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Shining Force Central Forums > RPG Gallery > Shining Force: The Chaos War Part IV

Posted by: Rusty Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:29 pm
((...))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:19 pm
The long metal hallway ends after a while in a large square room, a control console on one end. The ceiling is lost in darkness, soaring high into the mountain. Doors are apparent in the southern wall at intervals going higher and higher. A line of crimson lights gives dim illumination in a line going up from the floor to the cavernous ceiling.
"This is a cargo lift. We can access most of the base from here," Gilliam says, walking over and working the console, metal fingers flying over the ancient keys. Gilliam swears after a while. "We COULD access most of the base except that sections have been locked down due to security protocols in place... Right now all I can access are the top levels, thanks to my old override clearance. We'll have to work our way down from there," Gilliam turns towards the whole group. "There are emergency stairs that connect the whole base, but with the type of lockdown currently in place, there will only be one stair connecting each level. And they will be different stairs. Our goal should be to find the stairs on each level and descend until we hit the control center on floor thirteen... But if I can find the security center on each floor, I can clear the lift to access it. Also, this place is huge, but the room aren't. It might be to our advantage to split up."
Gilliam pauses for a moment.
"Sweeping the base might also be a good idea... We may be able to find the control for the base defenses and compromise them, locate stores of weapons, or other such worthy secondary objectives... Also, there's a chance that if I can hit a Security Center, I can unlock a few floors at once," Gilliam turns to Cedric and Sorel. "In any case, it's up to you how to proceed. When you decide who goes where, I'll operate the lift."
(O denotes accessible. / denotes locked down level. X denotes location of lift.)
LIFT CONTROLS:
30th floor[O]: Sensor Array Control Station & Maitenance.
29th floor[O]: Barracks and Staff Facilities
28th floor[O]: Air Hangers & Aero-Repair Facilities.
27th floor[/]: Laboratories: Teleportation Experiments.
26th floor[/]: Laboratories: Chemical and Biological Experimentation.
25th floor[/]: Laboratories: Arcane/Supernatural.
24th floor[/]: Missile Storage
23rd floor[/]: Barracks and Staff Facilities
22nd floor[/]: Missile Silos #1-5. [Short Range/Tactical]
21st floor[/]: Secondary Security Controls & Armory.
20th floor[/]: Archives & Processing.
19th floor[/]: Recreation Center.
18th floor[/]: Training Facilities.
17th floor[/]:Missile Silos #6-10. [Moderate Range]
16th floor[/]: Robotics Primary Storage and Repair.
15th floor[/]: External Site Missile Command
14th floor[/]: Hydroponics/ Food Generation
13th floor[/]: Base Command and Primary Security Control.
12th floor[/]: Laboratories: Robotics.
11th floor[/]: Cybernetics Production, Storage, and Repair.
10th floor[/]: Teritiary Security Control
09th floor[/]: Medical Ward.
08th floor[/]: Barracks and Staff Facilities.
07th floor[/]: Ground Level: Main entrance. Vehicle Garage and Repair.
06th floor[/]: Laboratories: Weapons.
05th floor[/]: Missile Silos #10-15. [Long Range]
04th floor[/]: Supply Storage 1 & Primary Armory
03rd floor[/]: Supply Storage 2 (Main Supply)
02nd floor[/]: Supply Storage 3 & Water Systems/Plumbing.
01st floor[/]: Power Generators
Emergency access shaft: X (here)
((This is the Megiddo portion of SFCWIV. It starts with the II and III groups and will eventually include the IV groups assuming they make it in. This will be a massive dungeon crawl, so things will be handled a little differently. Updates will be handled depending on who goes where and what your glorious leaders decide on planwise. Some things to expect are...
> Each level begins with the squad in a single room. More of the level will be revealed as you explore, room by room. Depending on the size of the level, the map may be shown a single room at a time.
> Updates will be handled per group rather than all at once. By group, I mean whoever is together in a squad.
>Individual groups, if they log onto AIM at once, can elect to explore over AIM to speed things up.
>A DC10 Knowledge Tactics or Int or Wis check will reveal that attempting to keep the II and III groups in one massive group and exploring that way is idiotic. There are too many people and the rooms are too small. Exploring a level by splitting into smaller teams will get the job done faster and more efficiently.
>More will be revealed as it becomes apparent.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:12 am
((I want to wait until Kai's around to decide what to do with the forces)) ((Kno Tactics: 28)) "Seems like splitting up is the way to go," Zook whispers to Cedric. "Lots of tiny rooms means having 50 people run around as one big group probably won't work so well. So, the colonel's right, I s'pose. Not that you needed that explained to you. I guess I'm just talking, you know. Probably a nervous condition." He rubs his hands together greedily, a hungry light in his eyes. "This is payback for never getting presents as a child."
((Kno Tactics: 31, Kno Tech: 30, Kno Ancients: 37))
"Oh boy," he mutters, stifling a giggle with his clenched fist. "What to do, what to do... do I want the toys, or the candy, or the toys made of candy, or the toys that make candy..." Zook heaves an involuntary shudder, and clears his throat nervously, looking around.
"I, uh, I mean... Alright. The nukes are in these missile silos," he says, tapping Floors 22, 17, and 5 on the display. "The base can also fire missiles from remote sites -- that is, far away -- from here," he says, tapping Floor 15. "The missiles here--" he taps Floor 24 "--aren't threatening anybody just yet. Takes quite a while to prime missiles for launch." He frowns. "And of course, if we can take the command center -- Floor 13, which is really sort of ominous when you think about it -- we can stop all missile launches," he gives Gilliam a look, "With the proper codes. In my opinion, the silos should be our first priority. Most of the rest of the floors are self-explanatory, except..." He stares at a space on the screen. "Not sure what they mean by 'Chemical and Biological Experimentation'. Could be a lot of things, none of them pleasant."

Posted by: FreedomJu Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:05 am
OOC: Van's level up for now.... posts in the other IV thread whenver this storm ends or tomorrow. Name: Van Akei Race: Human Class: Fighter Alignment: Neutral Good
EXP: 109400
Level 14
HP: 124
AC: 19
INIT: 4
FORT: 11
REF: 7
WILL: 6
Base Attack Bonus: +15/10/5
== Abilities ==
STR: 18 (+4) (With gauntlets, 20 (+5))
DEX: 14 (+2)
CON: 15 (+2)
INT: 13 (+1)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 11 (0)
== Skills ==
Jump (11)
Craft (8)
Intimidate (9)
Tumble (8)
Spot (7)
Listen (7)
== Feats ==
Dodge
Power Attack
Cleave
Mobility
Spring Attack
Combat Expertise
Combat Reflexes
Improved Trip
Distracting Attack (Circumstance bonus)
Deft Opportunist
Hold the Line (You may make an attack of opportunity against a charging opponent who enters an area you threaten. Your attack of opportunity happens immediately before the charge attack is resolved.)
Heroic Destiny (Once per day, before you make an attack roll, ability check, skill check, saving throw, or caster level check, you may roll 1d6 and add it as a bonus to the roll, check, or save.)
Weapon Focus (Guisarme)
Weapon Specialization (Guisarme)
Sense Weakness: Van can now ignore 5 points of DR with each attack with his Guisarme!
== Languages ==
(O) Common
(0) Giant
== Weapons ==
Sweeping Guisarme +1 made out of Flametouched Iron
Weapon is Good Aligned
+4 to hit for Trip attempts
Ghost Touch +3 Longsword
== Armor ==
+3 Chain Shirt
Ring of Protection +1
== Inventory ==
Lamp
Tent
Waterskin
Backpack
1379 GP
Haste potion
Protection from Arrows potion
2 CSW potions
Gauntlets of Ogre Strength (+2 to STR)

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:07 am
Leader Cedric Other Leader Guy Sorel Primary Objective
Stop the Nuclear Holocaust by taking the Command Centre
Subordinates
Gilliam, Faralon, Ombligo
Leader
Gorrik
Important Character
Zook
Primary Objective
Protect Zook as he takes over base security
Secondary Objective
Protect Zook period.
Subordinates
Laika, Telanna, Kria, Gabe
Leader
Ashathel
Primary Objective
Secure the front entrance and make contact with allied forces.
Secondary Objective
Proceed on your own initiative.
Subordinates
Graigus, Farain, Langston, Aurik, Tanis
Leader
Isyndel
Primary Objective
Secure Laboratories on floors 25-27.
Secondary Objective
Proceed on your own initiative.
Subordinates
Mahler, Sulia, Kethra, Kayla, Kyoji
Leader
Gail
Primary Objective
‘Liberate’ the three primary missile silos, preventing the Nuclear Holocaust that will result from Gilliam taking control of the base.
Subordinates
Merkass, Rhizor, Castor, Ignatius, Damas, Van
Leader
Max
Primary Objective
Guard the Elevator
Secondary Objective
Make out in the Elevator
Subordinates
Anri

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:16 am
The two leaders and Zook hold a quiet conversation amongst themselves, then address the assembled forces. “Our squads were designed for combat, not for an operation of this magnitude.” Cedric begins in a tired but resolved voice, looking over the group with a frown, “The Elder and myself have discussed matters and come to the following decisions.” He glances at Sorel and continues, “We will combine our forces to form independent units which can better handle the situation before us.” He pauses then adds, “Today, we have already struck the mightiest blow yet against our foes…but our work is not yet ended.”
He nods to the druid, “Sorel and I will lead a group to the command center of this fortress.” He nods to the cyborg who threatened him only a day before, “After we cease control, the Ancient will do everything in his power to prevent the destructive power of this base from being unleashed.” He turns to his trusted second in command, “I have to ask that you accompany us on this task, your diverse skills may be the difference between saving the world we love or watching it burn in the unholy fire of a fell race.”
Sorel's eyes sweep over the group, his expression stern. "Together we have overcome our single greatest challenge, and yet our task now seems greater still. We are to strike at the heart and mind of strife." His gaze rests on Gorrik. "Gorrik will lead a group around the tinker Zook to gain control over Megiddo's security, and allow us to access the rest of the installation. His abilities will find the greatest use there."
“Iysndel, your knowledge and skills are second to none among your peers.” Cedric begins after a moment, nodding to her certainly, “I want you to lead a team to secure the Laboratories…” His voice is calm, completely assured that the task is being assigned to capable hands, “Once you have done so, I trust you to decide on the next appropriate course of action.”
"Gail," Sorel says. "Your task is the one the tinker declared to be most important. You, and a few others, are to take control of the silos before the horrible destructive power the Ancients could not survive to wield is released upon the world. Stop the Strife Lords from launching the missiles."
Cedric nods to the holy knight, “You slew Xadoss, I can think of none more worthy to be entrusted with a task of this import.” (Unless, of course, it was someone with 1/2 a rank in UseTechnologicalDevice.)
The knight of Mitula then turns his attention to the swashbuckler, “Ashathel, you have proven yourself a bold and capable warrior, leader, and mage.” He smiles slightly, “Even as we speak, other forces are launching a frontal assault against this fortress. I want you to assist them. It will not be a simple task to reach the front lines but crushing the flank of the frontal defenses of this base should be well within your skill.” He nods, “Once you have broken the front lines and made contact with our allies, you are free to act as you deem necessary. You have shown that your judgment is sound.”
"Finally, to the hero Max and Queen Anri, we have charged the vital task of making sure our mode of transport is secure. Their effort will be the foundation that makes our every action possible." Sorel looks about at those assembled. "This is dangerous, it is difficult, and it is bold. But every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we raise our eyes to the heavens and we see that that capacity may well be limitless. Together, we can work miracles."
Cedric begins to sing, “There can be miracles… If you believe… Though hope is frail, its hard to kill. Who knows what miracles, you can achieve, if you believe, if you believe somehow you will. You will if you believe…”
Erh…
Cedric nods sternly, glaring at the forces, “It’s Hammer time.”
Erh…
Cedric and Sorel burst out laughing, "Haha, really had you going there. Max, Anri, Kyoji, and Gilliam are going to solo the base. We brought a picnic lunch to enjoy while we wait."
Erh…
Cedric sighs heavily, casting one final glance at the space where Alisa fell, then turns to the entrance, stepping forward, “Oh, and check for traps as you go. I’ll never forget that door that exploded in my face…Oh wait, was it my face or someone else’s?” He frowns thoughtfully, “Huh… I guess I did forget.”

Posted by: Alpha Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:46 am
((no Tanis then ))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:49 am

QUOTE (VoxPVoxD @ Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:46 am)
((no Tanis then ))

what are you talking about

Posted by: Tarethen Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:49 am
((Farain's much needed level ups: Farain reaches Ranger level 5! HP increases by 11! Gains Favored Enemy: Construct! BAB increases by 1!
Gains 3 ranks in Listen!
Gains 3 ranks in Spot!
Farain reaches Ranger level 6!
HP increases by 10!
Gains Combat Style Manyshot!
BAB increases by 1!
Fort increases by 1!
Ref increases by 1!
Will increases by 1!
Gains 2 ranks in Listen!
Gains 3 ranks in Spot!
Gains 1 rank in Move silently!
Gains 1 point in DEX!
Farain reaches Stalker of Kharash level 1!
HP increases by 11!
Gains special Scent of Evil!
BAB increases by 1!
Ref increases by 2!
Gains 1 rank in Listen!
Gains 1 rank in Spot!
Gains 2 ranks in Hide
Gains 2 ranks in Move Silently! .
))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:09 am
Gorrik's group and Isyndel's group: Floor 30 Gail's group and Ashathel's group: Floor 29 Cedric and Sorel's group: Floor 28 Max and Anri: The Love Shack

Posted by: Cyrus Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:19 am
Gail pauses for a moment after her task has been named, letting the gravity of the situation sink in before nodding to the joint leaders. "Then there will be no error in my actions. Whatever must be done to halt this shall be done...Though...Zook," the paladin calls, turning to the tinker, "Is there any way to disable the weapons when we find them? We do not know the size of the force inside, and if we merely defeat the foes in place and move on, it leaves them open to be re-taken...a circumstance I do not wish to permit."

Posted by: Kaihaku Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:30 am
"Smash them." Zook replies reflexively, then adds thoughtfully, "...or turn them into candy canes." He giggles, "Yes, yes turn them into candy canes."

Posted by: Cyrus Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:54 am

QUOTE (Kaihaku @ Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:30 am)
"Smash them." Zook replies reflexively, then adds thoughtfully, "...or turn them into candy canes." He giggles, "Yes, yes turn them into candy canes."

"So we really are turning this place into a candy store?" Gail inquires, pressing a slender finger to her lips as she pauses, deep in thought. "I guess I could use a few gumdrops...maybe a cinnamon bun, but then we'd have to build a bakery here, too..."

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:49 am
"I apologize to all those who wanted to smash things into little bits," Ashathel said, bowing with a grin. "We'll be sure to bowl over the competition for you all, maybe bring back some souvenir Ancient robot helmets or something." Then, whispering to Cedric, he added "Coming back alive is a priority too. Don't stand and die unnecessarily, Cedric... none of us can afford that."
"Alright, you young whippersnappers," the elf said, strolling through the hallways, "I know things worked differently for you, but... wait, Zook, which way am I going?"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:44 am

QUOTE (Slake Fistcrunch @ Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:19 am)
Gail pauses for a moment after her task has been named, letting the gravity of the situation sink in before nodding to the joint leaders. "Then there will be no error in my actions. Whatever must be done to halt this shall be done...Though...Zook," the paladin calls, turning to the tinker, "Is there any way to disable the weapons when we find them? We do not know the size of the force inside, and if we merely defeat the foes in place and move on, it leaves them open to be re-taken...a circumstance I do not wish to permit."

"Uh..." Zook trails off. "Yeah, there is. But if you try there's a chance you set them off. He shrugs. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find a way to solve the problem by smashing something. You are a paladin, after all."
The tinker looks at Ashathel. "You're going into the elevator, just like everyone else. Difference is, you're stopping on the 28th floor, which is the hangar. Where the flying machines are kept. Try not to break anything."

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:58 am

QUOTE (Slake Fistcrunch @ Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:54 am)
"So we really are turning this place into a candy store?" Gail inquires, pressing a slender finger to her lips as she pauses, deep in thought. "I guess I could use a few gumdrops...maybe a cinnamon bun, but then we'd have to build a bakery here, too..."

"There already is one. They bake shortbread."

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sat Jun 23, 2007 3:27 am

QUOTE (Alpha @ Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:09 am)
Max and Anri: The Love Shack

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:50 am
Gilliam sighs, heavily, hesitating for a brief moment before inputting the destination into the lift. The ancient elevator emits a metal groan as it slowly begins to climb upwards, the shaft dimly lit crimson by the emergency lights. Gilliam speaks again.
"I doubt the undead have need of light... You may expect lightning conditions to be poor at best, be prepared to supply your own illumination," Gilliam says, the lift rumbling underneath him.
What seems like eternity passes in relative silence before the lift reaches the top and the doors open.
"All right, go. Good hunting," Gilliam says, ushering out Gorrik and Isyndel's group before closing the doors and working the controls again.
------------
Megiddo: http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/333/17
First room: http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/5303/megiddofloor30a1fv6.gif
The air smells of rust and blood, a metallic smell that assaults your nostrils while your eyes grow accustomed to the gloom. The lights on this floor seem to be out of order, the only illumination present here cast by the soft glow of many, many display screens. Consoles and workstations line the walls as tower-like machines and metal blocks cover the room's center. Most of the "blocks" appear to be some sort of table, with displays and controls location on each side. One table, near the back, is projecting a hologram of the planet. The translucent image is oddly beautiful in the dark of the room...
But those with good eyesight or a source of light can already see the room's true horror. Skeletal corpses of long dead Ancients are tossed here and there across the floor. Massive black-red stains coat large section of wall and ground... pooled blood from the long ago war of apocalypse. They can also see an emergency ladder leading down to the barracks. Three halls lead from this massive chamber, and there appears to be a lift to the surface south of your lift, but inspection will reveal it is collapsed, the half open doors blocked with blocks of stone, girders of steel, and rubble.
>Your move.
-----------
Ruins of the Ancient Order: http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/333/12
The doors of the elevator open once more, disgorging Gail and Ashathel's group into a large room dominated by row upon row of bunk beds, metal closets standing flush against the wall. A single light panel at the far end of the room provides barely enough illumination to see by. A large broken down door seems to provide an exit for this room, and a set of emergency stairs to your left leads up to Floor 30. A vent in the wall gives the room a chill breeze that prickles the back of your neck.
First Room: http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/932/megiddofloor29a1lu1.png
>Your move.
----------
The elevator is now empty save for seven people. The lift rumbles and groans, creaking to a halt at the group's final destination.
Gilliam works the controls a final time, opening the doors and accompanying the others out. Immediately he swears aloud, bringing his gun to bear.
The room you have entered is a vast hanger, ships and humanoid machines connected by a myriad assortment of cables and wires to support frames and cradles taking up most of the space. Cracks, dents, and tears in the hulls and frames are all uniform of the machines standing silent in this room. Huge man-like mecha stand still and silent, dead at their posts as exposed wires and machinery peek from holes in their armor. One ship is flipped onto its 'back', the once sleek and graceful craft riddled with disfiguring rends.
Light is provided by a trio of large panel lights in the ceiling... three working lights out of an array of ten. As a result, there are plenty of shadows and dark areas. However, no amount of darkness can hide the carnage that this great room once bore witness to. Sprays of blood blackened from age line the walls. More of it cakes the floor in many places. The occasional corpse still lies collapsed here or there. All mute reminders of the struggles of the Ancients against the Darkness.
Two tunnels wide enough for even the largest of the craft to exit are immediately to your side, but three halls designed for humans and not machines also seem to lead from this chamber.
Place of Doom: http://www.sirgalahad.org/paul/doom/mp3/e1m1.mp3
However, your immediate concern is none of this, but rather the two huge demonic-looking beasts looking in your direction with drooling maws. Red glowing optics and running lights for the odd devices they wear also give the presence of several Drowned Eye away, and their robotic companions.
Max gives a shout as Anri screams a power word from within the elevator. A great clap of thunder is heard as three Metal Claws fall to the lift floor. Within the shaft, secret doors had opened, disgorging a number of the robotic enemy into the air where they descended upon the two chosen to guard the team's only means of exit.
"We're fine, we can take them! We've sliced up hundreds of robots in our time! We'll hold this area, go!" Max shouts as the heavy lift door closes and seperates your battle from theirs.
First Room: http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3994/megiddofloor28a1yo6.png
>Your move.

Posted by: Punch Rockgroin Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:55 am
"Zook, ye best do wha' I've been told yer good at." Gorrik mentioned to the Gnomish cook. "Wha' is i' tha' we're lookin' fer anyways?" The paladin asks as he steps out of the lift. Zook follows the dwarf out of the lift, dark eyes scanning the room. A gasp escapes him when he sees the gruesome marks of the last war. "I...ah..." He exhales. "Give me a second."
"This is a grim place..." Laika mutters to himself. "So much death has happened here..."
Although being shocked at the look of the place, Gorrik makes no mention of it. The Dwarf turns to Isy. "Best o' luck te ye. Keep in contact fer as long as ye can. The more info each o' us know, the better."
After a moment the engineer collects himself and begins to look around for a working console.
Laika's gloves begin to flicker, and dimly light up the room for those with less fortunate eyesight.
Zook's head snaps up, and his eyes dart to the shadows. "What the hell was that?!"
"Laika, Gabe and Kria! Head towards those hallways, an' keep an eye ou' fer anythin' movin' around. Don' hesita' te let the rest o' know if ye think ye see somethin'." Gorrik shouts out the first of his orders to his comrades. "Telanna, stay close te myself an' Zook." The paladin stated as he made his way alongside the Gnome.
"You don't need to tell me twice," Telanna mutters, folding her arms and shuddering.
Zook finds that the left console tower, the green thing south of you, seems to be functioning. Most of them actually ARE functioning, but for the most they seem to be locked into monitoring cycles. As he examines a console, Zook hears echoing in the room, chuckling male laughter, followed by wrenching female sobs.
((Psst, Kria and Gabe, make spot/listen checks.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sat Jun 23, 2007 5:46 pm
"Alright... since we're going to remain buddy buddy for at least a couple more rooms, no sense in us not working together now," the elf said, his eyes adjusting to his surroundings well enough. "Gail, is it? If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer if your team scouted the next room while we check the lockers here. As for my people, pick a locker and see if you can get at what's inside."
"Oh, also... just so you know, Gail, we usually use codenames for the teams," Ashathel explained, moving to the closest locker to the entrance. "I usually head Wyvern, but considering this isn't the usual group I'll use... Dragon, I guess. We find it helps a little... maybe you might want to try?"
Nodding, the monk heads to the second locker away from the door they just entered and tries to open it. The bladesinger also follows suit.
((Dunno what Gail's group is going to do, but Dragon has it's orders. Assume inactives carry out those orders.))
<}--{ Team Dragon }--{>
Leader: Ashathel
Members:
(O) Graigus
(O) Farain
(O) Langston
(O) Aurik
(O) Tanis

Posted by: Alpha Sat Jun 23, 2007 6:00 pm
Tanis nods at Ashathel's orders, and proceeds to attempt to open the locker next to the one Graigus was opening.

Posted by: Tarethen Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:46 pm
Farain quietly moved to the locker beside Tanis, preparing to search it.

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:06 am
"Sure thing, new boss," Langston said with a toothy grin. He moved to the next available locker and started fuddling with it. As he did so, he sniffed the air before him cautiously. (( Spot: 15 + 12 = 27 Listen: 7 + 4 + 2 = 13 Sniff the locker first, if anything smells suspicious, negate the opening attempt.
Open Lock 10 + 10 + 7 = 27
Search 8 + 15 + 4 = 27. Hmm.))
==============================
"Luck be with you as well," she replied sternly to Gorrik, her face showing some degree of anxiety. "We will work together while we can."
She turned to the rest of her group, meeting eyes with familiar and unfamiliar faces as best as possible in the darkened room. "Our objective is clear, and we have a ways to go. Still, let us not drift too far from our allies yet; this place is more than foreign to all of us. Kyoji," she spoke abruptly, turning to him. "Do as you always do; be our eyes and ears as best you can. I will rely on you to scout the corridors ahead. For now, concentrate on the outer perimeters of the room."
"Kethra, Sulia, I wish to examine the globe and it's surroundings while the others check about. You," she paused again, turning her eyes to Kayla. "Your role in your group in as few words as possible. As well as you," she continued flatly, her gaze drifting to Mahler, "though skip the part regarding your size and likely strength. Roles in battle as well as areas of study, if any."
After addressing them, she begins crossing the room slowly while awaiting their response. Sleet remains all but invisible at her heels; her shadowy coat serving well as natural camouflage.
((Heading toward the globe.
Spot: 19 + 3 = 22
Listen: 13 + 3 = 16
))
((
Langston's level increased!
HP, REF, BAB all improve!
Feat Victor's Luck learned!
Bonus Trick Spot the Weak Point learned.
Spot the Weak Point granted Favorite Trick status!
All points spent in skills.
Isyndel's level increased!
HP and Saves improved!
Metamagic Bonus Feat Sudden Enpower learned!
Extra Slot (Lv7) Learned!
Field of Icy Razors, Polymorph Any Object, and Mind Blank learned!
))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:03 am
Kyoji nods, fading from sight as he walks from the group. Isyndel approaches the globe, the floating sphere the only comforting image in the whole room. The sphere shows what must be the world... but not as it was. The continents are subtly different in places. Mountains exist where they were none before, plains where some mountains where, and everywhere there are cities. In exquisite miniature detail the globe shows city after city across the world, spires of metal and glass soaring so far into the heavens as to be visible from the silent void of space. Glittering metropolis of light, glass, and metal dot the landscape everywhere.
------------
Ashathel yanks his closet open easily enough. Coated in dust within are a few scattered books and a large amount of clothes that have miraculously survived the test of time. The clothes appear to be different military uniforms. In the back of the closet is a recessed niche once covered by a panel of glass. The glass is now shattered, the niche empty.
Graigus' closet is locked.
Tanis and Farain find much the same as Ashathel did, except that Tanis finds an ancient panel of glass, coated in dust. It appears that something is within, but the dust makes it impossible to see.
Langston finds his locker is locked as well, but the skilled ratman manages to get it open. Within are a number of clothes, some books, and recessed into the back wall of the closet is a gun within a glass case, a clip of ammunition next to it. Searching through the clothes, Langston also manages to find some odd pieces of Ancient jewelry, a number of glass and gold bands.
((3 pieces of Ancient jewelry found.))

Posted by: Cyrus Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:46 am

QUOTE (Arcdragnbreth @ Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:46 pm)
"Alright... since we're going to remain buddy buddy for at least a couple more rooms, no sense in us not working together now," the elf said, his eyes adjusting to his surroundings well enough. "Gail, is it? If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer if your team scouted the next room while we check the lockers here. As for my people, pick a locker and see if you can get at what's inside."
"Oh, also... just so you know, Gail, we usually use codenames for the teams," Ashathel explained, moving to the closest locker to the entrance. "I usually head Wyvern, but considering this isn't the usual group I'll use... Dragon, I guess. We find it helps a little... maybe you might want to try?"

The soldier of Light nods at the bladesinger's suggestions. "That was what I had in mind. Since we have no way of judging how long our enemies have been here, we should make the best use of our time." She quirks an eyebrow at the suggestion of codenames, pondering the concept for a second before replying. "Thanks...I'll think about it." That said, she motions for her squad to move forward, unsheathing her sword as she moves into the room beyond.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:15 am
"Gah!" Zook shouts as he looks around frantically for a source to the sound. After a moment of looking around, he finds nothing, so he turn back to the console. The gnome cracks his knuckles, and begins to work the controls, eyes flicking rapidly over the display. It doesn't take long for him to figure out what he can and can't do from here. The terminals on this floor aren't linked to the base's computer network in such a way that they can be used for security. Instead, these computers monitor and manage the flood of data from Megiddo's external communications/sensor arrays.
"Hmm..." he mumbles, as he attempts to bring up communication between the base and the field, only to find them heavily encrypted. He spends a few moments tapping away and thinking, but he is unable to glean anything useful from the encoded messages.
Changing tack, he attempts to call up the base's external cameras, where he sees the fight raging on many fronts, and allied forces advancing closer and closer as each enemy position falls.
Zook notes that a small pass leading directly to the gates of Megiddo is under attack by a band of adventurers. Currently a windstorm shields the group from enemy fire as magical fire rains down on the defending skeletons.
"Clever..." he says to himself, "though it must be a bitch to fly in."
The rest of the displays are hazy with the fog of war. The only other thing he notices is a thirty foot tall steel titan locked in combat with an equally large hundred handed giant. Though the battle rages everywhere as footsoldier and skeleton clash, weapons fire from the base pouring into the skies, this battle stands out.
The tinker squints, attempting to make out the robot. He can't recall anything of this scale being built by the Ancients, and can't tell if it's manned or unmanned. It's dashing around using a rocket-thruster and hover-assisted movement system while running. It circles the giant, firing what seems an endless supply of projectiles from a huge gun proportional to the machine's size. Missle pods on its back occassionally fire as well. Whatever the machine's origin, it is clearly giving the abomination a hell of a fight.
Something about the robot's design pesters Zook, and he stares at it, thinking. After a moment it comes to him, and he snaps his fingers triumphantly. "There was one of these in the Shadowblade," he says, "Though it wasn't in very good shape..."
Finding out nothing else useful, Zook attempts to shut down the sensor and communications array. He doesn't succeed, but he does manage to evade detection. Another sound catches the edge of his hearing and he whips his head around. The tinker swears he heard a faint whispering. His pulse quickens.
Quickly he turns around, brandishing a small gun-shaped object with a dish mounted on the end. It clicks noncommitally, refusing to acknowledge anything more specific than Zook already knew. A flash of movement out of the corner of his eye prompts him to turn around again, but when he looks there is nothing there.
Heart pounding in his chest, the gnome shouts at nothing. "Who's out there?" Zook calls into the shadows. "I know there's someone else in this room!" His ears twitch, and the unmistakable sound of sobbing drifts over to him from the corner of the room. He turns to look, and sees something substantial at last.
In torn, bloody clothing there is a wounded woman sobbing into her hands.
"Who..." Zook says, stepping closer. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
The woman raises her head, revealing a face torn bloodily down to the bone. She gives a blood-curdling shriek, then vanishes.
"AAAAAAAHHH!!!!" Zook screams, stumbling backwards and falling, the device in his hands landing a few feet away. He continues to scream for a few seconds, before collapsing into exhausted panting. Sweat beads the tinker's face.
"What...what the hell is this place?"

Posted by: Kaihaku Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:38 am

QUOTE (TheUnknownMarine @ Sat Jun 23, 2007 2:50 am)
The elevator is now empty save for seven people. The lift rumbles and groans, creaking to a halt at the group's final destination. Gilliam works the controls a final time, opening the doors and accompanying the others out. Immediately he swears aloud, bringing his gun to bear.
The room you have entered is a vast hanger, ships and humanoid machines connected by a myriad assortment of cables and wires to support frames and cradles taking up most of the space. Cracks, dents, and tears in the hulls and frames are all uniform of the machines standing silent in this room. Huge man-like mecha stand still and silent, dead at their posts as exposed wires and machinery peek from holes in their armor. One ship is flipped onto its 'back', the once sleek and graceful craft riddled with disfiguring rends.
Light is provided by a trio of large panel lights in the ceiling... three working lights out of an array of ten. As a result, there are plenty of shadows and dark areas. However, no amount of darkness can hide the carnage that this great room once bore witness to. Sprays of blood blackened from age line the walls. More of it cakes the floor in many places. The occasional corpse still lies collapsed here or there. All mute reminders of the struggles of the Ancients against the Darkness.
Two tunnels wide enough for even the largest of the craft to exit are immediately to your side, but three halls designed for humans and not machines also seem to lead from this chamber.
Place of Doom: http://www.sirgalahad.org/paul/doom/mp3/e1m1.mp3
However, your immediate concern is none of this, but rather the two huge demonic-looking beasts looking in your direction with drooling maws. Red glowing optics and running lights for the odd devices they wear also give the presence of several Drowned Eye away, and their robotic companions.
Max gives a shout as Anri screams a power word from within the elevator. A great clap of thunder is heard as three Metal Claws fall to the lift floor. Within the shaft, secret doors had opened, disgorging a number of the robotic enemy into the air where they descended upon the two chosen to guard the team's only means of exit.
"We're fine, we can take them! We've sliced up hundreds of robots in our time! We'll hold this area, go!" Max shouts as the heavy lift door closes and seperates your battle from theirs.
First Room: http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3994/megiddofloor28a1yo6.png
>Your move.

In response to the flickering lightning above, the holy knight of Mitula is wreathed in illumination. His eyes narrow as he glances around at the enemy, then he speaks in a stern voice, “Ancient, I was told that you wield authority over this fell realm, make use of it.” His eyes narrow as his jaw locks, tangible wisps of power flowing around him and visibly strengthening him, “The fiends before us are Maw Demons, vicious pit spawn that feast endlessly. Faralon, do you more knowledge of them?” He then breathes a prayer and a shielding aura surrounds him.
[Knowledge(Planes): 15 + 7 = 22]
[Divine Shield]
[Power Surge]
[Five Foot Step to the west.]
The Paladin takes a step to the side, giving him a clear view of one of the fiends. His eyes smolder with anger as he looks upon it, he speaks in cold authority. “Destroy them.”

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Mon Jun 25, 2007 5:01 am
Gabriel looks around, eyes picking up little. However, his keen ears usually miss little, and even now their sensitivity shows. ((Spot: 1d20 +7 (ranks) +3 (wis) = 18 Listen: 1d20 +10 (ranks) +3 (wis) = 31))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:44 am
Gail and her team enter a long hallway, doors set into the cold metal. It is eeriely silent. ((The gray markers are doors.)) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/VoxPVoxD/Megiddo29b1.png ------ Gabriel strains his ears, hearing faint sounds in the shadows before a cold female voice whispers in his ear.
"They are coming for you..."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:46 am
Sorel makes a quick gesture and a bolt of electricity lances between two of the ancient relics in the distance. ((Arc of Lightning cast. 47 electrical damage, REF DC 22 for half))

Posted by: Cyrus Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:46 am
Gail's brow furrows as she peers through the dim lights spread sparsely throughout the corridor, barely able to make out the presence of the doors lining the metal hall. Satisfied with her own attempt at surveillance, she turns to her unit, only to stop, noticing she had missed something blindingly obvious. "I apologize for stopping, but...with the exception of Ignatius, I've realized I know none of your names." She pauses for a moment, calming herself before any sign of her embarrassment could arise. "Perhaps if you told me such, along with your roles in your previous groups, I could make more effective use of the time we have and the tactics we're sure to employ."
-----
The minotaur scoffs at his leader's question, wondering briefly what could have happened had she completely forgotten, before he replies. "Castor," he says gruffly, crossing his arms impatiently. "Front-line charger. I knock them down before they can set themselves up."

Posted by: Alpha Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:39 pm
Looking closer at the glass panel, Tanis wipes at it with a paw, trying to clear the dust obscuring what's inside.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:58 pm
"My name is Damas," the elf says with a grin. "I'm a magic user. My spells are mostly offensive, but I do have a few defensive spells that may just come in handy." ----- "I am primarily a melee combatant," the tiefling says flatly. "My skills consist of lock picking, finding and disarming traps, acrobatics, and stealth." Kayla crosses her arms over her chest. "I am also knowledgeable about humanoid anatomy."

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:20 pm
"Someone's there," the half-giant growled, his hands gripping his greatsword tightly.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:22 pm
Tanis: The glass protects what a picture of what looks like a family in Ancient garb... the detail is exquisite and lifelike! Your first thought is that a master painter must've labored over this picture to make it so realistic before you realize that it doesn't look like paints were used in its production. However it was made, the picture is almost as if someone took a snapshot of this scene from the past.
The picture shows a tall man with dark hair and a powerful build, smiling as he embraces his wife, who in turn holds a blanket-swaddled infant to her chest. The man is clad in an Ancient military uniform and the woman is dressed in a simple white dress. The woman smiles as well, though hers seems more of gentle contentment rather than the boisterous happy pride contained in the soldier's smile.

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:22 pm
"Mine is locked," the dwarf said. "Langston could open it, though... he's good at things like that." "Then search another locker," the elf said, moving to the locker next to Langston, "and let him handle that one. And everyone, see if there's a hidden panel behind some sort of glass... there was one in the first one I checked, but it was broken and empty. Take anything that's worth anything, be it weapons or jewelry or even rope."
Moving to the right of the bladesinger, Graigus attempted to open yet another locker.
((... huh. Strength checks for both Ash and Graigus to force open the lockers are... natural 20's. I'll host the screenshot of the madness eventually.))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:02 pm
"Especially rope," Langston noted, scooping up the few trinkets from his locker and showing them to Ash before attempting to open the next. ((Same deal. Sniff first. Open Lock: 15 + 10 + 7 = 32)) --------------------------------- ((
Knowledge (Geography) 8 + 15 + 5 = 28 to learn anything interesting from examining the globe.))
Isyndel Rhoe'wyn watched the globe before her carefully, pacing a few steps from side to side in her examination while listening to Kayla's response. After the tiefling finished, she continued her examination for several seconds before replying.
"Noted. Would you prefer I address you as primarily melee combatant then?" the Wizardess spoke, only turning her head for a brief second in examination of her and of Mahler who had not replied as of yet. "All useful skills," she mused, continuing as she studied the globe further. "Even your knowledge in anatomy could proof useful here should we find any human remains."
((No matter what Kayla's reply is, Isyndel is going to ask her to check the remaining doors. Just giving you a heads up if you want to act on it Jess, as I'm going out to softball soon and then likely won't be on again until tomorrow afternoon.
Current Orders: Search room, look for any clues that may determine which way to go, that sort of thing.))
It was then that she heard Zook's voice, and spun on her heels, her eyes darting about the room to find him. "Zook," she called. "Are you safe?"

Posted by: Tarethen Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:31 pm
Farain looked in his locker and frowned slightly. "Nothing here," the centaur said as he closed the locker doors again. "Any more to check?"

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:25 am
"Oh, I forgot to tell you my name. How silly of me. It's Kayla." Kayla searches the doors first, as she was asked to. [Search check: 36]

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:30 am
"A couple more... check on the other side of Langston. Say... what are your names anyway?" Ashathel asked, looking at the monk and the ranger. "Graigus Stonemead," the drunken master replied. "Ashathel Faesaen," the bladesinger replied.

Posted by: Tarethen Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:42 am
"Farain Leysen," the centaur replied as he moved to another locker, attempting to open the doors."

Posted by: Alpha Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:04 am
: "My name is Tanis Nedassar," the fatespinner replies absently, distracted by what he can see. He pauses before the continues. "You should look at this. It's doesn't appear to be anything of particular value, but the way the image has been captured is facinating none the less."
[Appraise (just in case) = 1d20 + 7 = 22]

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:05 am
By this time Zook had pulled himself to his feet, safely stowing the ancient device back in his satchel. At Isyndel's call he looks up, eyes wide and wary. "This place is haunted," he says. "I don't like it, not one bit." He shivers despite being covered in sweat. He shakes his head rapidly, as if attempting to dislodge the thought. "What'd you find out from the globe?"

Posted by: FreedomJu Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:55 pm
"Van Akei", the village warrior replies simply. "I'm rather good at using this," he lifts up his guisarme slightly for Gail to see, "to trip the enemy."

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:45 am
"Kayla," the wizardess repeated, before stating her own name with a nod in response. The wizardess showed no signs of surprise or doubt at the Tinker's reply; if he stated such then that was simply how it was. "The world, pre-apocalypse. I cannot fathom the purpose of all that it reveals; the technology shown is beyond me. The world's features read like a book beyond all of that; the continental drift is clear enough evidence. Nothing that is of any use in our descent, sadly."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:08 am
Zook tilts his head, thinking. "This floor is dedicated to sorting the information sent in from outside the base, from sensors and field radio. If I had to guess, I'd say the globe functions as sort of a real-time world map, monitoring troop movements, weather patterns, the like. I'd love some time to study it," he shrugs, "But I don't really want to stay in one place any longer than we need to. Let me take one more crack at shutting down the sensors and radio."
The tinker approaches the terminal, takes a few deep, calming breaths, and cracks his knuckles like a pianist. Zook gives the computer the absolute best effort his talents can provide.
((Use Technological Device: http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o297/AlphaAlec/yeoldescreenshot.png
20 + 10 + 31 = 61))

Posted by: Cyrus Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:00 am
[Seeing as it looks like Knight's not going to react, I'll just assume she gets their names and move the group along.] Gail nods, committing the information to memory before returning to the task at hand. "Excellent; I'm sure we shall need everyone's skills if we are to be successful." She then collects her thoughts before proceeding, her gaze hardening as she begins. "We all know the name of our mission and the weight it carries, so I see no reason in repeating it. Seeing as we have no way to judge the time our enemy has ahead of us, I want to move forward as quickly as possible. We can't waste time searching everywhere and everything...our goal is too important to do so. However, unless we're fortunate enough to stumble onto a map - or what passes for one, here - then we have no choice but to do exactly that." She pauses, waving a hand to the numerous doors behind her. "I wish to locate our way through this complex as soon as possible, and to do so, we have to begin here. I want everyone to pick a room - excluding Damas and Van, who will be watching the corridor ahead in case our nemesis arrives, to prevent an ambush in their advantage. Look for anything of use or import; if we can shorten our trip through this place even slightly, it will be a boon to us all. If one of us does find the stairs, call the rest, and we will continue on after informing Sir Ashathel of their presence." Considering her orders complete, Gail moves to a nearby door, opening it as the others move towards their own.
[5 doors for 5 members - sounds fair enough to me. Assign whomever you want to whichever you want, doesn't matter as long as we have Van and Damas acting as alarms for the party in case the Drowned Eye pop up while we search away.]

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:47 am
Zook stumbles his way through the alien system that is a computer network, his keen intelligence and astounding luck enabling him to enter just the right sequence of commands. The floor's lighting flickers and goes off for a moment as the monitors shut off, one by one. The only luminiscence comes from Laika's fiery gloves.
Zook looks up, and gulps audibly. "Oh dear..."
A single monitor, the one at Zook's workstation then lights up again. One by one the monitors turn back on, though the lightning doesn't. They uniformly show the view from a single camera of an internal hallway. A tall man, completely covered in a strange black facemask and overcoat walks down the hall. Zook recognizes that he was wearing the uniform of an Ancient General as well as some sort of breath mask or full-head helmet.
Suddenly he stops and faces the camera, emergency lightning glinting off the glass eyepieces set into the mask. The camera's view shows only static. And for a few moments, all the computers show static.
A low laughter booms around the area, sinister and demonic.
A loud shriek echoes from the walls as a scrabbling sound is heard along the floor.
The tinker giggles nervously. "So...which one of you is t-trying to scare me?" He fumbles in the dark for a small device attached to his belt.
Zook suddenly feels a claw slice into his side as a grotesque monster erupts from the dark with a tormented scream. The creature has two skeletal heads and appears to be composed of bloody flesh and chunks of bone. Two massive scythelike claws extend from its sides.
((Zook takes 15 damage))
A chorus of pained wails assault the ears of the group as softly glowing forms rise from the floor at the appearance of the monsters. Terrible wounds mar the incorporeal forms of what appear to be Ancient technicians.
They float toward you, hands outstretched eagerly, hungrily.
Zook screams in pain as he pulls the plasma pistol off of his belt, stepping back and firing three times. In his panic, only the first shot lands, a bolt of blue fire slamming into the monstrosity.
((one hit, two misses. monster takes 18 fire damage))
Telanna swiftly strikes her bracers together, the room filling with brilliant light.
((Daylight cast on Telanna. Bright light out 60', dim light out to 120'. Anything that takes a penalty in bright light takes that penalty))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:23 am
Gail and Castor open their doors to find another barracks, this one partially caved in in several places. As soon as they swing the doors open, an audible click is heard as a trio of machines turn in their direction and spit out a hail of bullets! One gun's stream of fire strikes the wall next to Gail, but another pierces through her armor into her chest, periously close to her heart. Castor finds blood spraying from his body as another sentry gun nicks an artery in his bull neck.
((Nat 20. Confirmed. Critical Hit! 50 damage to Castor. Nat 20. Nat 20. Confirmed Upgraded Critical Hit! 69 damage to Gail. Nat 1. Unconfirmed. Regular miss.))
Ignatius finds his door is locked while Rhizor's seemed to be barred or braced shut from the other side.
Merkass opens his door to see a room that was once a comfortable set of living quarters, but all the furnishings have been smashed to pieces and skeletal corpses litter the room. A pair of ethereal forms shed soft light on the room. In odd uniforms, torn and shredded, they are recognizable as human ghosts, stil bearing their death wounds. Oozing cuts deep into neck and gut stand out on the pair as they draw incorporeal sabres and pistols. One ghost, bearded and scarred yells at Merkass, "You may destroy us, but we won't go easily, monster!"
((Any living creature within 60 feet that views a ghost must succeed on a Fortitude save or immediately take 1d4 points of Strength damage, 1d4 points of Dexterity damage, and 1d4 points of Constitution damage. A creature that successfully saves against this effect cannot be affected by the same ghost’s horrific appearance for 24 hours. The DC is 18 for all ghosts in Megiddo unless otherwise noted. ))
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4927/megiddo29b2dh7.png
--------
The horrible appearance of the ghosts reaches into everyone's hearts and stirs the fear of death in them....
((Everyone must make a Fort save for each ghost as stated above.))
Another one of the gory two headed monsters pulls itself out of the air in front of Laika, slashing at the wolfman with its twin claws. Thin gashes are inflicted on Laika's belly. Kayla nimbly dodges aside when another of the monsters attempts to do the same to her.
((Hit, Hit. 29 damage over two hits before DR. Miss, Miss.))
Gabriel, Aurik, Laika, and Gorrik feel their strength leaving their bodies as ghosts near them reach through their armor and touch the skin underneath, drinking deeply of their life force.
((Gabe takes 2 Str damage, Laika takes 2 Str damage, Gorrik takes 4 Str damage, Aurik takes 4 Str damage.))
Kyoji too, is struck at, but his invisibility enables him to avoid the blow.

Posted by: Rusty Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:58 am
*Ombligo, horrified by the vision before him, angrily casts a spell on the corrupted souls and robots before him. Black tentacles flood out from the floor, wrapping around the limbs of the undead and the robots in the vicinity of the spell.*
((Ombligo casts E.'s Black Tentacles!
Lasts 1 round/level [13 rounds]
No save, no SR
Each tentacle is 10 feet long. Every creature within the area must make a grapple check, opposed by the grapple check of the tentacles. The tentacles are immune to all types of damage. Once the tentacles grapple an opponent, they may make a grapple check each round on your turn to deal 1d6 + 4 points of bludgeoning damage. The tentacles continues to crush the opponent until the spell ends or the opponent escapes.
Grapple checks:
Top Drowned Eye: 13 [grapple] + 13 [CL] + 8 [STR] = 34
Steel Claw: 8 + 13 + 8 = 29
Bottom Drowned Eye: 19 + 13 + 8 = 40
Torch Eye: 12 + 13 + 8 = 33
Ombligo's Black Tentacles:
))
*Faralon casts a spell, no effect having occurred...yet...*
((Casting Harmony. If I can start up a bardic song as a move action rather than a standard action, then I will do that. [For a total of +5 morale bonus to attack and damage, and +6 morale bonus to saves vs. fear and charm effects - this is thanks to Chaos Music and Harmony] If I can't, then he will merely stand still.
Also...Knowledge checks:
Demon thingy: 33
Steel Claw: 31
Drowned Eye: 22
What does Faralon know?))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:10 pm
[Fortitude saves, huh? Kayla: 16 + 6 = 22 Kethra: 8 + 11 = 19] There are a few things I want to know before I post my actions. 1.) Does this monster have a miss chance?
2.) I know Two-Weapon Fighting allows you to make an extra attack with your off-hand, but both attacks carry penalties. What I want to know is do you use your highest attack bonus for both attacks? My BAB is sitting at +8/+3 right now, and it says nothing about it in the entry, so that's why I asked. I wanted to be sure.]

Posted by: Punch Rockgroin Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:58 pm

QUOTE (Dark Maiden @ Wed Jun 27, 2007 11:10 am)
1.) Does this monster have a miss chance?

((You have to wait and see. Acting based on OoC knowledge we have is bad... that being said.))
"Does anyone know wha' these things are? Or even wha' they can do?" Gorrik belts out, hoping someone can give the group some insight.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Jun 27, 2007 6:12 pm
[I'm not taking actions based on OOC knowledge. I just wanted to know so I could roll it, since TUM usually lets us roll ourselves. I guess it doesn't really matter though. I could always roll it later if he says it has a miss chance. There is still that second question that I need answered, though.]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:08 pm

QUOTE (Dark Maiden @ Wed Jun 27, 2007 6:12 pm)
[I'm not taking actions based on OOC knowledge. I just wanted to know so I could roll it, since TUM usually lets us roll ourselves. I guess it doesn't really matter though. I could always roll it later if he says it has a miss chance. There is still that second question that I need answered, though.]

((Highest bonus. I will be rolling the miss chance.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:52 am
[Thanks for letting me know. ] Kayla draws both of her swords from their sheathes in one fluid motion. She responds to the monster's attempt to harm her with two attacks of her own. [Attack 1: 12 + 8 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) - 2 (TWF) = 26 Damage: 6 + 9 (Holy) + 1 (Strength) + 1 (Weapon) = 17
Attack 2: 8 + 8 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 3 (Weapon) - 2 (TWF) = 24
Damage: 2 + 1 (Str) + 3 (Weapon) = 6]
Kethra attacks the monster with a flurry of blows.
[Attack 1: 6 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 19
Damage: 6 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) = 18
Attack 2: 18 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 31
Damage: 15 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) = 27
Attack 3: 5 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 18
Damage: 15 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) = 27
Attack 4: 20 + 6 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 28
Damage: 9 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) = 21
Attack 5: 8 + 1 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 11
Damage: 12 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) = 24
Even though I'm almost sure only 2 & 4 hit, I rolled damage anyway, like I always do, just in case, so I don't have to worry about it later. ]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:15 am
"What would you have me do, paladin? Ask them nicely to leave my old base? This place isn't exactly the same as I left it," Gilliam remarks, firing his chaingun at the Maw Demon, rewarded with a terrible howl as a burst found its mark. ((Hit, Miss. 30 damage to the Maw Demon.))
Electricity crackles between a Metal Claw and a Drowned Eye, though the skeleton takes cover behind the console. The control panels struck by the arc spark and send out gouts of black smoke as they are ruined.
((Save failed and passed.))
The Torch Eye and a Drowned Eye are held fast by the grappling tentacles, but the Metal Claw and the other skeleton manage to break out of the writhing field.
Faralon casts his spell, remembering that the Maw Demons can swallow a person whole with their tremendous mouths, but that they aren't particularly well defended with no scales or hide beyond their flabby pink skin.
Bullets richochet off the hull of the rusting hulk of a once proud heavy bomber as a skeleton fails to strike Cedric. Pain shoots through Faralon as he is struck, though. Then a second volley strike Cedric in the side of the neck and Faralon directly in the chest! The pair are jolted far nearer to death by the unlucky turn of events.
((Miss, Hit. Nat 20. Confirming... Nat 20. Confirming... Upgraded Critical Hit! 121 damage to Faralon. Nat 20. Confirming... Confirmed! Critical Hit! 61 damage to Cedric!))
Gilliam grunts as a Maw Demon charges him, trying to take a bite out of his steel shell.
((Hit! 16 damage to Gilliam after DR.))

Posted by: Cyrus Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:34 am
Gail gasps at the sudden shock that greets her, the slick feeling of blood welling up in her mouth as the hail of bullets manages to puncture a lung. Recovering from the blow, she charges the machine, attempting to knock it over before it turns its sight onto a less hardy party member.
[Overrun attempt on the north machine gun: attempt to knock machine gun prone.
STR check = 1d20(18)+4(STR)+2(charge)=24.]
Castor grunts at the cutting of his flesh, charging the mounted gun to put an end to its operation permanently.
It's more of a stumble, really...
[Charge the north gun emplacement.
Attack roll: 1d20(1).
Confirm: 1d20(8)+12(BAB)+8(STR)+5(weapon)+2(charge)=35.]

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:34 am
Sorel steps sideways, and hunches down. Beneath the wings of the ship he sees the Steel Claw struck by lightning moments before. He murmurs words of age and decay, pointing at it. A warm breeze blows throughout the room, and the robot creaks, spots of rust spreading over it like sores. A moment later and it falls to pieces; all that remains is a pile of ancient, rusted scrap on the floor of the hangar.
((10' right, Crumble on the Steel Claw to the right of the bomber. 46 damage destroys it))

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:00 am

QUOTE (TheUnknownMarine @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:15 am)
"What would you have me do, paladin? Ask them nicely to leave my old base? This place isn't exactly the same as I left it," Gilliam remarks, firing his chaingun at the Maw Demon, rewarded with a terrible howl as a burst found its mark. ((Hit, Miss. 30 damage to the Maw Demon.))

Cedric coughs up blood, streaks of crimson running down his neck and from between his teeth. In a garbled voice, he spits out his reply, "You're the Ancient, you tell me." He then lets forth a mighty steam of blows aganist the fiend before him.
[Full Power Attack]
[All Damage is Good Aligned]
[13 + 27 + 4 - 13 = 31]
[Damage: 7 + 15 + 2 + 1(Sonic) + 2(Elec) + 13 + 26 [PA] = 63 + 1 Sonic + 2 Elec]
[4 + 22 + 4 - 8 = 22]
[13 + 17 4 + 9 - 3 = 31]
[Damage: 1 + 15 + 2 + 4(Sonic) + 5(Elec) + 14 + 6 [PA] = 28 + 4 Sonic + 5 Elec]
(Figured he wouldn't have noticed what happened to Faralon. )

Posted by: Rusty Thu Jun 28, 2007 1:25 pm
((If Mass Bear's Endurance is still in effect, as Aurik or Rhizor? cast it earlier, Faralon's still alive, I think. Passed the FORT save vs. massive damage. (12 + 8 + any buffs = yeah.) If not, Faralon's dead.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:02 pm
((So... yeah. People looking in lockers. Good times, good times...))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:35 pm
((It's been about 12 minutes since the battle, so you've got 2 minutes left of BE.)) Langston opens the locked locker that Graigus couldn't open and finds inside another untouched glass case with a gun and clip of ammunition. He also finds a necklace with a golden sun on it, as well as a leather wallet filled with odd plastic cards. Other than that it's filled with clothes and the occasional book.
((Found Ancient gold necklace.))
The other lockers are not locked, and are opened fairly easily. They all contain the uniforms and most have a book or two in them, but a few odd devices are also found in the mis-mash of trinkets. Two small inch thick flat slabs of metal with a smooth, dark glass surface, a small cylinder of metal, and a pair of dark glasses are found among the clothes. A small bag containing a smaller amount of papers is also found.

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:32 pm
((Merkass becomes level 15 (Scout 4/Ranger 2/SoK 2/FH 6)! HP increase by 11! BAB increases by 1! FORT increases by 1! REF increases by 1!
WILL increases by 1!
Hide increases by 1!
Move Silently increases by 1!
Spot increases by 2!
Tumble increases by 1!
Damage Reduction increases to 7/-!
Spell Resistance increases to 21!
))
*Merkass is suddenly beset with fear, the chill of death gripping his heart. His resolve returns to him swiftly, and he gazes at the specters with narrowed eyes.*
"Who are you, and what do you want?"
*Merkass steps back from the doorway cautiously, readying his bow at his side. He glances around quickly with his eyes, sensing for more presences in the stinking, undead infested base.*
((FORT 1: 1d20 + 13 + 2 = 8 + 15 = 23.
FORT 2: 1d20 + 15 = 10 + 15 = 25.
Merkass utilizes Nemesis to discern the number and location of evil presences within 60' of him. Barriers do not obstruct this sense.))

Posted by: FreedomJu Fri Jun 29, 2007 11:54 pm
Van's attention is immediately directed from his sentry duty to Castor and Gail when he hears the automatic gunfire followed by the two warriors charging into the room, leaving behind some of their blood. Frowning, the guisarme user swiftly moves closer to one of the doorways, prepared to aid his allies..
((Van moves up with a double move action to one spot left of Castor's position on the map and next to the wall.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:52 am
Much like Van, Damas' attention is also drawn away from sentry duty when he hears the gunfire, and sees Castor and Gail rush off into the rooms. The elven sorcerer frowns and swiftly moves towards the door that Gail went through. [Damas moves 60' East, and that's it.]

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:04 am
Undaunted, the half-giant layed into the very tangible creature next to him, trusting his allies to eliminate the ghostly apparition. ((Gabe's Fort save is more than +18 (considering the buffs still in place), so with the 12 and 13 he rolled he passes the fear saves. And apparently Animal Growth is still in effect, so Gabe should be Large instead of Medium.
Attack whatever the hell that is to the east of him, above Kria. Cleave and redirect to the Ghost if he takes that thing down.
Atk: 1d20 +14 (bab) +13 (str) +1 (wpn) -5 (pa) = 38
Dmg: 4d6 +1 (wpn) +19 (str) +10 (pa) = 46
Atk: 1d20 +9 (bab) +9 (str) +1 (wpn) -5 (pa) = 28
Dmg: 4d6 +1 (wpn) +19 (str) +10 (pa) = 46
Atk: 1d20 +4 (bab) +9 (str) +1 (wpn) -5 (pa) = 19
Dmg: 4d6 +1 (wpn) +19 (str) +10 (pa) = 46
Yes, I rolled 16 on 4d6 for all three. Creepy.
I blame the ghosts...))
==========
((I think we're done... if there are more lockers to check, I'll leave it to Langston to open and check them.))
After scanning all the lockers, Ashathel proceeded to exit the room, taking the group with him (and leaving Langston to finish up, if need be)... only to find Gail's group under fire, the paladin and the minotaur bleeding in several places.
"Someone's trying to give Castor new holes to breathe out of," Ashathel sighed, drawing his blade. "Aurik, tend to his wound, and Farain back him up with ranged support. I'm going to cover Gail; the rest of you head down the other corridor and see what you can do to assist whoever else might be there."
<}--{ Team Dragon }--{>
Leader: Ashathel
Members:
(O) Graigus
(O) Farain
(O) Langston
(O) Aurik
(O) Tanis

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:50 am
Isyndel let out a yelp that she quickly muffled at the sudden appearance of the ghosts. Girding herself, she raised her hands in front of her defensively as she quickly unleashed multiple missiles at the one directly north of her. ((Magic Missile = 20 damage.))
==========================================
Langston looks carefully over the items he finds, unsure what several of them are for. Most particularly he spends a moment looking into the papers, giving them a once over before hearing Ash call out for orders. Throwing everything into his bag, the rat dashes down the corridor as ordered.
((Yep, move wherever onto that map; I'm assuming we're coming from the right side. The rat gets as far as he can get.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:50 am

QUOTE (Rusty @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:25 am)
((If Mass Bear's Endurance is still in effect, as Aurik or Rhizor? cast it earlier, Faralon's still alive, I think. Passed the FORT save vs. massive damage. (12 + 8 + any buffs = yeah.) If not, Faralon's dead.))

(Faralon's still alive then.)

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:34 am
Gail manages to knock her sentry gun over, the weapon clattering against the floor, as its barrel tries to move against the floor. After a few seconds, a safety device goes on and the gun shuts down. Castor barges in, his flesh riddled with bullets as the two sentry guns train on the stumbling minotaur. Luckily his near-fall makes him dodge the brunt of the bursts.
((Total of 28 damage on Castor.))
Langston only manages to figure out the bag contains letters before he hears the gunfire and rushes on.
The faces of the ghosts twist in rage as Merkass asks his question.
"We want you to get off our world, stinking demon!" one roars as he charges with his sabre. The ethereal weapon passes into Merkass and chills his blood as the other soldier fires on him with a ghostly pistol. The bullets strike Merkass, but rather than leave open wounds, the flesh where they touch is frozen and numb. Ignatius whirls around and starts shaking badly, the blood draining from his face as he barely manages to shoot a blast off at one of the ghosts. A bit of ectoplasm dissipates from the ghost as Ignatius tries and fails to speak.
((Hit, miss, hit, miss. 23 damage total to Merkass. Ignatius fails both horror saves and takes 4 points of Str and Dex damage, as well as 7 points of Con damage.))
Map:
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/7519/megiddo29b3qx6.png
Next turn!
-------
Zooks burns a small wound in his foe as Kayla slices two thin red lines across hers. Suddenly the creature in front of Kayla howls as Kethra delivers two shocking blows to the thing's backside, electricity crackling around the monster.
Gabriel's blade cleaves into the grotesque amalgamation of flesh in front of him, but on the third swing, the blade passes through the monster without damage as if it were made of air.
Kyoji makes short work of his ghostly opponent, the legendary Doom Blade slicing through the ectoplasm as if it were flesh. The ghost screams and collapses before dissipating into nothingness.
Perhaps shocked by the appearance of the ghosts, Kria, Laika, Sulia, and Mahler stand stone still. ((Full defense for all inactives.))
The rest of the ghosts advance forward, grasping weakly at the living before them. However, despite their stunned state, all but Gabriel manages to avoid them. The half giant shudders as a chill touch brushes his arm.
((Thanks to full defense, only Gabe was hit. Gabriel is drained of 2 points of Strength.))
The abominable flesh monster claw at those in close quarters to them, but only three strikes land, the skilled Force managing to avoid the rest.
((Hit, Miss, Hit, Miss, Hit, Miss. Zook and Kayla are hit for 10 damage each. Gabriel is hit for 11 damage.))
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/2608/megiddofloor30a4mw1.gif
Next turn

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:49 pm
Kethra attacks the monster once again with a flurry of blows. [Attack 1: 12 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 25 Damage: 8 + 2 (Str) + 10 = 20 electrical Attack 2: 6 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 19. Miss. Attack 3: 1 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 14. Miss.
14 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 27. Botch Avoided.
Attack 4: 3 + 6 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 11. Miss.
Attack 5: 15 + 1 (BAB) + 2 (Str) = 18. Miss.
I was unsure if 1 hit or not, so I rolled damage, but I'm positive all other attacks missed. ]
-----
Damas stops and turns as he hears someone or something yell. The elf freezes when he sees the ghost, and the fear of death grips him. Damas' resolve returns to him, however, but he backs away slightly. Seeing that Merkass and Ignatius seem to be in trouble, Damas weaves magic about him and speaks in the language of magic. A glowing orb appears in his hand and he hurls it at the ghost.
[Fortitude Save: 13 + 8 = 21. Passed.
Damas moves to the space next Van and gives a nice Force Orb to said ghost. ^_^
Ranged Touch Attack: 18 + 7 (BAB) + 3 (Dex) = 28. Hit.
Damage: 6+1+2+3+5+3+6+1+5+3 = 35]

Posted by: FreedomJu Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:16 pm
Van briefly twists his head to glance behind when after Damas launches his spell and freezes at the sight of the ghost. However, he quickly pushes aside his moment of shock and fear before rushing into the room. Seeing Castor already trying to take down one of the sentry guns, Van quickly makes his way towards the other one and attempts to trip it.
((14+11= 25 FORT Save against ghost
25' total move should put me just in range of my guisarme of the left-most sentry gun. Going to trip it.
Trip Hit=10(d20)+12(BAB)+1(Enchantment)+5(STR)+1(Focus)+4(Sweeping)=33
STR Check: 17+5+4=26
Dodge to the gun I'm tripping))

Posted by: Alpha Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:10 pm
Tanis moves up the field to aid his comrades. [Double move. 14 squares left, 2 squares down]

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:58 pm
Seeming not to notice the wound, Zook steps back and fires off three more shots. ((5' north, three shots at the mutant. To-hits of 31, 26, and a natural 20 (confirm total is 16). Attacks ignore any armor bonus to AC. Damages: 15, 13, and 14 fire))
Telanna steps away from the ghost, bringing her fist down and forcing a bolt of lightning to arc between it and the mutant.
((5' north, Arc of Lightning on the ghost and mutant. 52 lightning damage, REF DC 22 for half. Note that this isn't an AoE for the ghost, because it's a designated target))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:52 am

QUOTE (Kaihaku @ Sat Jul 07, 2007 6:50 pm)
(Faralon's still alive then.)

Posted by: Cyrus Sat Jul 28, 2007 7:44 am
Castor, picking himself back up, restarts his failed assault on the machine gun. Driven more on desperation than on skill, he lunges at the automatic assailant, aiming to split the chamber wide open in order the stop the vicious buzz of flying metal.
[Full attack on machine gun.
Attack 1: 1d20(6)+12(BAB)+9(STR)+5(weapon)=32.
Damage: 1d12(8)+1d6(6{fire})+14(STR)+5(weapon)=33.
Attack 2: 1d20(7)+7(BAB)+9(STR)+5(weapon)=28.
Damage: 1d12(6)+1d6(6{fire})+14(STR)+5(weapon)=31.]
64 damage to machine gun.
-----
Having downed the obstacle, Gail picks up the sounds of battle behind her, whirling around to rush back into the main corridor. As she rounds the edge, she spies the conflict, Merkass facing off against a pair of indignant ghosts. Her brow furrows as she prepares to disable them, pulling the gold chain on her neck to bring her holy symbol out from under her armor.
[Double move - 4 south, 2 southwest, 5 west.]

Posted by: Knight_019 Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:50 am
((Unfortunately, I'm going to have to wait until I get home today to make my action. I don't have the levelled up characters here (and never got them posted online), and I don't have the resources (XP tallies or time) to do the updates here. I should have something by tomorrow evening. Sorry.))

Posted by: Punch Rockgroin Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:06 pm
((We decided that Aurik's mass spells are still in effect, right? Gorrik and Laika each attack something next to them.)) GORRIK Attack Axe: D20(13) + 13(BAB) + 6(STR) + 2(Axe) + 1(BS) - 2(STR) - 2(PA) = 31
Axe: D20(10) + 7(BAB) + 6(STR) + 2(Axe) + 1(BS) - 2(STR) - 2(PA) = 22
Axe: D20(10) + 3(BAB) + 6(STR) + 2(Axe) + 1(BS) - 2(STR) - 2(PA) = 18
Damage
Axe: D10(10) + 5(STR) + 2(Axe) + 2(PA) = 19
Axe: D10(2) + 5(STR) + 2(Axe) + 2(PA) = 11
Axe: D10(1) + 5(STR) + 2(Axe) + 2(PA) = 10
-------------
LAIKA
Attack
Claw: D20(16) + 12(BAB) + 7(STR) - 1(STR) - 4(PA) = 31
Claw: D20(12) + 12(BAB) + 7(STR) - 1(STR) - 4(PA) = 27
Bite: D20(5) + 6(BAB) + 3(STR) - 1(STR) - 4(PA) = 9
Damage
Claw: D8(8) + D6(4)fire + 6(STR) + 4(PA) = 22
Claw: D8(8) + D6(5)fire + 6(STR) + 4(PA) = 23
Bite: D6(2) + 3(STR) + 4(PA) = 9

Posted by: Rusty Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:41 am
*Faralon coughs up blood as he speaks.* : "Though I may die here...I will see that you are successful!" *Faralon begins to sing a magnificent song, so good that Rusty can't possibly bother with lyrics.* ((Faralon: Perform check, just because: 16 + 28 = 44.
Bardic music (morale bonus): +10 to Attack and Damage for 3 rounds (after which it fades to +5 to Attack and Damage), +12 to saves vs. charm and fear effects
Move to tip of bomber's wing to gain line of sight. Main target: Steel Claw. Secondary target: Torch Eye. In other words, if any of the attacks fell the Steel Claw, target remaining attacks at Torch Eye.
Faralon's Attack: 13 + 9 [BAB] + 3 [magic + bane] + 6 [DEX + CG] + 10 [music] + 4 [snowsong] = 45.
Damage: 7 (arrow) + 8 (bane) + 3 [magic + bane] + 1 [STR] + 10 [music] = 29.
Ombligo:
Target south Drowned Eye or east one, whichever hasn't been hurt. 3 Lightning Lance's of doom.
Ombligo LL #1: 15 + 6 [BAB] + 4 [DEX + CG] + 10 [music] + 4 [snowsong] = 39 touch. Hit.
Damage: (2 5 4 6 5 5 4 5 4 3 = 43 electric) + (5 5 4 = 14) = possible 57. FORT save DC 25 to halve electric damage only.
LL #2: 14 + 6 [BAB] + 4 [DEX + CG] + 10 [music] + 4 [snowsong] = 38 touch. Hit.
Damage: (2 6 3 4 2 4 2 5 6 3 = 37 electric) + (3 4 3 = 10) = possible 47. FORT save DC 25 to halve electric damage only.
LL #3: 7 + 6 [BAB] + 4 [DEX + CG] + 10 [music] + 4 [snowsong] = 31 touch. Hit.
Damage: (5 1 2 3 6 6 1 4 2 6 = 36 electric) + (2 6 1 = 9) = possible 45. FORT save DC 25 to halve electric damage only.))

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:54 am
((Character sheets will eventually be uploaded. Aurik becomes level 15 (Clr 5/Combat Medic 5/Radiant Servant of Volcanon 5)! HP increase by 6! Heal increases by 1! Knowledge (Religion) increases by 1!
Spellcraft increases by 1!
Spot increases by 1!
Aurik gains the feat Divine Spell Power!
Aurik gains access to the Purification Domain!
Aurik gains 1 level 3 spell!
Aurik gains 1 level 5 spell!
Aurik gains 1 level 8 spell!))
http://magic19.homestead.com/files/aurik.png
((Rhizor becomes level 15 (Druid 15)!
Rhizor gains 10 hp!
BAB increases by 1!
REF increases by 1!
Knowledge (Nature) increases by 1!
Listen increases by 1!
Spellcraft increases by 1!
Spot increases by 1!
Rhizor gains the feat Augment Summoning!
Rhizor gains 1 level 3 spell!
Rhizor gains 1 level 5 spell!
Rhizor gains 1 level 8 spell!
http://magic19.homestead.com/files/rhizor.png
A note:
Mass Bull's Strength (+4 enhancement to STR)
Mass Cat's Grace (+4 enhancement to DEX)
Mass Bear's Endurance (+4 Enhancement to CON)
Mass Shield of Faith (+4 Deflection to AC)
Mass Resist Energy (Fire) (Fire Res 10)
Divine Protection (+1 Morale to AC and Saves)
are all still in effect.))
*Merkass is stunned watching the ghastly blade pass through his body. His body is chilled to the bone, and he feels as though his heart stops for a moment. He is torn between eradicating the ghosts and putting them to peace. He takes but a moment to ascertain their motives. They appear to be warped, stuck in an endless rut from which they cannot escape. They know nothing beyond the repetition of the moments up to their death. There is no reason with them. Merkass lowers his head then slides and somersaults back. In quick succession a volley of arrows is loosed at his ghostly assailants. While they were not evil, their existence was painful for both Merkass and the ghosts, and they must be put down. The first arrow sails throw the ghost, but the rest make some form of contact.*
((Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 + 2 (FE: Undead) = 19 + 4 = 23.
Merkass realizes that while some of Megiddo's ghostly inhabitants might be receptive to reason, these ghosts appear to be driven entirely mad and stuck within a constant replay of the moments up to their deaths. For all intents and purposes, the force is, indeed, a group of rampaging demons.
Merkass takes a 10' as a 5' then rapid shots.
Tumble: 1d20 + 27 + 2 (CG) = 19 + 29 = 48. Pass.
1d20 + 24 + 2 (CG) + 1 (PBS) - 2 (RS) = 19 + 23 = 41.
Miss: 41
1d20 + 23 = 5 + 23 = 28.
Miss: 80
1d20 + 18 = 6 + 18 = 24.
Miss: 57
1d20 + 13 = 2 + 13 = 15.
Miss: 70
Damage
1d8 + 19 + 1 (PBS) + 2 (FE: Undead) + 1d6 = 8 + 6 + 22 = 36.
1d8 + 1d6 + 22 = 3 + 4 + 22 = 29.
1d8 + 1d6 + 18 = 5 + 3 + 22 = 30.
Merkass gains +1 AC due to Skirmish.
Touch AC is 21.))
*Rhizor finishes listening into the room, but hears nothing at all on the other side. Given the ghosts that had erupted from the nearby rooms, he assumes that more await on the other side, and thereby finds it prudent to leave the door alone for now. Instead, he moves toward the others.*
((Rhizor flies 40' toward the center of the hall where the others are))
*Aurik enters, somewhat shocked to find fighting occuring already, and nonetheless against spectral foes. Too far out of range to do much at the moment, Aurik moves toward the center of the commotion.*
((Aurik moves 60' toward the center of the hall.))
((Mahler becomes level 13 (Ftr 1/Pal 4/WJ 2/FoR 5)! (2 levels)
HP increase by 35!
BAB increases by 2!
FORT increases by 1!
STR increases by 1!
Diplomacy increases by 2!
Intimidate increases by 1!
Knowledge (Religion) increases by 2!
Listen increases by 1!
Mahler gains the feat Sanctify Martial Strike!
Mahler gains Smite (Holy)
http://magic19.homestead.com/sfcw/sfcw3/mahler.png))
*Mahler felt out of options. None of the ghosts were in his reach. Gabriel seemed as though he could use aid, however. Mahler outstretches a stony leg as quickly as possible and begins to bound across the metallic floor. Dents begin to appear in the heavily fortified floor, thuds resounding throughout the echoing room. He would be there to help as soon as he could. If only he could move faster.*
((Mahler takes a run action, allowing him to move 60' to the right))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:34 am
Cedric's hammer breaks an arm, then a leg from the massive Maw Demon, bone jutting through pink skin as the creature's gaping mouth now howls in pain. The other Maw Demon near Faralon lets out a strangled gurgled as bullets tear through its head and throat. The hellbeast hits the floor a smoking corpse as Gilliam turns his attention back to the foe in front of him.
((Gilliam gets an upgraded crit for 160 damage, then the second attack hits for 43 damage.))
Ombligo blasts apart one of the Ancient skeletons as another fires on the near death Faralon. Though bleeding from many wounds, the elf still finds the agility to duck behind cover for a moment and avoid the shots.
((Miss, Miss.))
Faralon fires an arrow that lodges in a Torch Eye as the robot skitters towards the other side of the fight, leaving the elf to the Drowned Eye.
Gilliam takes a pair of claw slashes and a powerful bite, but keeps standing after the Maw Demon is finished, narrowly avoiding being locked in the monster's jaws.
With a sickening squelching sound, the Drowned Eye and Torch Eye caught within the tentacles burst free and move out of the writhing field.
Next turn!
http://magic19.homestead.com/SFCW/SFCW4/MegiddoFloor28a4.PNG
-------
Kethra manages to land a single powerful blow on the monster in front of her, fists crackling with energy.
Zook blasts a trio of holes through the monster. Telanna follows this up with a dazzling lightning blast that disintegrates the ghost and severely wounds the monster. The abomination steps forward and seals its fate as Gorrik chops it apart with his axe. The monster falls to the floor, twitching before dissolving into a pile of ash and goo.
Laika dodges as the ghost swipes at him with an outstretching hand, retailating with a single claw slash that manages to connect with the incorporeal form of the being. Kria manages to finish off the ghost with a well placed Eldritch Blast.
The ghosts claw feebly at their opponents, the skilled force dodging the blows easily.
((2 Nat 1s.))
The abomination that Kethra attacked falls to a combination of Kayla's daggers and Sulia's mace. It falls to ash and ooze just as Gabriel slashes apart the other monster.
((The number of PCs I had to move personally >Kayla, Sulia, Kria, Isyndel< was a tad ridiculous. Don't let it happen again, please.))
Next turn!
http://magic19.homestead.com/SFCW/SFCW4/MegiddoFloor30a5.GIF
---------
Castor destroys his sentry gun as Van trips over the other, rendering it harmless as the other one was.
The pair of ghosts are destroyed easily, Ignatius firing off one of his blasts, Damas casting his spell, and Merkass firing arrow after arrow. The ectoplasm of the undead can only take so much and soon they fade from existence with anguished shrieks.
((No real need for a map now. All enemies defeated.))

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:49 am
((Mahler charges ghost by Gabe, PA 5 1d20 + 21 + 3 - 5 = 9 + 19 = 28. Miss: 82 Damage 2d8 + 10 + 5 + 1d6 = 6 + 6 + 2 + 15 = 29.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:55 pm
[Oh, I totally forgot that I didn't take Kayla's action. X_X] Kethra turns to deal with the ghost next, unleashing a flurry of blows on her incorporeal opponent. [Kethra takes a 5ft. step Northeast; Full Attack on the ghost. Attack 1: 20 + 11 (BAB) + 4 (Str) = 35
Damage: 10+1 + 4 (Str) + 10 (Orb) = 25
Attack 2: 8 + 11 (BAB) + 4 (Str) = 23
Damage: 10+2 + 4 (Str) + 10 (Orb) = 26
Attack 3: 18 + 11 (BAB) + 4 (Str) = 33
Damage: 9+3 + 4 (Str) + 10 (Orb) = 26
Attack 4: 16 + 6 (BAB) + 4 (Str) = 26
Damage: 8+9 + 4 (Str) + 10 (Orb) = 31
Attack 5: 4 + 1 (BAB) + 4 (Str) = 9
Dodge to the ghost.]
Kayla moves in to help Kethra deal with the ghost.
[Kayla moves 2 squares Northeast and 2 squares north, and attacks the ghost.
Attack 1: 15 + 8 (BAB) + 8 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) - 2 (TWF) = 30
Damage: 5 + 3 (Str) + 1 (Weapon) + 4 (Holy) = 13
As usual, ignore the Holy damage if it isn't evil.
Attack 2: 7 + 8 (BAB) + 8 (Dex) + 3 (Weapon) - 2 (TWF) = 24
Damage: 3 + 3 (Str) + 3 (Weapon) = 9
Dodge to the ghost, also.]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:29 am
((Damas, Van, Castor, Gail, and Merkass each get 400 XP for resolving their encounters.)) ---- The last of the ghosts falls with a resounding shriek as Kayla stabs it and Mahler smashes the other in unison with Gabriel. For a moment, all is dark and silent in the ancient room. Then a laughing female voice arises from all around.
One by one the monitors that had shown static now resolve into the shimmering icon of a female face, mocking smile and eyes locked onto you.
"Lo....Lo...Look at you hacker..." she croons to Zook, a malfunction in her speech patterns obvious. "A p...p...pathetic creature of meat and bone... Panting and sweating with fear as you run through my corridors... How can you hope to beat an army of perfect, immortal machines and the dead that guard them?"
((Everyone in the room with Zook gains 900 XP, as does Zook.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:11 am
Sorel gestures, and speaks a long word whose syllables sound like the crackling of flames on dry leaves. A column of white fire flares upon the Maw Demon and Steel Claw, stopping right in front of Cedric and Gilliam. ((Flame Strike cast. 49 damage, half fire/half holy, REF DC 23 for half))
Telanna dusts herself off, looking over at the jittery gnome.
: "What the hell is going on?" she demands of him.
Zook's eyes flick over to Telanna briefly. "If I had to guess," he says slowly, "I'd say this place is haunted by some very angry, very nasty ghosts. Don't know what's give me that idea, though." He gets a little closer to the monitor. "Can you hear me?" he says to the artificial intelligence. "What can you tell me about the attack?"
"Yes, I can hear you."
"What can you tell me about the attack?" Zook repeats.
"What is there to know, insect? You walked into a hornet's nest and were surprised to be stung," the being laughs. "My former caretakers met their end in very agonising and painful ways in this place... As a result many of their incorporeal cores were unable to transcend this plane and instead remain here."
"Endless mimicking their demise or lamenting their fa...fa...fate. But bound to this place as sure as I am. It's iron...iron....ironic."
"How do I get the lift working?" Zook asks.
The voice laughs. "You... You... You don't. Try using those le...le...legs of yours on the stairs. Short as they are, they seem to still wo...wo...work."
Zook winces. "Great." He thinks back, remembering the image of an Ancient general that had appeared on the monitors just before the attack. "Which generals are at the base?"
"There's only one general left, insect. You... may be un-un-unlucky enough to meet him, if you continue."
"Fasher." Zook breathes, rubbing his eyes. "Damnit. Damnit. Can you tell me about him? Do you have a dossier on him or something?"
The voice laughs again. "Why would I tell you? You're an in...in...intruder in my perfect and still realm. An in...in...interloper."
"And he isn't?" Zook counters, attempting to reason with the machine. "Only way they leave is if we make them, so if you want to go back to decaying in peace and quiet the best course of action would be to help me."
The voice laughs again, hysterically. "You don't under...under...understand. They are all a part...part...part of me. This base that once teemed with life is now empty of it... All that moves now are machines made of metal or meat."
"You are the im..im..imperfect evolution sprung from the perfection of the past. We are that past. There is nothing left for you but despair."
The image disappears, returning the monitors to their original state.
"Great," Zook mutters. "GREAT!" he shouts, kicking at the base of the console. "I am not going to be sorry to leave here."

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu Aug 02, 2007 3:07 pm
[I posted this in the other topic as well. I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow and will be gone for about a week. Here are the sheets. http://www.geocities.com/celeste_delacroix/damas.html http://www.geocities.com/celeste_delacroix/kayla.html http://www.geocities.com/celeste_delacroix/kethra.html]

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:56 pm
*Merkass shakes his head. What a waste. Bow still in hand and ready, Merkass walks toward the nearby door. He could sense nothing in this infernal place, and his nose was awash with the scent of evil. Merkass focuses, attempting to bring his training to bear. Scents upon scents coalesce like a vision, and sifting through them, he finds nothing different about this door. Throwing caution to the wind, Merkass grabs the door handle, opens the door, and shoves it open as he steps backward.*

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:24 am
Merkass opens the door to reveal row upon row of bunks, skeletal remains scattered around the room. As with the other bunk rooms, there are lockers next to each bunk bed.

Posted by: Knight_019 Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:01 am
*Merkass walks into the room toward the nearest footlocker, and attempts to open it with his foot, watching the skeletal remains warily. Unfortunately, the locker doesn't open from that, requiring a latch to be disengaged. Merkass huffs, then reaches down and attempts to operate the latch. It opens, revealing a pile of mouldering clothes. His nose curls at the stench of the belongings inside the footlocker, but Merkass moves onto the next, triggering the latch on it. He might go through the belongings of the first later, just to make sure nothing is hidden. This chest is locked, however, and it inhibits his progress. Merkass looks back over his shoulder at Ignatius.*
: Ignatius, is it? Can anyone from your group unlock these?

Posted by: Kaihaku Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:05 am
"Sorel, tend to Faralon's wounds!" Cedric cries out, his hammer swinging out thrice at the foul fiend before him, "The rest of you aid me in banishing these fiends back to hell where they belong!" He glances over his shoulder at the noble bard, "Faralon, continue to stand strong, we will need your wisdom and power if this day is to be won! Dying is not acceptable."
[Power Attack 4]
[Attack 1: 13 + 28 + 10 + 4 - 4 = 51]
[Damage: 5 + 18 + 8 + 18 + 10 + 6 [Sonic] + 2 [Elec] = 59 + 6 [Sonic] + 2 [Elec]]
[Attack 2: 15 + 24 + 10 + 4 – 4 = 49]
[Damage: 1 + 18 + 8 + 23 + 10 + 3 [Sonic] + 3 [Elec] = 60 + 3 [Sonic] + 3 [Elec]
[Attack 3: 12 + 19 + 10 + 4 - 4 =
[Damage: 4 + 18 + 8 + 18 + 10 + 3 [Sonic] + 3 [Elec] = 58 + 3 [Sonic] + 3 [Elec]]
[As always, all damage is good aligned.]
[If the fiend falls, Cedric takes a five foot step forward.

Posted by: Cyrus Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:03 pm
Seeing the immediate threat to life dissipate into thin air, the holy warrior replaces the golden symbol, releasing the icon of her faith to fall upon dented and scarred plate. Within moments, the frantic beat of her heart slows, and the pain begins to settle upon her, rising sharply as she wetly coughs blood into her hand. Fantastic work...not even 10 steps inside, and you already nearly killed yourself, not to mention everyone around you. 'Let's open every door we see, that'll get us going much faster!' Was that really all you could think of? Looking over her companions, she is startled by the condition Ignatius was in; his skin matched the color of the spirits they had vanquished, and it looked as though the child was taking great pains to do so much as breathe. Moving to the vandal's side, the knight lays a hand on his shoulder, warm light flowing into him and restoring the vital glow to his face. She smiles as her work is done, before turning to the elf in command of the other squad. "Thank you for your assistance. I'm sorry to say this, but perhaps you should move on ahead? That last...surprise has left a few of us worse for wear then I had anticipated." At that, she turns to Rhizor, saying, "Could you check Castor's wounds? I don't think I can seal them completely with my power." At Merkass's question, Gail looks over, seeing the catfolk poised over an unyielding chest. Furrowing her brow, she sighs glancing over the room the case sat. Was it really important to search this? "Except for Ignatius and I, you would know your comrades better than either of us...though...," she looks over her shoulder, to the other group occupying the room. "Langston, could you come over here? This looks like it requires your talents."
-----
Castor snorts at the concern attached to him, stomping around to poke his head through the portal, one massive hand clasped around the bleeding wound to his neck. "I'm fine. All those things did was nick me," he says, before bringing the covering hand to his face, taken aback to see the palm stained a deep red. "Alright, maybe a little more than nicked..."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:37 am
*Faralon shakes his head at Cedric as he takes cover behind the airship.* : "Maybe Sorel will be better on the offensive. I can still heal myself!" The Maw Demon and the Steel Claw manage to use the massive ship to take cover from Sorel's holy fire, though they are still scorched.
Cedric then smashes apart the demon in front of him, fresh sprays of blood covering the ages-old stains on the floor and walls.
Gilliam's chaingun roars fiery death and one of the Drowned Eye approaching the group is shredded apart by a hail of bullets, bone shards and metal fragments flying apart.
Ombligo casts a Bolt spell and lightning rains down on the Steel Claw.The machine doesn't falter despite sparks crackling across it.
A Torch Eye scurries into view, firing a thin beam of light at Gilliam that pierces his armor.
"Gah... What is that all?" the cyborg mutters as he remains standing despite a breach in his frame. (20 damage to Gilliam.)
The Steel Claw that remains charges Cedric, slashing and tearing with its metal appendage. However, despite a very close call, the paladin parries each blow.
A single burst manages to pierce Cedric's defenses, though, from the gun of a lucky Drowned Eye.
> 43 damage to Cedric after DR.<
KingKai279: -5! 43/
Another burst comes from the gun of another Drowned Eye as it moves forward, tearing into Sorel.
(37 damage to Sorel.)
Cedric lumbers forward and lashes out at the nearby robot, his hammer erupting in electricity and thunder at the blow. Ombligo's second Bolt then causes the Steel Claw to shudder and drop unmoving to the ground.
Sorel's face loses color as he loses blood, but his eyes glow electric blue, and he raises his staff, a bolt of lighting cracking between the two machines.
>51 electrical damage<
Faralon's arrows slice into the Drowned Eye, striking a piece of cybernetics each. The metal device spark and break, damaging the skeleton in turn. The skeleton retaliates with a twin burst from his weapon, the gun buzzing out projectile after projectile.
((Hit, Miss. Faralon takes 33 damage.))
The final Torch Eye moves towards and fires at Gilliam, another thin beam of light lancing towards the cyborg. Gilliam recoils as the beam pierces him on the side of his "neck". (20 damage.)
Cedric dodges aside as more bullets slam into the ground near him.
T
Cedric drops his arms, letting his warsledge hover at his waist. "Faralon, destroy the other undead! This must end now!" The holy knight charges, swinging the hammer in a brutal uppercutting arc at the other drowned eye.
Sorel lays a hand on his wound, attempting to mend the worst of it.
Cedric's hammer breaks more than a few ribs on the undead, the creature sent staggering back by the tremendous blow.
Gilliam levels his chaingun at the Torch Eye in front of him and opens up with a full blast, tearing the machine apart in a matter of seconds.
Faralon's arrows all strike and shatter the Drowned Eye's skull, the warrior falling at last.
The final skeleton steps back and shoots at Cedric, but the knight ducks under the fire only to swing up with his hammer to crush the Ancient soldier. The undead drops and all is suddenly silent in the cavernous hangar once more.
((Gilliam, Ombligo and Sorel gain 2600 XP Cedric and Faralon gain 1500.))

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:51 pm
((Just to breathe some slight life into this...)) *Langston chipperly approaches Gail and looks into the room. In no time, the foot lockers are all opened, but all contain the same as the first: A variety of mouldering clothing and baubles and trinkets which, while of sentimental value to their former owners, were all but useless to the force.*
: We must move on quickly. Where should I look next?

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:50 am
The mountain suddenly shakes, dust falling from the ceiling and debris rattling around within the base as a tremendous impact is felt.

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sat Aug 18, 2007 3:47 pm
"Is there anything else we can do for you before we split up?" the elf asked. "I just want to make sure before the wind tosses the leaves, so to speak."

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:29 pm
*Merkass begins to walk toward the nearest door, when suddenly the building is struck by an enormous tremor. Quickly, Merkass bends at the knees, dropping into a crouching stance, ready to spring away at the sign of danger. More stable, he looks about as the tremors occur. However, no sooner than the shaking began did it end. Merkass slowly stands, looks behind him, then to Gail.*
: Gail, correct? Given the nature of this building, It would be best if we moved quickly after that. I will move ahead.
*Merkass waits for no reply. It was irrelevant. He turns toward the doorway once more and begins to cautiously move through. He sniffs. The air stank like the hides of a thousand dead animal carcasses. Fitting that he would prevent that and more. Merkass clenches his fist around his bow and slinks through the hallway.*
((Hide: 1d20 + 19 = 17 + 19 = 36.
Move Silently: 1d20 + 24 = 13 + 24 = 37.))

Posted by: Alpha Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:42 am
Megiddo: Ash's group "Alright," Ashathel said, once the rat rogue finished his duty. "Best of luck, guys." Tanis walks over, recovered from almost falling over from the impact shock. “So, um, where are going?” he asks. There's a hallway to the south, and two doors unopened.
"We're going to leave you to deal with this area, Gail; we're moving down the hallway. Be more careful next time, for all our sakes."
The hallway continues on for a little while, the next section containing four doors. Two on either side.
"I'll open the door," Graigus said, moving forward.
Nodding, Ashathel gestured to Farain and said "Be ready to fire on anything that doesn't look like it should be there."
((first door on the left.))
With a simple nod, Farain removed an arrow from his quiver, ready to fire if need be.
"Oh, wait, Farain," the catfolk says. He moves forward, casting a quick spell on the centaur's quiver.
((flame arrow cast))
*Aurik follows closely behind, ready to provide aid if need be*
The door opens to reveal row after row of dusty bunks, more lockers scattered around. At the far end, near another door (which looks to be the other hall door on this side), a large number of bunks are tipped over and piled to form a makeshift barrier or two. Skeleton long since dead and cobwebbed lay around these barriers, looking as if they once carried weapons, but were taken away.
Farain lowered his guard only slightly. "Doors, lockers, and bunks. That seems to be all this place is made up of."
"Keep an eye on that barricade and those skeletons; I've had enough run-ins with them since we started to be paranoid for years to come. Everyone else, check up those lockers while we can"
Tanis nods, moving forward to open some of the lockers, ready to cast if need be.
Langston is able to open these lockers as with the others. Though mainly they contain uniforms and personal effects, there is a handful of what may be useful items among them. You find an old silver bracelet, two diamond rings on the fingers of the skeletons, a platinum locket, and a green card.
((TheUnknownMarine: You can now stay in the U.S.A.
IzzyandTento999: ((Can I get a construction job with that?))
TheUnknownMarine: /lolimmagrants))
"Can you see into the other room?" the elf asked. "I want to know if there's anything in there we need to worry about... I doubt the barricade was just for show."
Farain walked over to the barricade and placed a hand on it. "I wonder if it were for keeping something out... or in, maybe."
Peering between the piled bunks, seeing what he can see. But as he moved closer, dust kicked up into the dwarf's eye, obscuring his vision. "Pah..."
((Arc fails with a natural 1. Apparantly he pees in his own eye))
The bunks act as barricades in the cover sense, not made to block the door, but rather to provide cover for those behind them. These are makeshift defenses, not door blockers. Farain notes that the bunks have burn and claw marks all over them in the barricades.
*With the disturbance of the room and bodies, Aurik takes a secondary look around, listening in on anything that may be out of the ordinary. In this place, however, out of the ordinary is quite a loose term.*
((13 Listen 30 Spot. Nothing))
*Aurik sighs.* "If we've lingered here long enough, I suggest we move on. It's too quiet and dead here."
"Alright... let's move forward," Ashathel said, his force blade glowing in his hand as he stepped over the barricades into the next room.
The monk followed, staff in hand as he moved.
Farain ran his fingers along a claw mark and then sighed. "Whoever, or whatever, was here isn't anymore..." He followed quietly behind the others in the the next room.
Tanis follows with the others, looking all around at the surroundings, so that he’d remember this place later on.
*Aurik grips his mace. Something about this place made him incredibly uneasy. More than ghosts or demons. Something in this place just wasn't right.*
((move to the first room on the right))
"I'll do the door opening," Graigus said, once more on the defensive as he slowly pulled the door open.
A burst of gunfire strikes Graigus in the shoulder as he opens the door. Behind the entryway, three skeletons with stubby, short-barrelled guns cluster around a stairway leading down. The room itself is full of shattered glass rectangles hanging from the ceiling, long couches, and a few storage racks containing odd devices and objects. A few broken consoles, sparks still flying, stand alongside another one of the walls.
"Intruders in the rec-room, floor 29. Repelling..." one skeleton warbles in its watery voice.
Tanis steps around the doorway, stepping into the room and off to the side so as to not obstruct the entrance. Hand outstretched, he is already casting. Soon, a blast of sound energy erupts, and rockets into one of the drowned eyes.
((Cast an empowered sound lance. 73 damage))
Tanis' spell annihilates one of the Drowned Eye in back, the skeleton crumbling into dust. The gun clatters to the floor, a bony hand still clutching the trigger, causing it to fire and spin around for a little before jarring the finger loose.
*Morningstar still holstered, Aurik quickly releases his grasp on the weapon at his side. He jumps slightly in reaction to the gunfire, but quickly raises a hand in defense*
"Foul creature from beyond the grave! Begone, back to rest with you. Reach rest you so rightly deserve by following the light!"
*A ray intense as the sun springs forth at the nearest remaining Drowned Eye soldier, disrupting the unholy energies keeping its body animated*
((Searing Light. 39 damage. This is not fire damage))
The rightmost Drowned Eye shudders as the beam strikes him.
"I'm hit... Mission still viable. Proceeding with counterattack," the skeleton mumbles.
Farain lifted his bow and shot three arrows at the creature Aurik had just blasted, a pleased grin on his face. The shots destroy the injured skeleton the moment it finishes its sentence, leaving only the front most undead.
"Know anything about tag teams, little guy?" Ashathel asked, blade in hand as he prepared to attack one of the drowned eye.
Even before his blow landed, however, the nimble dwarf had already gone past him, his attack slamming into the undead monster struck by the cleric.
The twin attacks break most of the skeleton's ribs, but he remains standing. He takes a step back and strafes Graigus and Ashathel with gunfire. Their reflexes save them, however.
Ashathel then attacks once more.
"And that, my friend, is how you do it," the bladesinger said, letting the blade spin thrice before the pile of bones clattered to the floor. All is quiet once more.
With a sigh of relief, Farain lowered his bow. "I think I liked it better when it was quiet..."
*Aurik lowers his hand, the skeletons quickly dispatched. He walks forward, entering the room, then looks at Ashathel*
"Your skill with a blade has improved significantly since we first met. You should be proud. Where to now?"
Tanis frowns, looking around the room. "That seemed far too easy..." he says.
"I agree," the monk said, training his senses to listen for new attackers, though the base is eerily quiet.
The drowned eye have three submachine guns with 6 clips of ammo total. Without a tinker, you don't know what to make of the other devices attached to them.
"I have no idea what half that stuff is, but maybe Zook might," Ashathel offered.
*Aurik nods, agreeing wholeheartedly*
3 SMGs and 6 clips obtained!
"At the very least, I know for a fact he can use the guns. Never enough ammo when you're running around in a base full of undead monstrosities..."
'Let's see what's on the racks," Graigus suggested.
Farain walked over to where the skeletons had once stood, looking at the stairway. "Maybe they were guarding what's down there..."
*Aurik shrugs, but begins going through the shelving, not knowing what half of what he was looking at best*
The racks contain a number of silvery discs, slender metal squares, and a number of perfectly cut elongated pyramids of crystal. There are far too many of the discs, squares, and pyramids to take them all, but you manage to grab a good assortment.
[ECL13 people get 400 exp
ECL14 people get 300 exp]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:18 am
Cedric's squad: When last we left our interprid heroes, they were standing in the center of the ruined hangar bay, victorious... though not unscarred. The Paladin frowns darkly as the mountain shudders, tightening his grip on his hammer and glancing at the others, "...we need to keep moving before this place collapses around our heads."
Sorel staggers, clinging to his staff for support as the impact rattles the base to its foundations. "Something crashed into Megiddo. Perhaps the others were successful in making contact."
"If that was something crashing into the fortress, I pray that they were not successful..." The Paladin replies with a frown.
The druid shakes his head. "We will learn nothing more here."
A large hallway leads to the south, and two passages large enough for the great machines in ruin in this room lead to the east.
"Very well." Cedric nods darkly, "Let's contiune on..." He nods to the druid, "Which path?"
Sorel tilts his head, thinking. "South," he says after a moment.
Cedric pauses, holding up a hand with a frown, "Wait..." He shakes his head, "I was hoping to preserve this but..."
He pulls the staff of life from his back and holds it forth, channeling a wave of sacred energy upon the wounded.
((2 charges from the Staff of Life to heal Faralon and Cedric.))
The southern hall opens up into another cavernous hangar bay, but this one appears to be cleared of the rubble and ruined machines of the last room. Instead, the center of the room is dominated by a trio of humanoid machines, each twenty feet tall and bristling with armament. Scaffolding and parts surround the machines.
"Aerospace defense robots... But they don't appear to be active," Gilliam notes. "It looks like they've been trying to restore them."
Sorel hears machinery whirring from above and the faint click-click of bone feet on metal from behind the machines.
"Did anyone think to prepare hide from undead cyborgs?" Cedric questions with a weary sigh, drawing his hammer.
Sorel gestures forward, indicating immediately behind the towering machines. "There are more skeletons."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Gilliam asks, moving to the side.
Cedric power surges.
"I have something in store. Let me take the first shot before you charge in," Gilliam says quietly. Gilliam moves up, stopping short of clearing the machines, apparently waiting for something and tensing himself for an action.
Ombligo floats forward and begins readying his action.
Gilliam darts to the side of the machines, bringing a group of six Drowned Eye into view. Panels on boxes attached to his legs and sides open up and a swarm of small cylinders launch themselves from Gilliam towards the enemy. A chain of explosions cover the area.
Half of the skeletons jump out of the way, completely evading the attack, but the rest roar as their bones are broken.
((35 damage to 3 DE Technicians.))
A hail of gunfire greets Gilliam shortly after he launches his missiles, many of the bullets rebounding off his armor, but many also damaging the protective metal.
> 26 damage to Gilliam.
"Moderate damage, I can still fight..." Gilliam murmurs.
Ombligo's sight is still blocked by the machines, Faralon breaks into song when his compatriot is damaged.
Cedric and Sorel move into position where they can see the Drowned Eye.
Cedric nods to the team as he moves into position.
Two arrowsfrom Faralon thud into one of the robots, damaging it as sparks fly.
Ombligo calls down lightning on the four robots that descended from the ceiling. The one Faralon struck explodes into many pieces, but though the others are heavily damaged, they remain in one piece.
Cedric charges into the fray, smashing apart a skeleton with a single blow.
Sorel is in shock and awe.
The Drowned Eye fall back towards a door, spraying gunfire as they go. A single burst manages to hit Gilliam, but the rest either deflect off armor or miss entirely.
Sparks fly as Gilliam is further damaged.
"No... You'll need more than that..." he growls as he dashes forward. His chest opens to reveal a charged laser, sweeping the fleeing skeletons with a single burst of energy.
Again, another skeleton evades, though the powerful beam of energy reduces three of the Drowned Eye to ash. The fourth is damaged, but still up.
Faralon manages to down another robot with his arrows.
Ombligo's next bolt spell crumbles the last two skeletons, leaving the two robots.
The multi-armed robots flail and strike at Faralon, but seem very incompetent, never hitting. It would appear combat is not their function.
Cedric's mighty hammer hammers the robot mightily. It is smashed to piece.
A burst from Gilliam brings down the last robot.
Silence settles over the room once more, broken only by the hum of machinery.
Cedric glances back at the others, "Is everyone alright?"
He starts, "Sorel?! Sorel!?" His eyes widen in horror, for the old druid has vanished without a trace.
lolno
*Faralon nods.* "Yes, that was considerably easier than the last skirmish."
The Paladin nods intently, "Then let's contiune..."
"Wait..." Gilliam says.
"Give me a moment or two here. I'm going to make sure these machines can't be restored anytime soon. I don't like the idea of possibly being flanked by things thrice my height."
"Surely you know how to make use of them..." Cedric asks with a frown, "Can they not be used for our aid?" He glances down a dark passage with a frown, "If only Zook were here..."
"I'm not a mechanic," Gilliam says. "Just a soldier. I know enough to operate and do basic repairs, but something like this is beyond me."
Gilliam takes a few minutes to look over the robots and their attendant machines. Finally he moves in a removes a few key components, cuts a few wires.
"There," Gilliam says, satisfied. "Nothing too visible, but they shouldn't be able to complete repairs in enough time for it to matter now."
*Ombligo bobs up and down excitedly.* "It won't be long now!"
"Then let us press on." The paladin replies, starting down the next passage.
The door opens into a medium sized room piled high with spare parts and odd machines. Various tools also seem to be stored here.
"Anything of use here, Ancient?" Cedric questions.
"Yes... A few things your tinker may like..." Gilliam says, moving among the tools and selecting a few items to place in his pack.
*Ancient Toolkit x2 gained.*
*Insert fanfare*
The paladin nods approvingly, "Then we should continue on..."
He pauses for a moment, "Well done."
"Thank you," Gilliam murmurs.
The other passage leds to yet another hangar bay, this one devoid of activity. The remnants of a great battle litter the area here, war machines shattered and thrown against the walls and a large number of skeletons strewn about the floor.
"Death and destruction everywhere...But that's nothing new." *Ombligo says with a somber tone.*
*Faralon eyes the magic creature curiously. Talk about mood swings.*
Three doors lead from this chamber. Gilliam steps to the center of the room, pointing to a large blast mark.
Cedric frowns at the comment, then sighs and nods grimly, "It is our task to ensure that such does not cover the world."
"One of the mages... cast some sort of fire spell there. Killed a group of barbazus in one shot..." Gilliam says, moving forward and pointing to a rusted and ruined machine.
"That... was an exosuit... Piloted by Cpl. Lance... he gunned down waves of dretches before they swarmed over him like demented piranhas and devoured him alive..."
The holy knight frowns slightly, looking over the scene, then nods grimly.
*Faralon takes special note of this information, paying close attention to Gilliam's words.*
Gilliam gestures again, this time to a trio of skeletons against a corner. "Those... Those were the brothers... They..." Gilliam abruptly halts his reminiscing and turns to Cedric.
"I remember this room. The left two doors are to a workshop and an ammo dump. The third leads to a control room, then the emergency stairs down."
Cedric and Faralon gain 600 XP.
Gilliam, Sorel, and Ombligo gain 1000 XP.

Posted by: Knight_019 Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:15 am
*Merkass watches friends both new and old proceed past him and down the corridor. He wishes to follow them, but more work remained to be done elsewhere. Merkass enters back into the main corridor, finding others had conglomerated there as well.*
: I will scout ahead. Rhizor, use your keen senses to listen for struggling or otherwise.
*Merkass turns and continues walking before he finishes the last sentence, coming to the last remaining door. He puts an ear to the metal door, listening through it for any indication of what may lie beyond. He then takes a quick look over the door, searching for any traps that may be on itSatisfied that the way seems relatively safe, Merkass grips the door handle, opening it stealthily as possible, then makes his way into the next room. He, however, finds the door barred shut. Merkass leans back, then pushes an elbow into the door, enough effort to splintering off a portion of an old wooden pew that was set against it.*
((Sanctuary: http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Guest/Half-Life%20Opposing%20Force%2011.mp3 ))
*Wary of making so much noise, Merkass takes a quick reconnoiter of the room, searching for any signs of reactive movement or otherwise.*
Row after row of wooden pews cover most of the floor. Niches in the walls hold bas reliefs or statues, while the symbol of the Light stands proudly over an altar at the far end. Shafts in the ceiling let in thin beams of what appears to be sunlight, bathing the chapel in a comforting glow.
*Amidst so much evil and anger, Merkass is both shocked and awed by the presence of a reliquary of the light in this place. Instinctively, Merkass takes a quick, forceful sniff, but is still put off by the nature of Megiddo. Knowing he could find nothing without his normal, trained senses, Merkass moves slowly, with care, through the chapel. For whatever reason, his movement is drawn toward the main altar of the room. He is met with no opposition, fortunately, and finds a large, wooden door at the behind the beautifully crafted altar. He takes a moment to regard the Northern wall's mural depicting angels with robed men. In the pews, skeletons are scattered about.
Merkass quickly breaks from his adoration, scavenging for any items of use, and finds a holy water fountain before long. Then, in a cabinet, he finds a number of flasks and recepticles. Merkass takes four, then begins to fill them with the holy water dispenser. While doing so, he takes a closer look around the room and at the skeletons. Many seemed to have died fighting, or at least not gone peacefully. However, the ones still seated as if attending a service bothered him in some way. To die as such was not natural, and in many ways, the setting is far too pristine.
Also within the room he sees numerous golden items, candleabras, and beauteous articles of faith. In any other situation he may have been up for looting. However, in this, he felt no desire to take such items from this devastated holy place. If his friends so desired, so be it. Finishing filling his containers, he packs them away and continues on through the door. He listens into it, then opens it quietly, finally taking complete cover save to peer around it.*
The two doors open into a back area that appears to be a storage/preparation room for services. A few old books lay on a rack, while candles and mouldering robes are piled neatly in a corner.A bench and a few chairs are placed by a few desks. A single door is at the back of the room.
*Merkass continues his way through this new room, appearing to be a priest's ready room. Looking about for anything else that may be of use in his treck alone through Megiddo, he cautiously continues to approach the door. On the way, he takes a quick look through the desks, finding a stack of papers, a few thin books, and a number of pens. Of importance he discovers a small golden necklace with a platinum starburst on it. Seeing no reason to store it away, he takes it and tosses it over his head, allowing it to rest around his neck. From what he can tell, the pendant appears to be some form of an aspect of the light. The books, with no real inspection, seem to be holy texts, so for now he passes them by and makes his way to the door, opening it as the others before.
The door opens, revealing small, spartan chamber with a bed, closet, and desk. The starburst symbol along with an eye hangs on a wall. Merkass quickly identifies it as the eye of the ancients, reminding him once more of where he is. He takes a moment to scavenge through the desk and closet. Among many personal effects, including a diary, a personal set of holy scripture, and sets of clothes, he finds a stash of incense containing 4 blocks. Merkass takes the found diary, wondering if it may be of use and shed light on this place later. Curious, Merkass also takes the stash of blocks of incense, wondering why they would keep so much. With nowhere else to go, he returns back to the others in a short period of time. He waves to Rhizor as he passes him, beckoning him to follow. Reuiniting with Gail, he reports.*
: The final door led to a chapel and priest's quarters. No enemies were found within, though there is a holy water fountain, some valuables, books, and this incense which they were strangely hording. I suggest we move on and catch up to the others.
((For those curious, once everything is identified, the only magic things that were back there I happened to grab without knowing they were magic (go me!). Incense is Incense of Meditation. The Necklace acts as Prayer Beads. Then there's the holy water.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:03 am
Zook rocks back and forth on his feet for a few minutes, waiting for someone to give direction. When noone steps forward, he makes a vague gesture to the corridor in the south. "I'm gonna head down here, if that's alright." The tinker flicks his eyes nervously about as he walks, half expecting some new ghost or monstrosity to pop from the shadows. The southern passage continues for a long while, the walls covered with pipes, cables, maitenance hatches, and console-stations. After a while, it dead ends in a circular room filled with machinery.
"Hrm." Zook mumbles to himself. "These appear to be maitenance and access stations for the external sensors." He begins to look about for a functional display. Most are smashed and shattered, but he finds a working station. After a moment, he switches to the feed examining the entrance of the base. He blinks.
"Well there's a great burning hunk of metal lodged into the front gate, having rammed it open. It looks like... some sort of vessel. Explains the shaking, at least." He putters around for another few moments, before stripping the consoles of some useful components, and then laying a few shrapnel explosives from his satchel at the bases of the machines. "That should do it," Zook says, impressed that the machines still functioned after all these years. "Ancients built to last, you have to give them that." Giving a final look about, he exits the way he came.
"So, it turns out the--" Zook's return is puncuated by a series of deafening explosions a few feet down the hall as the explosives detonate. The tinker stops, rubs his ears gently to stop the ringing, and continues. "So, it turns out the tremors were caused by a huge ship crashing into the front doors of the base. Looked a little like the Shadowblade, now that I mention it... anyway! Let's be off, shall we?"
With that Zook turned and went east.

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:03 am
"Alright... let's head to that last room, then come back here," Ashathel said. "Any objections?" "None from me," Tanis replies. "Then let's go," the elf said. Moving to the front of the line, Graigus headed out of the room and to the next door, even more defensive as he opened it as well.
The next door opens into another bunkroom, this one a complete mess. Bunks and lockers are rent and scattered everwhere, along with piles of bones. Scorchmarks, holes, and bullet-dents line the walls.
"Wow," Tanis says, looking at the mess. "It makes you wonder what's happened here to get it like this."
*Aurik takes a look around himself, then toward Tanis.* "While I do not know, given our record here, I would not like to meet anyone who could tell us."
"Yes," Tanis replies, nodding. "I share your sentiments on that one."
"Psst... what do you say we give Ash a wet willy while he's not paying attention?"
"I second that," Graigus said.
Just kidding...
"Alright... let's see what's left," Ashathel said.
Graigus is too stupefied by the sheer amount of destruction in this room, and can't manage much more than to gawk at the bones and metal remnants of devices and bunks.
Ashathel finds a few small gemstones, oddly enough. Small diamond, ruby, and sapphire found. Tiny, actually
*Aurik raises his hands before him, partially closing his eyes as he does so. While nothing more seems to happen, Aurik's concentration appears intense. To him, however, he sees leylines acting as contours, relaying to him the location of magic nearby.*
"Pretty small, but valuable nonetheless," the elf said. "Maybe we'll find that they're worth more than we thought."
"There does not seem to be any magical influence in this room. Perhaps we should move on."
"Agreed. Be on your guard when we go back to that room; I have no doubt that the stairs lead to rooms just full of our bony friends."
Nodding, the monk once more led the way, moving out of their current room, and, cautiously, stretched his hand towards the door handle.
"Wait," the bladesinger said, as the monk reached for the door. "Let's keep looking around a little bit longer... chances are, no one else will be able to and it'd be a shame not to see if we can find something else of use."
"But shouldn't we meet up with other people, like we're supposed to?" the dwarf asked.
"We don't know that there's anyone else to meet up with - no one who's not going to try and kill us, anyway," Ashathel noted.
"It might also be wise to note that anyone reaching the entrance to this place will not necessarily need a welcoming party, nor mind if the committe is not at the door waiting. It's just as possible another group is already here."
"There you go... a man of the cloth agrees," Ashathel nodded. Winking at the drunken master, he said "We'll try to make it quick."
*With a contrary look, Aurik continues.* "In Graigus' defense, I recommend that we not tarry too long. Our other duty is to discover other groups and report them."
The hallway continues for a little while longing before ending in a wall of collapsed rubble. As with before, four doors, two on each side of the hallway, are here. There is magic present in the area.
*Aurik is surprised by the number of necromantic auras emanating from the room to his left. He attempts to move forward, slowly, as not to attract attention, but get an idea of what lies beyond as well*
((The far right room has a single necromantic aura in it. The far left has two auras of abjuration.))
*Aurik points to the far left door, looking back at Ashathel. Abjuration would be of far more use to him than the danger of so many undead, if that is what they are.*
*Once Ashathel and Graigus catch up, Aurik opens the door and enters.*
The door opens to reveal another bunk room, this one not in quite as much disarray. A number of skeletons lay at the far end, huddled together. Burnt into the metal in front of the door are a number of shimmering glyphs.
((Looks like a protective ward against demons.))
"We may pass." *Aurik steps into the room*
Stepping over the wards and rummaging through the room, Ashathel manages to find a single golden locket around a skeleton's neck. The rest of the items seem ruined. Langston joins the search and finds nothing.
"If it's all clear, let's try to avoid fighting for a little bit longer," the elf suggested.
The door to this room opens up into what looks to be a large dining area, but it's wrecked. Machines lined on the walls are smashed and broken. Tables are overturned and have claw marks on them. Skeletons are everywhere, and dried blood covers the floor.
Ashathel finds nothing of value as he searches the immense room.
"Alright... ready your blades," Ashathel said. Motioning for the others to follow, he headed out of the room and towards the room with the single necromantic aura.
... or rather, that was what he wanted to do. As Ashathel speaks, but before he can move out of the room, Aurik suddenly detects the presence of seven necromantic auras.
Seven etheral figures, covered in ragged gashes and cuts shriek with rage as they appear around the group.
"Weapons down," Ashathel said. "If you are the fallen defenders of this base, then we have no need to fight you. We mean no harm... all we want is to keep anyone else from being hurt by the Strife Lords."
The ghosts of the fallen pay no heed as they charge at the adventurers.
((BATTLE! ROLL INITIATIVE, BITCHES!
Graigus: 15
Ashathel: 13))

Posted by: Knight_019 Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:05 am
"Alright... let's head to that last room, then come back here," Ashathel said. "Any objections." "None from me," Tanis replies. "Then let's go," the elf said. Moving to the front of the line, Graigus headed out of the room and to the next door, even more defensive as he opened it as well.
The next door opens into another bunkroom, this one a complete mess. Bunks and lockers are rent and scattered everwhere, along with piles of bones. Scorchmarks, holes, and bullet-dents line the walls.
"Wow," Tanis says, looking at the mess. "It makes you wonder what's happened here to get it like this."
*Aurik takes a look around himself, then toward Tanis.* "While I do not know, given our record here, I would not like to meet anyone who could tell us."
"Yes," Tanis replies, nodding. "I share your sentiments on that one."
"I second that," Graigus said.
"Alright... let's see what's left," Ashathel said.
Graigus is too stupefied by the sheer amount of destruction in this room, and can't manage much more than to gawk at the bones and metal remnants of devices and bunks. Ashathel finds a few small gemstones, oddly enough.
((Tiny diamond, ruby, and sapphire found.))
*Aurik raises his hands before him, partially closing his eyes as he does so. While nothing more seems to happen, Aurik's concentration appears intense. To him, however, he sees leylines acting as contours, relaying to him the location of magic nearby. He, however, does not find the presence of the arcane in this area.*
"Pretty small, but valuable nonetheless," the elf said. "Maybe we'll find that they're worth more than we thought."
"There does not seem to be any magical influence in this room. Perhaps we should move on."
"Agreed. Be on your guard when we go back to that room; I have no doubt that the stairs lead to rooms just full of our bony friends."
Nodding, the monk once more led the way, moving out of their current room, and, cautiously pulling open the door.
The hallway continues down.
"Wait," the bladesinger said, as the monk reached for the door. "Let's keep looking around a little bit longer... chances are, no one else will be able to and it'd be a shame not to see if we can find something else of use."
"But shouldn't we meet up with other people, like we're supposed to?" the dwarf asked.
"We don't know that there's anyone else to meet up with - no one who's not going to try and kill us, anyway," Ashathel noted.
"It might also be wise to note that anyone reaching the entrance to this place will not necessarily need a welcoming party, nor mind if the committe is not at the door waiting. It's just as possible another group is already here."
"There you go... a man of the cloth agrees," Ashathel nodded. Winking at the drunken master, he said "We'll try to make it quick."
*With a contrary look, Aurik continues.* "In Graigus' defense, I recommend that we not tarry too long. Our other duty is to discover other groups and report them."
The hallway continues for a little while longing before ending in a wall of collapsed rubble. As with before, four doors, two on each side of the hallway, are here.
*Upon entering this room, Aurik ascertains the location of seven auras emanating from within the room to his immediate left. He is somewhat disheartened to realize they are generated by necromancy. Worried they may be a slew of ghosts or other undead, he attempts to move forward, slowly, as not to attract attention, but get an idea of what lies beyond as well. Once significantly far down the hallway, Aurik discovers one more aura of necromancy pulsating beyond the door to his right. The door now to his left, however, emanates abjuration. He could only hope that the protection would be to their benefit. Aurik points to the far left door, looking back at Ashathel. Abjuration would be of far more use to him than the danger of so many undead, if that is indeed what they are. Once Ashathel and Graigus catch up, Aurik opens the door and enters.*
The door opens to reveal another bunk room, this one not in quite as much disarray. A number of skeletons lay at the far end, huddled together. Burnt into the metal in front of the door are a number of shimmering glyphs.
*Aurik takes a moment to discern their function, drawing the conclusion that they are meant to ward against demons.* "We may pass." *With that, Aurik steps into the room*
Stepping over the wards and rummaging through the room, Ashathel manages to find a single golden locket around a skeleton's neck. The rest of the items seem ruined.
"If it's all clear, let's try to avoid fighting for a little bit longer," the elf suggested.
The door to this room opens up into what looks to be a large dining area, but it's wrecked. Machines lined on the walls are smashed and broken. Tables are overturned and have claw marks on them. Skeletons are everywhere, and dried blood covers the floor.
"Alright... ready your blades," Ashathel said. Motioning for the others to follow, he headed out of the room and towards the room with the single necromantic aura.
As Ashathel speaks, but before he can move out of the room, Aurik suddenly detects the presence of seven necromantic auras. Seven etheral figures, covered in ragged gashes and cuts shriek with rage as they appear around the group.
"Weapons down," Ashathel said. "If you are the fallen defenders of this base, then we have no need to fight you. We mean no harm... all we want is to keep anyone else from being hurt by the Strife Lords."
The ghosts of the fallen pay no heed as they charge at the adventurers.

Posted by: Cyrus Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:16 am
Merkass returns to find Gail's face dark, a scowl set to her face as she stares seemingly at one of the ruined walls of the fortress. The heated look fades as he speaks, though, lightening as the catfolk described the chapel and what he had found. "It's not so strange," the paladin muses, a melancholy smile appearing as she thinks of a bastion of good being secluded even here, "even the simplest item of faith can hold great meaning to its bearer...especially when times seem bleak." Soon realizing she was wasting time, she shakes her head clear of such thought, her brow furrowed as she spoke. "You're right, though; we can't stay here much longer. Besides, whatever that explosion was, it doesn't sit well with me." Finished with the discussion, she waves her group onward, continuing down the path that the others had beaten...only to just barely duck out of a hail of bullets from an arriving patrol of Drowned Eye. Despite catching the group off guard, the entourage of trained warriors manages to eliminate the raised dead in a dynamic action sequence that isn't in the budget to accurately describe, eating up a few more minutes of time necessary to have everyone on the same timeline. This distraction, for which no XP is gained, causes Gail's group to arrives at the newly erupting battle as it begins. Realizing that the entire group must be inside, and that fitting another 7 people there would cause mass chaos, she turns to her own carde. "We need to help them. Merkass, Damas, Ignatius, please aid them as best you can. I'm afraid the rest of us will only get in the way."
The minotaur snorts at the orders given, pushing his way through to the door. "Speak for yourself. I'm not letting anyone in there get shot full of holes like we were." With that, he charges into the room.
[Also, if Castor wasn't healed by Rhizor, Gail uses her LoH to seal his wound while Merkass is away, bringing him to 142/165.
Castor hits a ghost.
Miss chance: 1d100[85].
HIT!
Attack: 1d20(4)+12(BAB)+9(STR)+5(weapon)+2(charge)=32.
HIT!
Damage: 1d12(4)+1d6(6{fire})+14(STR)+5(weapon)+24(Heedless Charge)+3d6(1,4,5{10})(Powerful Charge)=63.]

Posted by: Knight_019 Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:41 pm
: Leave them to me. *Aurik walks past his friends to stand before the ghosts. He raises his holy symbol in front of him, presenting it forcefully at the ghosts. It glows intensely like a bright light within the darkness of Megiddo.* : Look upon the sunlight and be drawn to it, finding eternal rest!
*The holy symbol appears to catch fires, rays of light visibly emanating from it toward the undead. With a flash, all the ghosts dematerialize into nothing. Aurik sighs and quickly straightens his robes and armor.*
: Let us hope we do not have to do that again.
((Aurik moves out, Turns Undead (still costs 2 attempts, just fyi) with Sun Domain power, Turns as an 18th level Cleric, and destroys 28 HD worth of undead. That's everyone.))
~~~~~
Van opens the door near everyone else to find a large tiled room. Many small rooms, almost like cells line the walls, while one wall has a single long metal counter with sinks and a shattered mirror. Everyone but Aurik hears a faint sobbing from one of the stalls. On a ceramic chair of some sort is a softly glowing ethereal figure, hands covering her face as she sobs. She appears to be an elven woman in odd clothes.
Gail follows the soldier inside, and is taken aback as the ghost comes into view. Remaining defensive, she calls to the being, judging its reply. "Who are you?"
The woman doesn't reply at first, then mumbles, "They took... They took everything... They took... They killed... Everything..." She removes her hands from her face to reveal two empty, bloody sockets as she screams in agony.
Gail and Rhizor, while horrified by the appearance of the mutilated ghost, are able to steel themselves. Van too, is able to keep his cool. After a while, the ghost stops screaming and vanishes.
*Rhizor continues to stare at the now vacant space for a few moments more, his eyes unwavering. His gaze then wanders to his allies before speaking, bewildered.* "What in the world was that?"
The look of shock pass before long, fading to sorrow. "Someone who has never left...Perhaps she can't." Gail quickly turns her attention to the rooms.
They're all very small, containing a single ceramic chair in each. A few have a grate on the floor, with a metal nozzle jutting out from teh ceiling instead. Merkass and Aurik both notice that the chairs have a great deal of similarities to privies. Mainly with the hole in teh center and all, though these chairs have water in them
((lol toilet))
Van points. "Oh my god, a torture chamber!"
Gail opens the final door to reveal another ruined bunk area. Blood is splashed everywhere, and bones are tossed to and fro. An odd metal box lies atop one of the bunks, but all else seems to have been ransacked.
Van checks the box
As Van enters the room, a chorus of moans and screams echos all around. Agonized bellows and sobbing soon join the discordance.
Gail attempts to reason with the ghosts. "We mean you no harm," Gail yells over the chorus of screams. Or something to that effect. I dunno.
The screaming, however, continues.
Van backs off
The minute Van attempts to leave the room, a ghostly hand lashes out from the floor to catch his ankle. Van feels unearthly cold about him as he strength flees his body.
((lol, owned. 2 STR damage))
Seven ghosts rise from the floor. Each wears odd clothes and bears the marks of their death plainly on their bodies. Some are burned, some are terribly mutilated, some seem flayed... All appear to have died in great pain. Despite their terrible deaths, the group manages to maintain its cool.
Aurik shines with a brilliant light. Five of the seven ghosts shriek as they are burnt to ash.
Castor and Gail simultaneously charge forward, weapons raised overhead. Both impact the apparitions, Castor's doing great damage, but Gail's passes harmlessly through the ghost's incorporeal body. Castor's ghost remains floating, but seems hazy, on the brink of breaking down.
*Rhizor raises both winged hands in front of him, and suddenly a set of gnashing, ghostly jaws rush forth from his position at Gail's ghost. They clamp down strongly onto the ghost, enveloping it and holding it firm.*
*Merkass, meanwhile, knocks one arrow, firing, then a second. The first passes through the ghost, but the second impacts. The ghost still stands, however.*
Van swings his sword wildly at the the ghost hovering before Castor, and he manages to disperse the remnants of the ghost.
The other ghost manages to break free of the grappling spell, moving towards Rhizor with a crazed gleam in his dead eyes. However, in a fit of brilliance, Van lashes out with his sword once more, managing to disperse the second ghost as well. In the aftermath, both Aurik and Gail attempt to detect information about the box's magical and evil qualities, but find nothing. Merkass takes a quick look for traps, his hands uncharacteristically shaky, but similarly finds nothing. Van decides he'd like to look at the box as well, brutishly tying to force it open. He, however, cannot find an opening, but while fumbling, he accidentally triggers a depression switch. A voice then begins to emmanate from it.
"This is the audio log of Captain Retheul Elesia. This will probably be my last entry... I can hear the damn things outside already. I don't know what exactly they are, or where they came from, but they've overrun the entire base in a moment of hours. The things they've done to the bodies of the dead... and to those they captured... Well, they're demonic in more than appearance.
A scattering of soldiers managed to fight their way out, and are trying to warn anyone they can or get help, but I don't think anyone will make it in time. A fair amount of the base staff has killed themselves before the things could get to them... but I'm not doing that. That's not a soldier's way out.
I'm leaving this log so that if someone gets here they'll know that I died with a rifle in my hands and a battlecry on my lips." *roar in the background.* "And here I go..."
The voice abruptly halts.
Gail bows her head in silence for a moment as the recording stops, a slight whisper on her lips before turning from the room. "Come on," she says to her comrades as she leaves, "There's nothing more we can do here."
((The level 15s get no XP. The level 13s get 450.
Van gets 1 XP for being a special boy.))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:26 pm
"Say, ain't that a handy trick to have around," Langston chirps, as Aurik disposes of the undead before them. "Think I'dda rather not seen this mess in that light though; kinda gross." Just the same, he didn't wait for the order to start poking around the room.
((Search: 6+19=25))
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We've wasted enough time here; come, let us continue."
The Wizardess waved a short farewell to Zook, carefully masking her worry for the tinker. The massive shaking and cacophony of noise proceeding it had all but frayed the scholar's nerves, and she was anxious to be rid of the place as soon as possible; enough that any excitement of perusing the ship's magical laboratories had been muffled by the sheer fright of what had just occured. Between monster and mayhem, there seemed to be very little good that could come of this exploration.
Just the same she was not going to fail. She looked to Kyoji and jerked her head toward the corridors before them, then mimicked a similar motion to Kayla to cover the shadows in the groups rear as they began their descent.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Sep 03, 2007 7:08 pm
Megiddo advancements: Cedric's team will be moving to Laboratories: Teleportation Experiments. Gorrik's team will be moving to Laboratories: Chemical/Biological Experiments. Isyndel's team will be moving to Laboratories: Arcane/Supernatural. Isyndel's team makes their way through the shattered tunnels and damaged halls of Megiddo's upper portion. Stealthily and surely they wind down through a maze of chambers and passages to arrive at their first destination: The Arcane Labs.
The stairway you took opens into a wide antechamber, with four blue-stone doors, two in front and one to either side. A smooth stone desk set with the Eye of the Ancients and carved with runes is the only feature of this room besides the multitude of blast and burn marks coating the walls.

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:37 am
((Knowledge/Spellcraft)) The desk has a few long burnt out spells designed to carry messages to and observe people on this floor. "Fan out slowly," the Wizardess ordered flatly. "Kayla, Kyoji, examine the doors; do not get too touchy just yet. Give me time to feel out the area a bit longer."
"Door's clear of traps," Kyoji reports.
She glances around once more cautiously, before turning to Kyoji once more. "Then that one is as good as any for our exploration to begin, I suppose."
The door opens to reveal a long corridor, at the end of which, is a door.
"This door looks to be clear, shall I open it?" Kyoji asks after a few moments of inspection.
"Strong magic emanates from the door; a ward of some kind," the Wizardess replied. Let us check another first."
Checking another door.
"This door is clear of traps," Kyoji says, moving back.
Isyndel fought a quiet laugh. "Your hesitance notwithstanding, I see."
Kyoji shrugs. "Want me to open it?"
Isyndel reached out to her shield, testing it, poking and prodding at the energy in reassurance before stepping toward it after Kyoji backed away, motioning the others to do the same. With a deep breath, she opened the door.
The door opens to reveal a small room with a large number of hooks set into the walls. Torn rags and bones cover the floor, but four large robes still remain on four of the hooks.
"A wardrobe of some sort, perhaps?" she queried, looking to Kyoji, then Mahler and the others.
"Why would you have a wardrobe in a magical lab?" Kyoji asks.
She shrugged, having no apparent obvious answer. "Unless these robes provide some sort of protection to the arcane, I sadly admit I have no idea. Search them just the same," she added."
"Well..." Kyoji says, rubbing his chin. "Maybe they do? Can you detect magic?"
After a few moments of searching, Kyoji shrugs. "I can't find anything here."
"Maybe if I climbed up a tree, I could see the area better..."
"lol."
((Yes, I do have that prepared.))
She nodded and did just that, being unsatisfied with her initial examination. "Perhaps I was on to something after all," she mused. "Gather them; maybe they will be of some use."
Kyoji nods and gathers the robes.
((Four Warding Robes added to inventory.))
The party returns to the main room again, and Kyoji examines the next door. After announcing it to be all clear, the party opens it. This door opens up into another long corridor, but this one has three doors on either side in addition to the single door at the back.
Isyndel gets down on a knee and contacts Mei Ling to save the mission data.
(Data Saved)
"Isyndel, did you hear about Farain?"
"Farain...isn't that the centaur from the other group?"
"That's right. It's fine if you didn't know, he's inactive most of the time anyway."
"It's said that he believes buildings don't have doors even when they have hundreds of rooms! Also he's stupid."
"...I will...keep that in mind. Bitchy Snake, out."

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:14 am
((Slightly before that...)) *Mahler walks up to Zook and Telanna* : "What happened? You seem weakened." : "We got weakened," Zook says, panting, as he drags Telanna a little farther into the room. "Little help, please." *Mahler nods, kneeling down next to the sylph. He opens his stony palms wide over her body, then lays his hands on her sides. He mutters a prayer, and light flows forth from him and into her. At first, the light is feeble, slowly rejeuvenating her strength. Then, seconds later, he continues his prayer, repeating it once more, and the light surges forth before ceasing. Mahler stands up then looks down to Zook.*
: "I am sorry. It is not much, but it is all that I can do." *He then looks to Telanna, watching to see if she recovers.*
((Lesser Restoration x2. 5 STR damage restored))
Telanna pushes herself to a sitting position, coughing weakly before looking up.
: "Thanks. I'm not much use to anyone at the moment, so if you're going to go on now, you should probably leave me here."
*Mahler shakes his head.*
: "I do not believe leaving anyone alone in this place to be a wise course of action." *Mahler looks back to Isyndel and gestures to her.*
Isyndel, still marginally shaken, brushes sweat soaked strands of hair from her face as she approaches.
: "Mahler," she stated simply, gesturing to indicate she was prepared to hear what was to be said.
*Mahler turns to completely face the wizardess.*
: "Telanna wishes to remain behind while we continue."
She bit the inside of her lip and nodded before turning her gaze sharply to Telanna.
: Your reasoning?"
: "I can still barely walk, I'm tapped out for magic for the day, and I don't think I'd be of any use in an actual stand-up fight," Telanna says, meeting Isyndel's gaze.
The wizardess withheld her sigh; the feeling of powerlessness all too familiar to her during the course of the journey leading up to this. A tingle of surprise raced through her; surprise that she felt sorry for having to force her onward.
"This is no place for anyone to remain alone. You risk being hunted down and destroyed by ambush forces," Kyoji says. "You should at least tag along, even if you stay out of sight and combat."
Isyndel nodded shortly in agreement with Kyoji.
: "You will come, even if it requires Mahler to carry you. There is no time to debate the subject further."
: "No, no," Telanna says, pulling herself to her feet on a nearby console. "I can walk fine."
Isyndel's glance flickered between the three of them in rapid succession before she nodded once more.

Posted by: FreedomJu Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:34 am
Phazon will Corrupt the Shining Forces

Posted by: Knight_019 Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:12 am
Talking swiftly with Ashathel, Gail makes her way to the stairs. Treading across the bloody path cut by Cedric's group, the intreprid adventurers make their way through the 28th floor, the air hangars. Though their allies are nowhere in sight, they press on to the 27th floor and find the stairs to the 26th floor in short order, battling against patrol after patrol of Drowned Eye soldiers.
They now find themselves in a large antechamber marred with blast marks, burns, melted metal, and claw marks. Obvious the signs of the ancient battle that decimated the base, but not even a single skeleton remains. A single corridor leads from this room, the door at teh far end ripped off its mechanism. Light spills from inside, and odd sounds accompany it...
Gail orders her troops onward.
((Everyone says "F*CK YOU," but continues anyway.))
*Merkass continues on, scouting ahead as usual.*
The next room is filled mostly with large metal tables, complex glass apparatii and machines covering them... But most are now shattered and broken. A pair of skeletons in white shredded rags lie on the floor. Van suddenly hears an odd clicking... like nails tapping on metal.
Soon after that, as Van tries to figure out what that means, Gail and Merkass both see something move on the ceiling. It looks almost invisible, the only hint of its existence the motion it takes, it's covered in perfect camoflauge. The creature drops to the floor and scurries towards Gail, lashing out with a claw. A thin line of blood is drawn across Gail's cheek as she is caught by surprise.
Gail reflexively unsteathes her weapon, and strikes at the creature.
Swiftly taking action, Van reaches out with his weapon to try to trip the monster.
Magic missile from damas.
The creature reels back with a cry of pain as Gail retaliates, supported by Damas' magic and Van's polearm. Hissing, the creature's snakelike jaws become apparent as more of its features are identifiable close up.
*Merkass knocks arrow after arrow, launching them at his foe.*
Van keeps up the pressure, lashing out in a flurry of attacks all aimed at making the creature kiss the ground.
A pair of arrows strike the beast as it howls and lashes out at Gail again. But this time the paladin is ready, parrying the blow with the flat of her blade. Van's strike catches the legs of the beast and causes it to collapse with a shriek of outrage.
Gail follows the chimera's stumble, aiming to drive her blade through the monster's chest.
Seeing a chance to deal some excellent damage, Van stays on the offensive, lashing out with his guisarme against the creature's limbs.
Gail follows through, stabbing the beast in the chest as Van lacerates its limbs. It thrashes wildly, then goes still, its camoflauge fading and its scales turning to a brownish-green shade.
*Merkass tumbles side to side, but as he prepares to launch another set of three arrows into the beast, it topples over dead. He glares at his allies, gets up, and begins looking it over as he puts his arrows away.*
The room is quiet once more.
*Rhizor walks up to the creature, examining it, and trying to make sense of what such a creature could be.*
Sliding the sword out, Gail stands, scanning the room for any other surprises.
Gail doesn't find anything in the room that is immediately harmful.
((lol way to go))
"What is this? It looks kinda like an alchemist's lab," Ignatius says.
After a few moments, Gail relaxs, convinced that the room is now cleared. "I'm not certain...I wouldn't recognize an alchemist's tools in the first place," she admits.
"This place must've been neat to be in..." Ignatius says, wincing. "Before... you know... all the death and what not..."
Rhizor can tell that the creature's camoflauge seems to be a drastically improved version of the Chameleon's... the creature itself seems to be some sort of mutant. Nothing like it exists in nature to his knowledge.
"'Neat' is an understatement," *Merkass retorts.* "However, I am less than settled the more time we spend in this room, or any."
*Rhizor chimes in.* "These creatures are abominations. Either creatures of another world or the fruits of science. They have no place in this world. We should be on."
Gail is silent for a moment, looking at the still thing at her feet. "I agree. We have to continue; I can only hope that time is on our side."
"Here's a door," Ignatius says, pointing. "Should we move on?"
Gail nods, moving ahead to open it, tensing at the thought of what could lie beyond.
The band of adventurers presses deeper into the labs, moving past room after room filled with strange machines and shattered glass containers. More than once an alarm is tripped, sending squads of undead soldiers to fight the advancing adventurers, but though the fight wearies them, they are able to hold their own and press on.
They stumble across a barricaded room, a single skeleton behind it, lifelessly clutching a small, black rectangle in his hand.
Thinking he knows how to get it this box to work like the last, Van tries to repeat what he did last time to get it to work.
After a few minutes, Van clicks something on the side of the box and it begins to speak.
"This is Senior Researcher Ellis Dwight. In case I don't make it out of here, I'm leaving this to help anyone that might try to escape after me and stumbles upon my rotting corpse."
"Ugh. There's an image I don't need to think about. Those things that overran the teleportation labs are breaking past our defenses here like paper. Some fool let half the bioweapons out of their cages to try and slow them down, but only a few are attacking... the rest are hunting down the research staff. Smart move."
"The rest should be contained, hopefully. Assuming none of those monsters thinks to shatter the cryocapsules."
"I've erased all data pertaining to bacteria and virus-based weaponry and sterilized the germ labs, so they won't be making any use of that. I don't know what the chemical or mutative people are doing about their sections."
"I hear something... All right, down to the meat of the matter. I remotely reset the lock on the emergency stair door to 12345. Easy to remember, huh? Had to change it... Some of the vaporous bastards...
...I... I saw them go inside Tellial... And then she wasn't her anymore... Anyway... I'm making a break for it soon. If I die, I hope this helps. Otherwise I can keep this tape as a memento and laugh over it as I have a drink at the bar. Light... I hope it's the bar. All right. Good luck, self."
Then the message cuts out.
The paladin grimaces as the message plays, sighing when the record ends. "The more I see of this Ancient world...the less I wish to. We should press on."
YsFanatic18 (7:25:08 PM): OOC: Sorry, but my ankle is bothering me, I'm going to go sit where I can prop it up.
The group moves on, battling past another group of mutants to reach a large room. The walls are lined with glass cylinders, more than a few that are cracked open, revealing a hollow interior. At the far end is another door.
Gail marches to the far door, motioning her group to follow before opening it.
You suddenly hear mocking female laughter. The laughter rises in volume as one of the cylinders suddenly is enveloped is a blast of steam. A light set into the wall next to it goes from green to red.
Gail wheels around to the opening capsule, raising her shield as she waits for whatever mystery approaches.
A great shattering of glass precedes a feral roar as a monstrous form claws its way free from its cylindrical prison. The laughter fades and vanishes as the monster stands. Carapace covers the creature, a pair of black eyes staring at you from a near-human like head. It stands on two legs and has two arms... but instead of hands, a pair of scythe-like blades juts from its arms. It roars a defiant challenge and charges towards you.
*Merkass rolls across the floor, attempting to divert the beasts attention while throwing it off from his movements. Standing, he knocks a set of 3 glowing arrows onto his bow and lets them fly simultaneously. They impact the monster in a surprisingly vital location. This is a good start.*
((Merkass crits for 165 damage over 3 arrows with manyshot))
Castor charges forward, cleaving deep into the creature's carapace.
((Castor charges for 71 damage))
The mutant roars as the arrows strike him, but stands his ground.
*Rhizor takes a moment to ready himself. He roars, clasping clawed fists together. Suddenly, his snout seems to distort and enlarge while his fangs grow more vicious.*
((Bite of the werebear cast))
The mutant seems to tense itself. The monster reels at Castor's blow, then retaliates with a quartet of claw slashes. The creature roars with savage delight as it rips into Castor's frame.
((Castor takes 52))
Ignatius gestures at the monster and a blast of eldritch energy scorches its flesh. The minotaur groans as groutesque slashes appear across his chest.
Raising his hands, the cold-attuned caster unleashed the ultimate might of cold.
((Freeze 4 cast; 78 damage, no save.))
The creature groans in pain as the spell hits it. The mutant apparently leaning hard on one leg as the assault finishes.
*Merkass takes a few steps back to distance himself from the behemoth might of this disgusting creature. He again simultaneously raises 3 arrows to bear, and launches them into the beast's belly*
The mutant moans in pain, then topples over, dead.
((Everyone gains 500 XP.))
*Rhizor and Merkass proceed to examine the creature and the room, respectively, looking for any semblence of clues as to what is going on here.*
It's got carapace like a crustacean's shell... but aside from it being humanoid, you don't really know.
Merkass finds that while most of the cylinders are shattered or empty, a number contain a variety of odd creatures in them. The voice, however, seemed to come from all around. He finds no trace of anyone else.
"Er, should we go? Rhizor, shouldn't you heal Castor?" Ignatius says, looking around.
*Rhizor tends to Castor's wounds with a clawed paw, the gashes closing quickly, far less severe than before. Rhizor then listens through the exit door, but hears nothing.*
((CSW 34 healed))
*Rhizor presses on the door, pushing it open.*
The door opens into a small hall with another door at the end. This one with an odd numbered panel next to it.
*Merkass searches for traps that may be in the hall*
Merkass notes that two floor panels are raised higher than the others by a centimeter.
*Unable to leave well enough alone, Merkass' curiosity gets the best of him, and he begins to try to understand what the trap triggers. Merkass masterfully manipulates the floor panel, and just as it seems he's about to disconnect the right wire, he slips and hits the panel. It looked as though he would find out soon enough.*
A warning klaxon goes off and a pair of large guns deploy from panels in the ceiling. A pair of bluish-white energy bolts shoot from the guns towards Merkass, burning the catman in two places.
((Take 44 damage.))
*Merkass grimaces in pain, then curses in Feline. He points to the other floor tile*
"Do NOT step there"
Van charges in, smashing a gun with his guisarme once he gets to them.
((19 damage))
*Merkass doesn't skip a beat, firing 4 dragonsbreath arrows into the gun emplacements.*
((79 damage + 4 fire over 4 arrows))
Van smashes in the barrel of one of the guns, causing it to go offline. The second turret sparks and shuts down under Merkass' arrow barrage. Merkass and Rhizor strain their ears, listening for anyone in pursuit, but hear nothing.
*Clutching his side, Merkass moves forward.* "We must leave now."
*Rhizor follows, laying a paw on Merkass, healing his wounds as well.*
((37 healed to Merkass)
The door with the panel next to it doesn't open to your touch. There are numbers on the panel running from 0 to 9.
Gail, recalling the recording provided by the scientist, punches in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 into the panel.
The door slides open with a pneumatic hiss, revealing the stairs downward.
((The group gains 100 XP for the trap room and 150 XP for the RP))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:23 am
Nodding his thanks to Gail's group, the bladesinger turned to the others within his own small force. "Alright... if they're already heading down, shall we finish exploring the rest of this floor and then search for other groups?" Graigus nodded in reply. "I don't see why not."
Farain clutched as his bow quietly. "This place is never ending... I'm all for finishing and getting out as fast as possible"
And so the elven swordmaster commanded his troops forward. Ash and the others backtrack to the stairs they had found after thoroughly sweeping this floor and finding it mostly empty save for the ghosts of the past and dust. Descending deeper into Megiddo, Ashathel's team fights back squad after squad of Drowned Eye and the occasional robot or demon. They move swiftly through the 28th and 27th floors, noting the fresh battlegrounds left behind by Cedric's team. They descend past the 26th and 25th floors, catching glimpses of their teammates moving deeper into the base as well. Corridor after corridor, room after room, and at last the group arrives at the 24th floor, at a small security checkpoint. As they exit the stairs,
TheUnknownMarine: they note an odd robotic cylinder with a green light on it sweeping the area from a corner in the ceiling. The room itself consists of a small metal door and a wall made of something reflective.
Langston steps forward to search the place.
The light on the cylinder goes from green to red and a warning klaxon sounds, accompanied by a neutral female voice. "Potential threat detected. Potential threat detected. Stairwell 4-E."
Langston doesn't find anything, but he notes that on very close inspection, part of the reflective material seems to be glass while the rest is some sort of metal.
Farain turned and looked to the light, his eyes widening. "Th-that can't be a good sign." He looked towards Ash, awaiting any sort of order.
"Huh," the acrobat said with a chuckle. "Reminds me o' the last time I tried to pick up on a cutie after the show, 'cept this thing only sees me as a potential threat."
"Potential threat detected." the voice affirms.
"Somethin' funny 'bout this though," the rat chimed passively. "Part of it's different."
"Well... does anyone have any idea what the hell that machine is blabbering about?" Ash asked.
He scratched at his chin with the edge of a long fingernail. "Kinda weird; why's part o' it glass and part o' it isn't?"
"Good question," the elf said. "Obviously, there's something that someone would want to see somewhere."
"There's no telling in a place like this," Farain said having calmed down a bit.
"Well... I've heard it said that fortune favors the bold, so... let's open the door and see what's on the other side?"
The centaur nodded and moved a hand close to his quiver, ready to pull out any arrows should the need arise. "Who's going to do it?"
"I will," Graigus said, doing just that.
Langston grinned. "You can always count on 'im."
The door opens to reveal the next room... A huge chamber with stack upon stack of metal cylinders.
Several signs on the walls have a flame symbol on them.
Langston's tail swished rapidly from side-to-side as he stepped in, looking around uneasily. He chuckled nervously. "Fire in a can maybe? Who wants that."
Langston hears some shuffling behind one of the stacks of cylinders.
Langston's ears twitch oddly; the ratman withdraws his blade, sniffing at the air. "Somethin's movin," he breathed, jerking his head in the direction of the sound.

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:41 am
The group fights their way deeper and deeper into the base despite increasingly stiff resistance. Finally, they manage to break into the thirteenth floor, which seems surprisingly devoid of enemies... "This is it... The command center should be just up ahead," Gilliam says.
Sorel holds up a hand. "Should we go in alone?" he asks.
Gilliam pauses.
"Who else is there?" Cedric looks to the druid with a frown, "We came here for this, the others have their objectives."
"We'll stop short of the center then..." Gilliam says. "For a little while. One or two of the others might catch up."
Sorel frowns to match Cedric. "We had not, I think, anticipated the degree of resistance we would meet on our way here. Our resources are significantly depleted. The battle with Xadoss was only a few hours ago," he notes, as if they had been wandering Megiddo for months.
"This dungeon is too hard," Gilliam complains. "I'm going to go play Super Metroid."
The paladin arches an eyebrow, "Time is of the essence..." He turns to the robot, "I will not risk the world being devoured by flames once more…." His eyes narrow, "The others are depending on us to strike off the head of this serpent." He nods to Faralon, then to others, "I know not for you but we will prepare ourselves for battle and wait not a moment longer."
Sorel hears a sound as if thousand voices whispering as light begins to gather in front of the group.
"Do you hear that?" Sorel asks. "Voices..."
A ghostly image of a man in a trench coat like military uniform with a gas mask covering his face walks in front of the group before vanishing shortly afterward.
"Do you remember, Gilliam?" a hollow voice echoes. "You were reborn here... In this place..."
((Kaihaku: Jim knows Gilliam?))
Cedric pauses from his casting to glance Gilliam, his eyes narrowing.
[Sense Motive: 20 + 10 + 21 = 51]
[Gilliam feels… Restrained anger, mostly. Shame too.]
((Biggest waste of a high sense motive ever))
"...Fasher..." Gilliam says, quietly.
((Vox: http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Vox/psycho_mantis_v11.mid ))
The apparition appears again for a moment behind Gilliam before vanishing again. "Nice to know you haven't forgotten, Colonel..."
"Forgotten what?" Sorel asks, looking at Gilliam.
[color=gray] "The names of his old comrades in arms... I must admit I was very surprised to learn that there was another Ancient still walking the lands..." Fasher says, his voice emanating from all around."Much less one that was fighting against us... You certainly have courage... if not even the commonest of senses..." Fasher says, "What do you really expect to accomplish here?"
Gilliam remains silent.
Fasher chuckles. "What... No words?"
"Perhaps there is nothing to say," Gilliam says, quietly.
Fasher merely chuckles again. "Nothing to say indeed... Standing there with the spawn of failure around you... What did you return here for? I don't even think you knew what befell this place after the final apocalypse..."
Spawn of your failure… Cedric ponders darkly, …restored by the Goddess.
"What did happen?" Sorel questions, eager to give reinforcements as long as possible to arrive.
"I doubt you mustered the strength to return even five hundred years after the fires claimed the world..." Fasher says, amused. "So was this chance then, our meeting once more? Fate?"
Cedric idly wonders what reinforcement Sorel was thinking about.
"What happened?" Fasher asks, a ghostly image of his face appearing near the druid. "You don't know? What happened in this place? What happened to the world?" "Well... Why am I surprised?" the image asks, vanishing. "Ignorance has been the hallmark of the world since our departure from it."
"And whose fault would THAT be, Fasher?" Gilliam angrily asks.
"Uh..." Zook says.
"Yours," Fasher replies, acidly. "And mine to a degree. Everyone's. What does it even matter?"
"If you claim responsibility for having destroyed your world, what can your word possibly be worth? What superiority could your civilization possibly have possessed?" Sorel asks.
"What superiority didn't we have?" Fasher asks. "Knowledge, culture, technology... We were on the threshold of crossing the line from mortal to immortals..."
"It appears you have," Sorel says sardonically, looking from the undead to the cyborg.
"I did what had to be done and no more. But enough of this..." Fasher says. "Come to the command center... I'll give you your answers... It's the least I can do to a group of dead men."
"Who else waits there?"
The voice is gone, and the silence behind gives no answers.
Cedric does not hesitate, nodding to Faralon and marching forward, speaking the familiar words of a prayer of protection.
Marching feet seem to be approaching you, sounds like about 9 or twelve people total.
You can hear from the way they speak to each other in passing they're not undead.
"Do you hear that," Sorel calls to the bloodthirsty Cedric. "More voices and footsteps, living ones. Perhaps it was wiser to wait after all."
*Aurik becomes filled with the holy spirit of Volcanon.
"Colonel Thorton!" Zook says, with Telanna and Gorrik in tow. "We wrapped up our mission, and decided to give you some assistance. Good timing, eh?" He looks around. "Where's Cedric?"
((Kaihaku: ...and we're marching.Go Cedric, Smash Cedric, Crush that skull Cedric.))
*With Ashathel and the others nearby, Aurik travels down the corridor to see Cedric in the middle of what he does best. Aurik proceeds to move ever more quickly down the hallway, waving an arm to his leader in an attempt to hail him. "Cedric!" *He exclaims.
"He's right there," Gilliam says, pointing.
The paladin pauses, his eyes narrowing with a frown, "What are you doing here?" He crosses his arms, "Did you make contact with the besieging forces as ordered?"
"Oh," Zook says, blinking. "Sorry. Didn't see you there. Guess your armor needs polishing. The besieging forces broke through, we'd have had to run through the base to meet up with them, and given how big it is it seemed more sensible to help you out."
*Aurik shakes his head, somewhat stilted, a tad shaken by his commander's venom. He breathes in deeply yet quickly.* "Not yet, Cedric. We have been... delayed in getting to the ground floor." Aurik relays the numerous ghosts, undead, and drowned eye they faced as they progressed through the floors of Megiddo.*
The paladin arches an eyebrow, glancing at Sorel, "Your team's chaotic influence seems to be spreading..."
"Well, if chaos means you don't charge to your death, it can't be all bad, can it?" Zook says, brightly. "Now, I managed to go through the archives and pick up some useful information about the Guardian Eye that we haven't beaten yet. There are three left; the Shade, the Swarm, and General Fasher."
Aurik arches an eyebrow of his own.* "Cedric, I might note that we were standed on the top floor and forced to march all the way to the bottom of this infernal, hellish nexus of tormented spirits."
((Kaihaku: When has the impossible ever stopped Aurik? ...oh wait, that was Isyndel. My bad. ))
Cedric holds up a hand to Aurik, cutting off his gory tale, "Enough, later, now we must prevent disaster." He nods to the command center, "Ancient, you do what you must to prevent those weapons from being used, we will deal with... " His eyes shine coldly, his words grim, "The enemy."
"Cedric, sir, if you could just hold off on the charge and smash for another moment there are some things you might like to know," Zook adds.
Telanna giggles. ((She's so sexy))
*Aurik watches Cedric with fear and horror as his leader transcends into the realm of homicidal maniac.
((Kaihaku: Wait. Wait. Transcends? Where HAVE you been? This is not something new. ))
((Knight: I almost put transcends once more))
((Kaihaku: Ah, ok. ))
"Now, the Swarm is a sorcerer whose specialty lay in summoning huge numbers of minions. So if he's there, we could get outnumbered in a hurry, which won't be good since we're down on firepower."
Cedric glances around the narrow halls, "Just how large is this command center that this is a concern?" He then tilts his head, "...and what other choice do we have?"
"It's pretty big, I'd think," Zook says. "Megiddo was a very important base. And would you let me finish!"
"It's a very large room," Gilliam says. "Easily the size of a large house."
"The Shade is a stealthy stabby type, like Kyoji but a whole lot better. He's got these artifact swords that...well he's really strong, and he'll be going for one killing blow."
"And he doesn't fall out of trees," *Aurik adds."
Zook goes on. "The worst is Fasher, who I've seen on camera feeds around the base. He's a 'psionicist', which is a kind of mental magician. How that's different from actual magicians, I'm not sure," Zook adds, looking hopefully at Gil.
"Psionics are a type of power based solely on the mind and not the arcane energy that fuels sorcerers and the like," Gilliam says. "It's fundamentally different than magic, even if the effects are oft similar."
"Did you just say oft?" Zook says, confused. "Who talks like that? Anyway, that's about all the stuff that's important to the fight, there's other stuff we'll need to talk about afterwards."
"...fascinating..." Cedric replies dryly, looking at the group with a frown, "The world is in turmoil, we have limited resources, and no opportunity to prepare for the battle within..." He then tilts his head, "Every moment increases the threat to our world and, yet, all of you are stalling for time...why?"
"It's really not as dramatic as you suggest," Zook says, looking down. "The world is not any closer to blowing up than it was five minutes ago, and it'll be a lot closer if we run in unprepared and get killed. But!
"I'm all done, so if no one else has anything to add..." Zook finishes, unshouldering his rifle. "We can commence the charge and smash."

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