Zg Session 53

Around 1AM, Spring 13
Aleith|DM: Your mechanical carriage pulls up to in front of the Hotel Aurum after you made your way down Cauldron Hill. The guards let you in straightaway, and King Aodhan has convened to the ground floor lobby for the emergency meeting.
Zane nods politely. "Your Majesty. This is, quite literally, bigger than we can handle."
Garrett: "The situation has escalated. Really, it's more like 'climbed.'"
Aodhan: "Looks like your guess on the Ob's construction problem was correct, after all."
[OOC] Aleith|DM: construction project*
Gerald: "Yeep."
Phyllis: "I wonder for what purpose, exactly."
Zane: "Regrettably. It's uh. Taller than anticipated? Well, taller than *I* anticipated, at any rate."
Ernst: "I was expecting 100 feet, tops."
Phyllis: "It's about the scale I expected, honestly."
Aodhan: "Parity Lake district is being evacuated. Neighbouring districts are panicking, leading to looting and causing problems for the police."
Phyllis: "But that is honestly the least of my concerns."
Aodhan: "Many commercial ships are fleeing the harbour, as you can guess."
Aodhan: "Which is making it hard for the naval fleet to get back into the harbour."
Aodhan: "We've got only a handful in the harbour at the moment, and about twenty first-rate ships stuck out at sea."
Gerald: "Less than ideal."
Lee: "We've got a plan to deal with the colossus threat. However, it is highly dangerous."
Phyllis nods at Chandra.
Gerald: "Probably less dangerous than not dealing with it."
Chandrasekhar: "Do we have any idea what its… goals are? Where it's going?"
Garrett: "Considering the golem is 'extremely dangerous'…"
Phyllis: "Its hopes, its dreams?"
Aodhan: "Using the power invested as me as part of the Rites of Rulership, I can use a magical ritual to banish the colossus into the Dreaming."
Garrett: "Please, we're trying to Save the Country, not one automaton."
Phyllis: "… how's the Unseen Court going to see that?"
Zane looks at the king. Looks at Singh. "Am… I allowed to laugh?"
Chandrasekhar: "It's within his rights." He smiles.
Aodhan: "While the exact ramifications are as yet unknown, it's probably our only option capable of saving Flint. Unless you have any brilliant ideas."
Zane starts cackling. "No. Oh my god no, please, lets do that."
Chandrasekhar: "Besides, the Dreaming's got more than enough room for an overgrown nightmare."
Gerald: "Uh nothing in the short term. Ernst said it'd take a while to get that bomb back in working order."
Garrett‘ nods to Harkover Lee. "You weren’t kidding when you said 'dangerous.'"
Phyllis: "Petition a Titan to come to our aid? The Voice of Rot's only a Sending away."
Chandrasekhar: "There are things lurking there that…" He smiles, dangerously, at Zane. "…well."
Ernst nods to Gerald. "I doubt climbing on to and going inside the thing would be wise either. So this is likely the best option."
Phyllis: "Though you know the politics there better than I do, I'm sure, Your Majesty."
Aodhan: "Worse, I'll need thirty minutes of unimpeded casting time to perform the ritual. And I have to be within sight and five hundred feet of the colossus."
Zane grins at Singh. "No offense, but I win either way."
Garrett: "So this is definitely not happening on foot."
Zane: "Well… we do have a ship…"
Aodhan: "The colossus will likely sense the threat that poses to it, and it won't be safe for the city. So, we want to lessen the colossus's advantage by bringing it out into the harbour, where we hope a small fleet of ships can confuse and outmanoeuvre it."
Aodhan: "Thankfully, the R.N.S. Coaltongue is docked in the harbour right now."
Garrett‘ ’s eyes dart about, the cogs in his head turning.
Garrett: "That… can probably be done…"
Zane: "Oh. That's… Hm."
Aodhan: "The main decision I have to make is if we want to draw it down to the harbour via the Stanfield Canal, which means less destruction to Flint aside from the canal's bridges…"
Aodhan: "…or drawing it to the waters north of the city, near the Ayres, where the main fleet can engage it, but would wreck at least a mile of the city."
Zane: "How clear of civilians is that mile?"
Aodhan: "Unclear. The evacuation is underway, and we can't necessarily expect it to go down a straight path like the canal."
Phyllis: "Mm. A city does make for a poor battleground. That is … probably best."
Chandrasekhar: "Bridges can be rebuilt."
Phyllis: "… I am beginning to see the potential use for a lighthouse-shaped apparatus that can transport targets not only to the Dreaming, but to other planes."
Phyllis: "Nem would probably be a better choice. And a sort of poetic justice."
Zane thinks. "Well, I'm already in the shit for property damage so… in for a pound, I guess. My strategic recommendation is to pull it through the city so the fleet can engage it, it gives us a better chance at getting the ritual done."
Phyllis: "What can it do to the Dreaming after it's there?"
Garrett: "The canal doesn't look all that good anyway, and even though this is an amazing thing to be thinking about considering what's happening right now- it'd look pretty shabby if the rest of Danorian representivies showed up and we were down a mile of city."
Chandrasekhar: "Lives, on the other hand, cannot."
Garrett‘ nods. "’Threading the needle' here is my recommendation."
Phyllis: "Likewise. Lives over livelihoods."
Lee: "The colossus doesn't seem to be able communicate, at least not that has been seen so far. It does respond with curiosity to unusual sights and sounds, however.
Phyllis: "… he says, to the illusionist."
Chandrasekhar: "Sounds like it could be lured along, then."
Garrett‘ turns to Ernst. "Can we hook up Stocke to the Coaltongue…?"
Phyllis grins and starts preparing Battlefield Elocution. Not for herself, but for Stocke.
Lee: "By-and-large it seems pretty impervious to firearms. Observation by telescope suggests its skin is adamantite."
Ernst glances at Garrett. "I… suppose?"
Chandrasekhar chuckles.
Zane almost chokes. "… Adamantite?"
Chief Delft speaks up. "I was thinking of using some of the spare fireworks from the New Year’s festival to get its attention, actually."
Garrett: "That… is no small amount of adamantite."
Lee: "No small undertaking, this."
Phyllis: "They did have Quital's powers to assist in construction."
Phyllis: "Still, obtaining it must have been…"
Chandrasekhar: "Deep pockets mean long paper trails. That'll be fun."
Gerald: "On the bright side, it's super unlikely they'll ever be able to make a second one."
Garrett‘ clears his throat. "Don’t know if we'd be up for round 2."
Aodhan: "Alright. We'll head for the harbour then. Delft, you'll coordinate the evacuations with Governer Stanfield and setup the plan to draw the colossus through the canal."
Phyllis: "You've no need for our assistance then? Or is it more of a 'more couldn't hurt' kind of situation?"
Phyllis: "With regards to the lure, at least. I'm guessing we're to help man the ship."
Aleith|DM: He leads you down to the carriages outside. "We'd appreciate your assistance with this. Either aboard the Coaltongue, or aboard your own ship…"
Lee: "The Roscommon, sire."
Aodhan: "Yes. The choice is up to you."
Gerald: "Yeeeeah not feelin' 'sail up to a giant automaton in a wood sailboat', personally."
Phyllis: "The Coaltongue … pretty much beats the Roscommon on all counts, yes? Unless jaunting is going to be that much more useful in this situation."
Aodhan: "Alright. You can report to Captain Moreno and see where you can help."
Chandrasekhar: "I will admit to this thin edge case wherein the Coaltongue outshines the Roscommon."
Garrett‘ chuckles. "Not that the Roscommon isn’t a beaut, but I'm sorely wondering if the colossus has a ranged series of attacks that it simply hasn't employed yet."
Garrett: "The Coaltongue might us an edge in defenses, which is about all I can hope for."
Lee: "Not that we've seen, but we're prepared for the worst. At this point, evasion is the best defence."
Dark clouds form ahead, and it begins to lightly rain during the trip from the Hotel Aurum to the royal docks.
Zane nods. "Jaunting would be useful. The Coaltongue is more heavily armed and armored. Hard to say what's more important with the little we know."
When you arrive, you see amassed a dozen Risuri warships - a mix of sail and steam, most of them sixth-rate or smaller, as well as the RHC's ships like the R.N.S. Impossible. The flags fly high, but the crews seem nervous.
Zane: "… Where's the rest of the crews?"
Zane rubs his temples.
Minister Lee frowns. "Shore leave, probably."
Zane: "You know… Some things are worth leaving that last lapdance a little early."
Zane: "I think this qualifies."
Zane mutters uncomplimentary things in his native tongue.
Aodhan: "Likely all they've managed to scrape together at the moment."
Aleith|DM: Also present, surprisingly, is a Danoran warship, the Freux Rouge. The loud shouts of a woman with a heavy Danoran accent ring through the nearly abandoned docks.
Gerald: "Eh can't really blame 'em too much. I don't think we have a lot of prodacles in place for what to do in case of man made titan assault."
Danoran: "You need some help with that overgrown golem?!"
Aleith|DM: A contingent of Flint marines prevents the captain shouting from disembarking.
Garrett: "I don't think we can say yes but we a'int sayin' no!"
Zane: "Just keep it walking in circles for us. And for love of all the tiny gods DONT LET IT HIT YOU."
Aleith|DM: The king waves for the marines to stand down. "If you wish to help, we'd greatly appreciate it! You'll be doing your nation a fine service!"
Zane pauses. "Now how the hell do I take an ear before it gets banished…"
Aleith|DM: The woman nods. "Captain Rosalyn Taylor of the Freux Rouge, reporting for duty!"
Garrett: "A chisel and hammer might still work."
Aleith|DM: As you get closer to the docks, several transport vessels remain moored in the harbour. Hundreds of people shout and surge nervously, stranded after their ships fled the harbor. Thames Grimsley stands atop a warehouse nearby, trying to get the crowd's attention to calm them down.
Phyllis: "Should we see what's going on there? It - seems like not everyone evacuated, right?"
Zane: "Your majesty, if I might make a… recommendation?"
Aodhan: "Yes, Mr. Biento?"
Zane nods at the crowd. "We have quite a few more-than-capable sailors over there. And while I respect your absolute authority, it might be a wise idea to ask them to assist, rather than simply pressganging them."
Aodhan: "Hmmm. That could work. Would one of you like to try speaking with them? Some sort of speech, maybe?"
[OOC] Aleith|DM: yes this will be a Diplomacy check
[OOC] Aleith|DM: With a +4 bonus due to Flint fame
[OOC] Zane: I'm out, I just spoke up AGAINST pressgangs and all I have is Intimidate…
Phyllis glances between Chandra and Garrett. She -could- but it'd feel - dishonest.
Gerald‘ shrugs towards Phyllis and Chandra.
Garrett: "Second-" He slinks across the talks with far too much grace and disturbing far too little water, and with a simple hop he seems to glide up a wall, coming to rest next to Thames.
Zane: "I just hate to waste resources, and short-crewed ships will make sitting ducks for this thing."
Garrett: "Fellow countrymen, the blood and muscle of Flint, heed the call of tonight, the Witchtouched Colossus-"
Garrett: "The Cauldron spills over, and a mechanization of unparalleled size has spilled forth-"
Garrett: "But Flint is borne of steel and flows with each beat of its citizens’ hearts-"
Garrett: "The fear of gods is what this automaton inspires, but risur has long such dealt with the beyond!"
Garrett: "No body, mind, or soul knows its waters, strengths, and peaks as its citizens do!"
Chandrasekhar whispered Garrett a few pointers or turns of phrase before he slipped off. [Diplomacy assist]
Garrett: "With ships still moored, our anchors dropped, the Colossus threatens, but we move to lure it to an otherworldly demise!"
Garrett: "We won't turn away those willing to help, nor shun those who wish to flee!"
Garrett: "But I implore you all- move!"
Phyllis: "If you feel it's within your power, and if it resonates with your sense of righteousness and justice - please."
Garrett: "Moving, progress, has been the guiding force of all of Flint!"
Garrett: "Take sail!"
[OOC] Phyllis: Suggestion] [Diplomacy Assist
Garrett: "Move!"
Garrett‘ rolled 1d20+23 and got 8 ( Total: 31 ) for diplomacy
Aleith|DM: The crowd cheers, and Thames Grimsley pats you on the back as he climbs down and starts leading the dockers down to the transports to head for the ships.
[OOC] Aleith|DM: The ships will be fully staffed, meaning full Command checks and no -5 penalty due to understaffing.
Garrett` walks down the side of the warehouse with the help of a few oddly out of place bricks, and jogs back to the moving group.
Aleith|DM: You can hear fireworks going off to the east, slowly getting closer.
Zane grins and slaps Garret on the shoulder. "They’d have lynched me for burning the theater. Well done."
Phyllis nods at Garrett. "Well said. You have a way with words that's more - natural than mine."
Garrett‘ grins. "(I borrowed some of the lines from a play-in-production. Our secret.)"
Zane: "(I know nothing.)"
Aleith|DM: Afterwards, you head to the Coaltongue. Upon boarding it, another setback reveals itself: the aged Captain Moreno suffered a heart attack upon seeing the colossus.
Gerald: "Hahahahaha."
Ernst: "… well then."
Gerald: "Hah. Wow are you fucking kidding me."
Zane runs a hand over his head. "Well. OK then."
Garrett` gives a held salute for the man, lowers it, and then goes: "(Remind me to ask his spirit how it feels about that.)"
Ernst shakes his head. "I’m going to quickly check out the engine before we take off." He then goes to do just that.
Garrett: "Then I guess someone else got promoted or we'll just have to play it by ear!" He hops up on deck!
Gerald: "Not it on being the people that tells the crew we're takin' over." Gerald then slinks off to go find some place high to climb up.
Zane: "On it."
Chandrasekhar frowns, salutes. A loss for Risur, and… quite a loss for this precise moment in time. "Where's his second-in-command?"
Aleith|DM: His first officer comes forward. "Reporting for duty, sir." He looks to the king.
Aodhan: "You can have the first officer command if you like, or one of you take command and he'll relay the orders."
Garrett: "So [Captain] and [Bosun]…"
Zane shrugs. "Hey we saved this bucket once, only fair we get to wreck it."
Zane: "Singh you're the prettiest, you're the captain. Garret, you want the guns or the 'yell at everybody'?"
Chandrasekhar takes a step forward. "This is our fight, and not a battle anyone was prepared to fight. I'll take responsibility for the ship."
Garrett: "I'm pretty good at the yellin', I'd say."
Garrett: "I'll let you at the heavy ordinance."
Zane: "Sounds good. Ernst and Gerald already know the drill, it looks like. Phyllis, I need you to make sure our fate is not to get punched in the everywhere by that thing."
Phyllis: "As the stars guide us."
Aleith|DM: The crew show you how you use the turrets, and any spellcasters how to make use of the ship's capacitator.
Phyllis: "Metaphorically, in this case, but you get the idea."
Zane: "Yup."
King Aodhan reminds everyone that he needs thirty minutes to complete the ritual that will banish the Colossus into the Dreaming, and he needs to stay within five hundred feet. (The Coaltongue must stay in either the same naval stage or an adjacent one for six consecutive naval rounds.)
He also states that he’ll be particularly vulnerable during this period, so you will need to protect him if anything tries to board the ship or harm him.
Zane: "That we can certainly do."
By the time the fleet is ready, the colossus is dangerously close to the
Aleith|DM: end of the canal. The king gives the order to launch.
As the Coaltongue comes out to into the bay, it is hailed with a resounding salvo of cannon fire. The cannonballs land harmlessly in the waters in front of the Bosum Strand docks, but the resulting 'boom' sound can be heard from most corners of the city. Borne immediately reacts to this by turning towards the distant fleet and standing to his full height.
From here, the fleet begins launching another barrage along with an impressive pyrotechnical display of magic. The result looks like brilliant fireworks crackling up in the sky during the ongoing downpour of rain. This display is enough to fully captivate Borne, and the colossus begins slowly walking towards the assembled fleet, stepping into water first as deep as its knees, then its waist.
Chandrasekhar: "(Hey, there.)" Chandrasekhar manages not to shiver in visceral disgust. He's the captain, he can't do things like that!
Garrett: "Hell, here goes nothin'."
Aleith|DM: Alright. You have 14 ships total in the allied fleet including the Coaltongue and the Freux Rouge.
Aleith|DM: You want to stay in the same stage as the Colossus for the king's ritual.
Aleith|DM: Unless otherwise specified, all the ships other than the Coaltongue will stay in adjacent stages.
Aleith|DM: You can signal for them to come in closer in order to distract the colossus and protect the king, but the main risk is how choppy the water beside the colossus is.
Zane takes a deep breath. "Nothin' to it."
[OOC] Garrett: ehh let's save the distraction for when things come down to the wire
Aleith|DM: There's 4 huge ships and 8 large ships. Each naval round you can call in as many ships as you want into the same stage as the colossus, and if they succeed at a Command check (DC 20) they provide a +2 defence bonus to the Coaltongue
Aleith|DM: Additionally, each large ship provides a +1 bonus to your attack roll to fire on the colossus, and each huge ship provides +2.
Aleith|DM: The Freux Rouge will be leading the attack from long range with a -5 penalty, but the bonus from all the ships that are at adjacent stages.
Aleith|DM: Each strike against the Colossus will reduce Borne's speed by 1, meaning you could potentially immobilize it.
Aleith|DM: Alright. Round one, manoeuvre phase!
Gerald‘ lookin’ out, which means he does the perception check for Init I think?
Aleith|DM: The colossus reaches out and grabs one of the Risuri warships, the Avalanche. Simple curiosity causes it to lift the hundred foot ship halfway out of the water, which snaps the wooden vessel in half in a stunning display of tossed bodies, exploding ammunition stores, and splintered wood.
Aleith|DM: ** The king curses and yells to keep the thing’s attention. Then he begins his ritual. A verdant green swoosh of magic energy reaches out from the monarch to Borne. With the connection established, the colossus takes note of the Coaltongue and aggressively attacks.
Chandrasekhar: "Goddess…"
Zane: "Gods damn it." And he starts a crew loading the cannons.
Aleith|DM: Gerald, roll a Perception Check!
Gerald‘ rolled d20+15 and got 3 ( Total: 18 )
Gerald: "So… don’t let it grab stuff. Okay."
Aleith|DM: The colossus is going for Steady Aim! [-5 defence, +2 attack rolls]
Phyllis: "… and we need to be how close for the ritual again?"
Aleith|DM: Same stage
Chandrasekhar: "We want to keep this distance, ideally."
Phyllis: It was rhetorical!
Gerald: "Nearly within arm's reach!"
Chandrasekhar: "Any closer, and he might get ideas. No pressure, old friend!" He smiles.
Aleith|DM: Any manoeuvres for the Coaltongue?
Chandrasekhar barks out some Evasive Maneuvers!
[-5 attack, +2 Defense]
Ernst tosses in some extra juice since they haven't been attacked yet. [Give Her All She's Got - DC 10 - +1 Manoeuvrability/Speed per 10 you pass this by.]
Ernst rolled d20+11 and got 3 ( Total: 14.0 )
Aleith|DM: Which one?
[OOC] Ernst: Uhhhhhh
[OOC] Zane: maneuverability, speed isnt that great since we need to stay close anyway
[OOC] Ernst: There we go.
Aleith|DM: Alright. Location phase!
[OOC] Phyllis: isn't speed for who goes first in the location phase though?
Aleith|DM: Command check of +15 adding Speed rating of 18 for +33 total!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+16 and got 3 ( Total: 19 ) for Colossus Command Check is +5, half speed in waist-deep water for +11
[OOC] Phyllis: so do i further add +6 to that and roll d20+39 or
Aleith|DM: yes
Phyllis rolled d20+39 and got 4 ( Total: 43.0 )
Aleith|DM: Alright. What option for the Location phase are you choosing?
Aleith|DM: Approach Enemy (move to close, both ships get +5 to attack rolls)
[OOC] Phyllis: We wanna be in the same stage, not just adjacent, right?
Aleith|DM: Block Enemy (prevent colossus from leaving this stage)
Aleith|DM: yes
Aleith|DM: Drive Enemy (Force the colossus to move to location of choice, or get it to Hold Position with -5 in bearing phase)
Phyllis: Drive enemy sounds good. Have it hold position so we can outmaneuver it later.
Borne chooses to Hold Position.
Aleith|DM: Terrain phase!
Phyllis: "We'll pursue, but try and move to its flank, out of its sight and arms."
Garrett: "Get some [combat advantage?] Yeah, sounds good."
Aleith|DM: There's heavy chop, but the Coaltongue is big enough to weather it. [DC 25 vs +25]
[OOC] Garrett: can probably straight roll thsi one
Aleith|DM: It's fine it doesn't fail
Aleith|DM: and I meant DC 20 anyway
Aleith|DM: that's more for allied ships
Aleith|DM: Bearing phase!
Aleith|DM: Command +15 and add Maneuverability 8 for +23! Along with Garret's Bosun bonus!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+17 and got 17 ( Total: 34 ) for Borne
Garrett: "Turn about! Full cogs a-spin! Push that brass!" He has no idea how this ship works.
But, like, it's inspiring.
Aleith|DM: Sure.
Aleith|DM: +5
Garrett‘ rolled 1d20+28 and got 15 ( Total: 43 )
Aleith|DM: Sucess! [Win by 5 to 9]
Aleith|DM: You can point your broadside at their bow or broadside. Or you can point your bow or stern at any edge of their ship.
[OOC] Aleith|DM: -their ship +the colossus
[OOC] Garrett: pointing our bow right at its back
Aleith|DM: Okay!
Aleith|DM: Attack phase!
Garrett: "Full on shot from the rear! Give ’im an itch he'll beg to scratch!"
[OOC] Phyllis: So hey. Can I 'Make It So' for the Freux Rouge? Or am I too preoccupied to spend a Standard action in this?
[OOC] Phyllis: oh wait no
[OOC] Phyllis: i can save it to make borne miss
[OOC] Phyllis: :D
Aleith|DM: oh dear
Aleith|DM: The Freux Rougedirects the attack from afar!
Zane: "Acid shot! And pray its not all adamantite…"
Aleith|DM rolled d20+34 and got 12 ( Total: 46 ) for 23 base, -5 for range, +16 from allied ships
Chandrasekhar: "It's probably all adamantite, except for the one heat vent you'd need to trick-shot-"
Chandrasekhar: "-I shouldn't give Gerald ideas."
Zane smiles. "Gerald nothing. I had an entire semester devoted to siege warfare."
Gerald: "CANNONS ARE SHIT AT FINE AIMING."
Garrett: "Shots fired."
Chandrasekhar: "I BELIEVE IN YOU, GERALD."
Aleith|DM rolled d20+27 and got 2 ( Total: 29 ) for Colossus
Gerald: "Incoming!"
Aleith|DM: The colossus can't reach the Coaltongue! When you manage to maneuver out of its grasp it growls, then glares at one of the large ships. A cascade of glowing spirits fly from its eyes and the air fills with the stench of burnt engine grease. The spirits sweep across the ship’s deck, and when they vanish a moment later everyone aboard lies dead. [Half the crew dies, -5 to command checks]
Garrett: "Holy fuck, no."
Garrett‘ keeps his composure, but god -damn- does his head hurt.
Zane has his crew aim at the colossus’ face. "Lets maybe not do that again…"
Gerald: "Agreed."
Aleith|DM: The allied ships deal 3 strikes worth of damage!
Chandrasekhar opens his mouth to say something and just closes it again. Damn them…
Zane rolled d20+26 and got 10 ( Total: 36 ) for 25+6 -5 from evasive maneuvers
[OOC] Zane: and that's [Decipher Technique] triggered >:D
[OOC] Aleith|DM: Make that four strikes
Aleith|DM: And 2 strikes dealt by the Coaltongue!
[OOC] Zane: Effect: Choose an enemy you can see that either you have hit or that has hit you. You become aware of its defenses, traits, and powers. (Generally, unless there is secret information in its statblock, the GM should allow you to see the enemy’s statblock.)
Zane peers. "Jesus christ, there's things in the water around it…"
Garrett: "'Things'?"
Chandrasekhar: "What… what sort of…."
Zane: "That's about as precise as I can get. Witchoil isn't kind to the surrounding fauna."
Aleith|DM: Naval round 2!
Aleith|DM: Manoeuvre!
Zane: "Try to stay behind it, it's got a real blindspot."
[OOC] Chandrasekhar: still Evasive, then?
Garrett‘ sighs. "Yeah, I think I’m okay with the Dreaming having to deal with this guy, instead…"
[OOC] Zane: definitely evasive, oh my god this thing sucks
Gerald‘ rolled d20+15 and got 14 ( Total: 29 )
Chandrasekhar: "Stay focused, everyone! We only have to outlast this monster!" [Evasive Manoiuefjeuevbcvebv]
Aleith|DM: The colossus chooses Full Speed Ahead! [-5 to Bearing, +2 to Location]
Aleith|DM: Location!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+15 and got 19 ( Total: 34 )
Aleith|DM: Phyllis the Navigator?
Phyllis: Drive Enemy again!
Aleith|DM: Roll first
Phyllis rolled d20+39 and got 2 ( Total: 41.0 )
Aleith|DM: Alright, you do.
Aleith|DM: Where would you be driving it to?
Phyllis: Have it hold position again.
Aleith|DM: It chooses
Aleith|DM: where would you like to drive it to?
[OOC] Phyllis: Probably just Hold Position ourselves then
Aleith|DM: You mean ’Block Enemy'?
[OOC] Phyllis: yes that augh
Aleith|DM: Okay!
Aleith|DM: Terrain phase doesn't pose a threat!
Aleith|DM: Bearing phase!
Garrett: "Full steam to rudders!"
Aleith|DM rolled d20+12 and got 14 ( Total: 26 ) for Borne
Garrett‘ rolled 1d20+28 and got 12 ( Total: 40 )
Phyllis: "Garrett, do - do rudders have steam?"
Garrett: "…sure! The steam pushes the rudders!"
Aleith|DM: Critical success! You can point any edge of the Coaltongue at any edge of the colossus!
Garrett: "That’s how it turns." He turns to Gerald. "Right?" Zane. "Right?" Chandra. "Right???"
[OOC] Garrett: our broadside to its back
Aleith|DM: Okay!
Aleith|DM: Attack phase!
Aleith|DM: The colossus can't reach you, and sends another blast at that poor large ship!
Zane: "We need to pull it west, further out. Deeper water to slow it down."
Gerald: "Uh not… really…? Steam goes to the engine, engine moves the ship. Wheel turns the rudder but there's usually no steam involved in that just mechan - incoming!"
Aleith|DM rolled d20+25 and got 4 ( Total: 29 )
Aleith|DM: The allied fleet returns fire!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+34 and got 14 ( Total: 48.0 )
Zane: "Tell the Freux and the others to fall south, we'll give them clear shots."
Aleith|DM: Zane!
Zane: "Come chase me…"
Zane rolled d20+26 and got 10 ( Total: 36 )
Phyllis: "Noted. I'll try and maneuver accordingly from here on out."
Zane slams it with another exploding ball of acid.
Aleith|DM: 1 strike! The fleet deals 3 strikes! Speed reduced by 4!
Aleith|DM: The colossus finishes decimating the crew of that ship with its Spirit Cascade!
Aleith|DM: Naval round 3!
Aleith|DM: Ernst!
Aleith|DM: Manoeuvre! Gerald!
Ernst rolled d20+11 and got 13 ( Total: 24.0 )
[OOC] Ernst: +2 Manoeuvrability unless we need speed more
Gerald‘ rolled d20+15 and got 3 ( Total: 18 )
Aleith|DM: The colossus goes for Full Speed Ahead and Evasive Maneuvers!
Chandrasekhar: "Keep dancing circles around this thing!" [Evasive Manoeuvre]
[OOC] Aleith|DM: +2 defence, -5 attack, +2 Location, -5 Bearing
Aleith|DM: Location phase! Phyllis!
Phyllis rolled d20+39 and got 9 ( Total: 48.0 )
Phyllis: "Drive it west!"
The allied ships prepare to move to stay near but not too near to the colossus.
Aleith|DM rolled d20+13 and got 12 ( Total: 25 )
Aleith|DM: Yeah……
Aleith|DM: It Holds Position with -5 to Bearing phase
Phyllis: "Foul luck befalls you, witch-touched abomination."
[OOC] Phyllis: Make it So] - it misses its next attack.
Aleith|DM: Bearing Phase! Garrett!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+9 and got 5 ( Total: 14 )
Garrett: "Good work! It’s slowing down!"
Garrett‘ rolled 1d20+28 and got 15 ( Total: 43 )
Aleith|DM: Critical success!
[OOC] Garrett: still broadside to back
Aleith|DM: Attack phase! Zane!
Aleith|DM: The colossus misses!
Aleith|DM: The allied ships fire another volley!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+34 and got 5 ( Total: 39 ) for 23 base, -5 for range, +16 from allied ships
Aleith|DM: Oh wait +33…
Aleith|DM: No strikes!
Zane starts hammering it with heavy shot now, seeing if the acid has weaked anything enough to break loose.
Zane rolled d20+26 and got 8 ( Total: 34 )
Aleith|DM: Not yet! No damage!
Aleith|DM: Round 4! The colossus seems to be starting to panic!
Aleith|DM: Ernst!
Ernst rolled d20+11 and got 20 ( Total: 31.0 )
Phyllis: "Foul luck befalls us all apparently."
Aleith|DM: Manoeuvre! Gerald!
Chandrasekhar: "As long as foul luck befalls the colossus, we’ll carry the day! Not much longer, now!" [Evasive]
Aleith|DM: The colossus is panicking! Hard About/Steady Aim! [-5 Location, +2 Bearing; -5 Defences, +2 Attack]
Chandrasekhar rolled d20+15 and got 14 ( Total: 29 ) for I think??
Aleith|DM rolled d20+5 and got 9 ( Total: 14 )
Aleith|DM: right anyway
Aleith|DM: Location! Phyllis!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+6 and got 20 ( Total: 26 ) for Borne
[OOC] Phyllis: it should be d20+21 right? unless i'm missing other bonuses
Aleith|DM: +5 base, -5 manoeuvre, +12/2=+6 due to shallow water
[OOC] Phyllis: +15 from command check, +6 from Phyllis' attributes/skills, and those, so 31 total
Aleith|DM: I meant for the Colossus
[OOC] Phyllis: i meant for us
Aleith|DM: Yours is +15 base, +18 speed, +6 Phyllis
[OOC] Phyllis: OH +speed rating
[OOC] Garrett: the coaltongue is -really- good
Phyllis rolled d20+39 and got 19 ( Total: 58.0 )
[OOC] Phyllis: so 39 is correct
Aleith|DM: Yep.
Aleith|DM: Driving it?
Phyllis: Pushing it west or make it suffer in bearing, yes.
Aleith|DM: Yep. It goes west!
Aleith|DM: Speed reduced to a max of 2!
Aleith|DM: Bearing phase! Garrett!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+19 and got 3 ( Total: 22 ) for 5+12+2
Garrett: "It's dancing in the palms of our hands! Give it no quarter!"
Garrett‘ rolled 1d20+28 and got 16 ( Total: 44 )
Aleith|DM: Critical success!
[OOC] Garrett: broadside to back!
Aleith|DM: The colossus sends a Spirit Cascade at one of the Huge ships!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+27 and got 4 ( Total: 31 )
Aleith|DM: Decimating half of the crew!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+33 and got 13 ( Total: 46 ) for Allied ships
Gerald: "Aren’t you glad we didn't take the little sail boat!"
Aleith|DM: The allied ships reply with a solid 4 strikes!
Aleith|DM: Attack! Zane!
Zane fires a full salvo into the things back with a snarl.
Zane rolled d20+26 and got 5 ( Total: 31 )
Aleith|DM: Another strike!
Zane: "I hate fighting golems, you don't even bleed…"
Aleith|DM: The colossus picks up the immobilized ship here and hurls it another large ship!
Aleith|DM: For the first time in history, someone uses a warship as a thrown weapon.
Aleith|DM rolled d20+27 and got 14 ( Total: 41 )
Gerald: "Holy shit."
Aleith|DM rolled 5d10 and got 4, 6, 5, 8, 3 ( Total: 26 )
Phyllis: "… this could be worse. This could be so much worse."
Phyllis: "But that doesn't make this okay."
Chandrasekhar: "…it dropped a battleship on us. That's cheating."
Aleith|DM: The ship is immobilized as the ship crashes into it, knocking out the cannons, propulsion, and dealing severe damage to the crew!
Garrett: "A'int nothin' about this playing by the rules."
Aleith|DM: Round 5!
Aleith|DM: Ernst!
Ernst rolled d20+11 and got 19 ( Total: 30.0 )
[OOC] Ernst: err
Aleith|DM: +3 Maneuverability!
Aleith|DM: Manoeuvre! Gerald!
[OOC] Ernst: That was our ship?
[OOC] Garrett: no thank god
Aleith|DM: Nope another small ship
[OOC] Garrett: there'd be a lot more yelling
[OOC] Ernst: OK that's what I thought keep going
Gerald: roll d20+15
Gerald‘ rolled d20+15 and got 16 ( Total: 31 )
Aleith|DM rolled d20+5 and got 14 ( Total: 19 )
Aleith|DM: The colossus is not taking any special maneouvres!
Aleith|DM: Chandra!
Chandrasekhar orders another round of evasive manouevres! "Hang in there, everyone!"
Aleith|DM: Location! Phyllis!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+7 and got 9 ( Total: 16 ) for Borne
Phyllis rolled d20+39 and got 15 ( Total: 54.0 )
Aleith|DM: Not a surprise.
Phyllis: "The further out to sea, the better." [Drive Enemy: West]
Aleith|DM: It’s now submerged up just over its shoulders now.
Aleith|DM: Bearing! Garrett!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+17 and got 12 ( Total: 29 )
Garrett: "Hmmph! He's tryin'!"
Garrett‘ rolled 1d20+28 and got 9 ( Total: 37 )
Garrett: "Not good enough! Crack some skulls!"
[OOC] Garrett: broadside, pointing at the back of his head we’re at, right?
Aleith|DM: Success! Broadside to bow, or bow/stern to any side?
Zane calls for more heavy shot. "Open up and say 'Oh shit I came to the wrong neighborhood' motherfucker…"
[OOC] Garrett: bow to rear
Zane rolled d20+26 and got 10 ( Total: 36 )
Aleith|DM: 1 strike!
Aleith|DM: The colossus fires at the huge ship it aimed at before!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+25 and got 20 ( Total: 45 )
Aleith|DM: Decimating the crew!
Gerald‘ winces.
Aleith|DM: The allied crew fires!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+32 and got 9 ( Total: 41 )
Aleith|DM: Dealing 2 strikes!
Aleith|DM: Round 6!
Aleith|DM: Ernst!
Ernst rolled d20+11 and got 3 ( Total: 14.0 )
Gerald` rolled d20+15 and got 7 ( Total: 22 )
Aleith|DM: +1 maneuverability!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+5 and got 20 ( Total: 25 )
Aleith|DM: Chandra!
Chandrasekhar: "Just a little while longer!" [Evasive Manoeuvre] "The ritual is almost complete! Keep it off the Coaltongue at all costs!"
Aleith|DM: The colossus does a Hard About! [+2 Bearing, -5 Location]
Aleith|DM: Location! Phyllis!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+2 and got 18 ( Total: 20 )
Phyllis rolled d20+39 and got 5 ( Total: 44.0 )
Phyllis: "We’re staying put." [Block Enemy]
Aleith|DM: If you drive it any further west it'll be submerged and you won't be able to shoot at it…
Aleith|DM: OK! It holds position.
Aleith|DM: Bearing! Garrett!
Garrett‘ rolled 1d20+28 and got 5 ( Total: 33 )
Garrett: "One more go of it!"
Aleith|DM rolled d20+19 and got 5 ( Total: 24 )
[OOC] Garrett: bow to rear
Aleith|DM: Okay.
Aleith|DM: Attack!
Zane: "One more time, crew!"
Zane rolled d20+26 and got 18 ( Total: 44 )
Aleith|DM: The allied ships fire!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+30 and got 13 ( Total: 43 )
Aleith|DM: 4 strikes total! It’s immobilized!
Aleith|DM: The colossus fires one last Spirit Cascade at a Large Ship!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+25 and got 11 ( Total: 36 )
Aleith|DM: Taking out half of the crew!
During the minutes spent desperately maneuvering to avoid the colossus’s wrath, the rain overhead intensifies into a thunderstorm, and as King Aodhan’s ritual reaches its crescendo, a green light swirls around the colossus, like vines wrapping around an abandoned vehicle.
The colossus surges toward the king and party and raises its fists, but then the light flashes and the colossus is simply gone.
The sea heaves as water fills the suddenly empty space, but the storm abates, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of spring.
Aleith|DM: Cheers go up from the surrounding ships!
Zane: "Check the water, clean up any remaining witchoil monsters. I dont want these things killing some poor fisherman because we got lazy."
Aleith|DM: Some of the undamaged ships stay behind to deal with that.
As the damaged fleet returns to harbor, the king sags onto a seat and tells you that the colossus has been banished. It’s now in the Dreaming, where he hopes it’s beyond the reach of the Obscurati.
Chandrasekhar lets out a sigh of relief. "May the boughs bind it, may the vines grow over its body and break it like the rocks; may the day then come when the rocks have broken and the vines yet remain."
Aodhan: "I do intend to send messengers to the Unseen Court to ask for their aid in keeping the machine from falling back into enemy hands. Hopefully they won't view the sudden arrival of the colossus as an act of war…"
Garrett‘ glances at Gerald.
Gerald: "Hm?"
Phyllis: "We … can smooth over feathers, hopefully."
Garrett: "Ah, nothin’."
Aodhan: "Still, it's an easier mission than the one I have for you."
Zane: "I want a list of every docker and civilian sailor that went out there and died for us today. They need to be remembered, and their families paid weregild."
Gerald‘ scratches behind his head.
Aodhan: "Take time to heal, recover, and prepare. But once our agents find a lead, you’ll need to be ready to go anywhere at moment's notice."
Gerald: "Zane I think we ought to fail a mission one or twice so they actually start giving us time off, instead of all the hard jobs."
Aodhan: "Today I'm content to have just driven the colossus away, but when we cross paths with it again, I want this weapon for Risur. I want to know why the Obscurati were building it, and either how to control it, or how to destroy it."
Garrett: "We'll ah,"
Garrett: "Keep our eyes peeled for it."
Phyllis: "It's easy to miss, though."
Chandrasekhar: "That much adamantium will leave one hell of a paper trail."
Zane: "Well Gerald I *did* try to burn down a district. Maybe I'll try harder next time."
Aodhan: "Any suggestions on what to tell the populace on the source for the attack? I'm not sure my people will appreciate the nuance of a multinational conspiracy, but I can't exactly lay this at the feet of Danor or Crisillyr without any proof."
Gerald: "I don't think they WERE trying to control it for what it's worth."
Garrett‘ goes to sit onto a dockpost.
Zane: "’Enemies of the state' is vague enough, I think."
Garrett: "'Extraplanar automaton built by mad scientists,' is a start."
Phyllis: "'Witches at Cauldron Hill summoned a forgotten titan.'"
King Aodhan points at the Freux Rouge in the distance. "By tomorrow, the crew of that ship will be heroes who helped Risur defend against a mysterious new foe, I suppose. Good for the peace talks, but I fear they'll be delayed indefinately for the moment."
Gerald: "Man, am I glad it was them and not Lyra."
Zane: "Gosh your highness, it just breaks my heart that you might need to postpone your maddiage to the lady who by all appearances is actively working to have your kingdom destroyed."
Zane: "I'll have to cancel my fancy cloak rental and everything."
Aodhan: "I'm sure the Sovreign will be heading back for his own shores when word of the overlarge golem reaches his ears."
Aodhan: "From what Delft tells me, at least this way I don't have to worry about you sniping my supposed fiancée off the deck of their ship."
Aodhan: "Not that I'm sure that's a bad thing any longer."
Zane: "Dont look at me, I'm waiting until your honeymoon."
Chandrasekhar side-eyes Zane. He was trying to figure out a more diplomatic way of saying it, but here we are. "I can think of worse things. I trust you to keep relations between our countries on an even keel, even given what we know. Sparking all-out war is just what they want, I imagine."
Garrett‘ rubs at his face with a hand. "Thank goodness for small victories."
Zane: "Take her some place with a really nice view."
Ernst emerges from the engine room before shaking his head. "That went better than expected, honestly. Where are we taking things from here?"
Phyllis: "Those who build weapons have incentive to use them."
Gerald: "They keep saying I SHOULDN’T do that, yeah."
Phyllis: "Let's not."
Aodhan: "We'll get people to comb through the wreckage of their facility. Use their information to start tracking down other possible Ob agents in the country. Cleaning up show, essentially."
Aodhan: "And when we get some news, you'll be heading out to track down whatever information we hear about."
Zane: "Oh, uh. Sorry for not bringing in Quital alive. Kinda. Ish."
Gerald: "Make sure you guys find Quintal's body, too. I really dont' want them rezzing him."
Phyllis: "I was hoping to … interrogate him, yes."
Garrett: "Or parts of body…"
Garrett: "That was a long fall."
Zane: "Yeah it was. Asshole."
Gerald: "Oh yeah good point he probably exploded like a watermelon when he hit the ground."
Aodhan: "He sounded like a dangerous foe, all told. We'll have to see if we can get the cave-in out of that pit."
Ernst: "What of that woman we took in? Did Flint ever give us a follow up on that?"
Aodhan: "Woman?"
Phyllis: "Kuja? Or the mute one?"
Zane: "The recently undeceased Kaja Stewart, yes."
Aodhan: "She'll be interrogated, and then probably sent to prison."
Minister Lee speaks up. "We might look at keeping her under supervision while doing research for us. Her techniques have interesting military uses."
Zane looks at Lee. Out at the bay. Back at Lee. "They sure do."
Aleith|DM: The ship soon nears the shore.
The people of Flint line the shore, cheering and applauding for the heroes that drove away the monster that attacked their city.
As the party sails close enough to be clearly viewed by the citizens, the king stands, draws his sword, and asks the party to kneel.
Zane kneels. Gotta give the people a sh- "Oh my god does this title come with an estate?"
Garrett‘ winces a bit but takes a knee. He grins at Zane’s question.
Gerald: "Probably not."
Zane: "Shhh."
Gerald‘ takes his hat off as he takes a knee.
Then, with a simple proclamation calling on you to defend the realm, and no, it doesn’t come with an estate, he touches his sword to your shoulders and grants each of you a knighthood.
Zane mutters "Goddamnit."
The crowd grows quiet at the scene, and then Aodhan tells you to stand, and the applause can be heard across the city.
Phyllis takes a knee, despite probably being short in stature enough anyway.
End of Adventure 5, Cauldron-Born
End of Arc One: The Investigation Begins

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