster comin' through that steals bodies!" Gerald shouts, after opening the door to HQ.
Chandrasekhar: "I dare say that might edge out the dramatic entrance via skylight from earlier."
Ernst glances at Gerald. "I suppose that's a precaution we should probably take. I'll go get delft and let him know we're back." He wanders off.
Aleith|DM: One might think there'd be less people here after 9 PM, but a lot of people work late into the night.
Gerald: "I reckon you get a lot less excuses to use mine than the broken skylight one."
Zane: "Warded cells."
Delft: "What is it, Mr. Gohins? Back already from the Gala?"
Gerald: "Seriously though we could probably use some help on this one, weird bodyjacking thing from Apet, which can phase!"
Ernst: "We have Xambria with us. Sijhen presumably still with her. We're about to get some answers to the most fucked up case of your career. Interested?"
Chandrasekhar is keeping the golden stare on; the -second- that thing tries to bodyjump to someone else, he'll know.
Phyllis briefly heads over to requisitions, possibly to ask for a ritual caster if one just happens to be on-hand. As for what, she … doesn't know yet. There might not be anything.
Delft: "I don't know about 'most interesting', but it's definitely ranking up there. Sure."
Zane leads Xambria to one of the anti-magic cells, his hand not leaving her throat until she is inside and the door is locked.
Aleith|DM: And once that's done, she starts massaging her throat and taking some deep breaths.
Garrett‘ pulls up some chairs.
Zane likewise starts massaging the cramps out of his fingers. That grip is *not* intended for prolonged use.
Aleith|DM: You can get a level 6 ritual caster at the moment who knows various rituals, but might not be much more than Phyllis. You’d need a bit more notice for something higher level. Or maybe a DC 24 Diplomacy/Intimidate for a level 10 caster.
Zane: "Alright, while Phyllis looks to see if there's some way to banish Sijhen, lets palaver."
Aleith|DM: Some of your coworkers are looking at you a bit funny, Gerald, but most just kind of shrug it off and go back to their work.
Garrett: "The carriage already stopped, though."
Chandrasekhar sits in a chair, the calm expression on his face somewhat offsetting the unsettling golden fire in his eyes. "You're safe here, for the moment, Xambria. Tell us everything you can." [Diplomacy]
Chandrasekhar rolled d20+12 and got 12 ( Total: 24 )
Ernst comes down with Delft.
Gerald: "Alright but you've all been warned, you get bodyjacked - you get shot!"
Gerald‘ then heads down with the others.
Delft: "Gerald, what are you going on about?"
Gerald: "The brainpire we have down in the warded rooms!"
Delft: "Are you suggesting a general evacuation?"
Gerald: "That seems like the smart play, doesn’t it?"
Gerald: "Especially since it can feed on nearby thoughts."
Delft: "With everything that's been happening? Yeah, that's not a bad idea."
Garrett: "Before you send everyone off for the night though-"
Garrett: "Snag us a robe-wearin' ritualist?"
Aleith|DM: He starts going around telling folks to ship out if they've got nothing critical to do tonight.
Garrett: "We can shut the case on the braineating killer tonight if we have some extra help."
Delft: "Sure. I'll see what I can do."
Aleith|DM: Several minutes later, Delft comes back down with you to the western side of the basement.
[OOC] Zane: "Techncially we dont need the help, I just dont want to kill a useful witness…"
Delft: "Alright, most of the folks went home. There's a few people burning the midnight oil, plus the guards, but the secretaries and most of the others are packing up."
Aleith|DM: And once that's done, Xambria sits up on the edge of the bed in the cell, and starts talking.
Xambria: "So forgive me if this comes out a little non-chronolinearly; I think I've gone several shades of crazy. Getting everything out is more important than getting it clear. You might want to write some of this gibberish down."
Phyllis pauses outside the door to the basement for a few minutes, at least casting Detect Lies before walking in.
Phyllis: Discern Lies.
Xambria: "The thing in my head, its name is Sijhen. It's a Gidim. They're some sort of race from another world, and it was trapped behind the ziggurat's seal for thousands of years. Real lookers, from its memories."
Xambria: "Do you know what brain tastes like? I'm not a fan. Imagine being brought by a friend you don't really like to the same restaurant that only serves—you know, never mind, you don’t want to know. Never with my own mouth, thank you, though."
Xambria: "It got out, got into me, made me forget. I'm still not sure what I don’t remember, but it definitely was interested in the Obscurati. It only figured that name out later, after it ate old Mr. Bergeron's brain."
Xambria: "You lot, you stopped Macbannin. He was with Bergeron. There are these cells, keep them all secret from each other. Only a few people at the top know how it all fits together, and Caius wasn't at the top. But the Obscurati—that's a long name. The Ob. Sounds less ominous. Ob."
Xambria: "So the Ob, they want to find out all about the Ancients and these seals. Caius was paying for us to do that for them. He reported up. I think he had a spell put on him to keep anyone from finding out who 'up' was from him."
Xambria: "Oh, and he’s going to ride the train. Sijhen didn't care about that, because it's months from now, but I think it's important. Whoever is 'up' will be there."
Xambria: "Sijhen kept opening these portals, but it could never go through. Something stopped it. Portals instead of trains, hmph. He’s just like Catherine Romana. Even a madwoman can read the papers, you know.”
Sounds of commotion come faintly from the other end of the jail, beyond the common prisoner cells.
Xambria: "Damn. There was something else I just remembered that was important, but it's fighting. It made me forget. Your boss! Your boss, Saxby has something it wants. Saxby wasn't up, wasn’t down, but was sideways. She worked for Macbannin. You probably ought to deal with that.”
Phyllis bristles a little. She takes after Catherine in that regard…
Phyllis: "She what."
Aleith|DM: Delft frowns. "Really…."
Chandrasekhar finger guns at Ernst.
The commotion grows louder, and then follows a scream from some dying prisoner.
Xambria: "Oh, I got it! Sijhen doesn’t care about the train because it plans to leave, and bring an invasion back. It planned to get captured, and I’m not really in control. Oh, bloody—"
A sudden wave of extraplanar energy washes over you, pouring out of the stone walls to the south. You stagger at the sudden sense of dislocation, and as you struggle to regain your senses, every inanimate object around you not carried or worn turns impossibly translucent. You can see through stone, down to the sewer, out to the under-construction subrail tunnel, sideways to the band of black-clad murderers sneaking into the basement, up to the ground floor and all your equally confused coworkers.
And then the world turns transparent, nothing but contour lines and faded textures. The sight is too much for your mind to grasp, and vertigo drops you to your knees. But you do see one thing clearly. Xambria stands, jumps into the ceiling, digs fingers into invisible handholds, and pulls herself up through solid stone to the ground floor.
Your vertigo passes, and the world has started to darken back to translucence, and further still to solidity. But you can feel another wave coming, and for a moment, when everything was transparent, you saw monsters flying through the building above.
Zane bares his teeth. "You can't really be suprised by that."
Ernst: "Fucking told you she was corrupt."
Garrett: "That's why we're pushing you to the top, ugh…" He runs his hands through his hair as he orients himself.
Chandrasekhar: "-shit- fucking- damn it!" He scrambles to his feet.
Zane raises to his feet. "That's two."
Ernst: "It's likely heading for Saxby's office right now."
Gerald: "Yup she's officially too much effort to save."
Ernst: "Saxby has something they need, we should probably haul it for that at least."

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