The Wayfinders - The Wreck of the Archon

[SelcSilverhand]

The night passes peacefully. The surface of the ship is much quieter than the interior and the air is fresher. An hour after you settle in the tiny automaton resumes activity. It quietly squeaks and creaks as it moves about the store. After making a circuit of the room it quietly approaches one of your packs to examine the worn and battle damaged leather. After a moment of study it produces a heavy needle and thread and sets about making minor repairs. It seems harmless enough so you let it be. Throughout the night Henrick mutters fitfully in his sleep but seems at least to rest easier now that he is outside the ship.

The morning sun struggles to penetrate the thick clouds overhead and the air hangs heavy about you. You scout the outside of the building but see no signs of anything having passed that way during the night. You take the time to eat a filling breakfast before loading your gear. The group steps out onto the streets and spreads out. There are many side alleys along this street and the rubble lying about that could hide lurking enemies. The towering buildings give the area a closed in feeling contributing to your unease. You set out in the direction that Henrick indicates will lead you to the bow of the ship. He trails along in the rear casting nervous glances over his shoulder. In the doorway of the shop the little automaton stands on the stoop and watches you go.

Your pathway almost immediately is blocked by a fallen building. It forces you down a side alley and over some trash before you clear the ruins. You come across more blockades, some look like they were constructed after the city crashed. You can see areas where blocks and rubbish were hastily piled up to create walls. From the dark blood stains preserved by the Mourning's magic you can tell that these defenses did not save the defenders. After an hour of working your way carefully through the debris you spot your destination. A vast, half dome structure rises at the front of the ship. It is still another street or two over, but you can tell that it must have been an important location. The still air is suddenly split by a bolt of lightning that streaks between a nearby tower and strikes with a crack somewhere near the base of that structure. You hear the screeching sound of tearing metal and a loud clash followed by more distant noises coming from the half dome building.

OOC: Sorry for the long wait, should be back on track now!

 

[Dr Simon]

"Wonder what they were fighting?" says Kraken as he passes be the barrier. Then there is the lightning bolt, and his falchion is in his hand as he moves to a section of cover where he can try to see where it came from.

 

[jkason]

Midian calls on his masking magics again to hide the party from creatures who might normally track them through skill or scent, though in the open atop the city, he recognizes they may be more likely to be spotted. Still, the precautions seem warranted.

His mood is improving with access to light and fresh air, and even lifts at the sight of their next goal. Then lightning rips the air, and he flinches.

"Were those the city defenses?" he asks, trying to spot the source of the lightning bolt. "Or do we have other casters running about?"

[sblock=ooc]Perception (1d20+17=33)[/sblock]

[sblock=mini-stats]Full Sheet

[b]HP:[/b] 66/66      
[b]AC:[/b] 21        [b]AC(T):[/b] 14    [b]AC(FF):[/b] 18 
Wildshape base AC: 15
Medium/Huge Animal AC: 17
Medium Magical Beast AC: 19
Medium Air Elemental AC: 20, Darkvision 60', fly 60 (perfect), from Ref +4 bump: Reflex save to +8, CMD to 24
Medium Water Elemental: AC 20, Fort save: +11, +2 HP / level (con bump), Darkvision 60', Swim 60'

Conditions:  
 Full Party: Negate Aroma & Pass Without Trace (both 8 hours)

[b]Init:[/b] +02
[b]BAB:[/b] +6/+1     [b]CMB/CMD:[/b] +8/22     [b]ACP:[/b] -3 (Wildshape: 0)    
[b]Perception:[/b] +17

Saving Throw    Base   Mod   Misc*  Total
Fort:            06     1     +2    +9      
Ref:             02     2     +2    +6       
Will:            06     6     +2    +14

* Cloak +2
Conditional: +4 vs. spell-like fey & plant effects (Resist Nature's Lure)
Resist Cold 10
 
[b]Weapon                  Attack   Damage     Critical[/b]
Shortspear................+8.....1d6+2.........x2
Shortspear, full attack...+8/+3..1d6+2/1d6+2...x2
Shortspear, thrown........+8.....1d6+1.........x2, range 20'
Sling.....................+8.....1d4+2.........x2, range 50'
Sling, full attack........+8/+3..1d4+2/1d4+2...x2, range 50'

Special: +1d6 cold damage on slam attacks in Water Elemental form (shard exposure).

[b]Surge:[/b] 9/9 remaining (CMB +14)

Magical Feats: Spell Focus (Conj), Augment Summoning, Natural Spell

[b]Spells:[/b]
0st Level / DC16/17 6 Day : Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Mending, Stabilize, Spark
1st Level / DC17/18 4+2+D Day : Detect Aberration, Liberating Command, [s]Negate Aroma[/s], [s]Pass Without Trace[/s], Ray of Sickening, Ant Haul, Obscuring Mist (D)
2nd Level / DC18/19 3+2+D Day : Delay Poison, Soften Earth and Stone, Stone Call, **Frigid Touch, Resist Energy, Slipstream (D)
3rd Level / DC19/20 3+1+D Day : Hide Campsite, Aqueous Orb, Spider Climb (Communal), **Call Lightning*, Water Walk (D)
4th Level / DC20/21 2+1+D Day : Freedom of Movement, Dispel Magic, **Ball Lightning, Control Water (D)

* attuned to empowered spell shard
** Eberron shard can recall evocation spells up to 4th level: 2/2 remaining

[b]Wand charges:[/b] 27/28 remaining.
[b]Wild Shape:[/b] 3/3 remaining

Used: Scroll of Water Breathing[/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Doral takes a step back and looks momentarily stunned when the cacophony reaches his ears. Recovering he says, "It would seem as if we are not the only group of artifact hunters operating in this area. I believe we are hearing the sounds of combat, and if so we should inquire as to whom is fighting what in yonder dome."

 

[Shayuri]

"Lets get in closer before we announce ourselves," Whisper suggests, "And see who's winning first. Maybe our two problems will neutralize each other and leave the prize for us."

 

[SelcSilverhand]

Midian's sharp eyes pick up a gleam of bronze and steel inside a balcony at the top of the tower. The object or figure moves backwards and is lost in the haze and shadow. Moving forward carefully from cover to cover you draw closer to where the battle was taking place. The sounds of combat are no longer audible despite moving nearer to the dome. You find a pile of broken stones that provide meager cover to hunker down behind and observe the area ahead. Before you is a large, wide open street nearly 40' across walled in by a few squat buildings and two tall spindly towers. One tower is snapped in half with the upper part fallen into one of the buildings and the next two streets over. The second tower stands around 100' tall and has a bulb shape at the top. From it several openings can be see facing four directions. The interior is dark and you can't spot any movement from down here. An iris doorway is set at ground level and is currently closed.
The dome building is very large, half as tall as the towers and wider than the street. Two large iris shaped doors fit into the center while two more smaller man-sized doors sit on either side of those. The ground is marked with a fresh blackened scorch mark from which wisps of smoke still curl. There are a few large chunks of stone thrown from the damaged tower, but very little cover between here and the main doors. There are large mosaics marked into the street featuring spirals and radiating lines. Amid the markings you think you can see dark fluid leading towards the dome.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"The dark liquid is a curious addition, and I cannot but hope that the abomination haunting this vessel has been struck a vicious blow. I shall look about." Doral crouches down as he quickly moves forward, using his boots of elvenkind to stay quiet and goggles of minute seeing to try and discover hidden traps or snares along the way.

OOC:
1d20+18=32, 1d20+19=34
Move Silently of 32, Perception of 34.

 

[jkason]

Midian frowns.

"I can take a very small form and see if I can scout around. I don't know that even twitchy folks are likely to waste lighting bolts on a thrush," Midian offers. "Though I suppose if they're hungry enough, they might decide thrush would be a tasty treat."

 

[Dr Simon]

"It is," says Kraken. "How about a crow? Nobody eats those buggers, eh?"

 

[Shayuri]

"They might have been fighting those creatures," Whisper points out. "If so, they wouldn't necessarily be hostile to us. We could try to talk to them."