Tornmawr Standoff
Log Info
- Title: Tornmawr Standoff
- Emitter: Aryia
- Characters: Thurid, MAC-B1G
- Place: Southern Birdge over Tornmawr
- Time: November 5th, 2021
- Summary: Pardoner Vakamu, an oruch inquistior of Althea, read a tome that he wasn't supposed to that was meant to be delivered to the Temple of Eluna. Maddened and hysterical, he destroyed the book and went on to the southern bridge to create a ward that would keep all outsiders out, to finally have some peace in all the madness. The Watch attempts to dissuade him but orders from the Temple make so they can't put him down. Thurid and MAC-B1G arrive and manage to talk him down, pointing out the flaws in the ward, and careful words manage for them to get close enough. However, the wards do let in a aberration, and just before they're able to get Vakamu to safety, it pops out from the shadows and attacks! MAC and Thurid catch it before it attacks, them prepring themselves and readying. Vakamu gets stabbed by the Gug's claw, managing to scrabbling away into the guards while destroying more of his drawings. MAC charges in, pummling the creature into mincemeat while Thurid attempts to make them not attack. It's not successful, and the multi limbed being tears into both of them with ease. After a near miss of MAC being almost thrown off the bridge into the waters, Thurid shores up the last of the fight and crushes the Gug into the afterlife. The Pardoner is healed by Thurid and arrested, and retrived by Silverguards and Seers.
- Southern Bridge of Tornmawr. High Noon.
"VAKAMU! You're surrounded! Cease your inscriptions or we'll be forced to open fire!" a watch Sargeant shouts at the figure in the middle of the bridge. Belchers, bows, and crossbows and readied and loosely aimed. Yet still, the figure continues to draw.
"No no no no, you don't UNDERSTAND! You CAN'T UNDERSTAND! ONLY I CAN!" the orc on the bridge bays, his vestments tattered as he looks up with glassy eyes. In his hand was a nub of chalk, and at his feet is an intricate diagram of runes and symbols that spiral around. A clear 'line in the sand' is drawn on both ends of the bridge, and neither side of the Watch has dared cross it, were the Lucht getting their leg tended to anything to go by.
The adventurers should be here soon to handle this....
Hopefully...
Thurid makes her way towards the bridge, winged helm sitting atop her head and gleaming golden armor shining in the morning sun. The haft of her hammer rests on her shoulder as she walks along, supported in her two hands. As she draws near to the guards by the side of the bridge, she slows. "Hail, friends. What seems to be the trouble?" she asks, peering over their heads towards the delerious academic.
'Adventurers' is a broad categorization. Some may approve, others may not. Some do not fully parse the designation. With all the poise, grace, and inconspicuousness of a bipedal wagon loaded with ore, Multi-purpose Assault Construct, designation Bravo One Gamma approaches the checkpoint surrounding the commotion.
It comes to a halt at the guard checkpoint, faceplate panning to scan the local enforcement units, beyond to the bridge occupant, and back. "Query: Status report of current situation."
One of the musketmen with a shaky aim looks over their shoulder and relaxes a smidge at the sight of Thurid and Mac. "Oh thank Daeus you're here," they shudder, then gesture out towards the Oruch that was scribbling down sigils on the ground, snarling and snapping at any that they thought were getting closer. "Lyndi tried to see what was wrong with him earlier, but he broke her leg with one punch! And we were about to put 'em down, but a Silver Guard came screaming down here with a missive saying that we can't do that."
The Sergeant attempting negotiations catches the conversation, them lowering their speaking stone to add in: "And the Pardoner knows it. We haven't a damn clue what he's doing."
Thurid glances across as MAC shows up and offers the automaton a nod in greeting before she looks back to the shaky musketman. She listens noding her head at the pertinent details in the assessment given, and claps him on the shoulder giving a firm squeeze. The shoulder which doesn't support his trigger hand. "Alright, we'll see to this." she assures him.
Turning back towards MAC, she tells him- "I've some spells to try and calm or bind him. Failing that, we might need to knock him out. But either way, we should start with talking, I think. If it comes to it, are you equipped to bring him in without harm? I've rope, if we need it." she adds.
MAC-B1G's faceplate pans to Thurid at the inquiry following the mission briefing. "This unit possesses non-lethal countermeasures. Retrieval and detainment are not primary functions," it advises. "Subject surrender preferred."
The Sergeant sighs, having to weigh their options for a moment before giving a grave nod. "We'll leave this to you two then. Just know, if he gets loose, our hand may be forced. We can't have another Noble District incident."
At that, the negotiator raises the stone in their hand, and their voice becomes amplified as he steps up to the chalk line. "Vakamu! A couple people wish to speak with you! One is a priest!"
The orc stops briefly, only to resume drawing, this time on his feet. "Leave. Leave leave! The temples DON'T UNDERSTAND what they toy with!" the Pardoner babbles.
The lead Watch on scene sighs, and hands over the stone to either the giant-born or the golem. "Good luck." The Watch clears a space for the two to stand behind the chalk line.
GAME: Thurid rolls knowledge/religion: (14)+6: 20 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls knowledge/arcana: (3)+12: 15 You paged Thurid with 'The temples requests for odd items is a strange one, and it doesn't make much sense all on their own. But, seeing this diagram, Thurid can tell that some kind of... ward is being drawn. It excludes a lot of extraplanar beings, yet lets in some of the more mind twisting kind: Aberrations.' You paged MAC-B1G with 'It's a bit esoteric as to what they're drawing, but there are runes denoting heavy transmutation magics, and a moderate amount of conjurations. Lining the outside of the diagram is a ton of abjuration symbols.'
Thurid frowns and rubs the back of her neck, letting her hammer rest on her shoulder as she reaches out to take the stone. She brings it over to her mouth and clears her throat, "Pardoner Vakamu! I am Thurid, Warrior of Angoron." she informs him. "I see you're crafting a ward! Very wise, when you fear evil. But this ward is flawed. It allows passage to unknowable things." she tells him, taking one pace nearer, just past the line of guards- and then stops there for the time being to see how he reacts. "Why don't we talk about this, instead of shouting across the bridge. You can tell me what troubles you- I am told I listen well!"
Communication may not be MAC's primary purpose, either. It may not even qualify as tertiary. As Thurid addresses the Pardoner, it examines the symbology inscribed upon the bridge. Mana-related issues -are- within its scope of purpose. "Warning: Offensive and defensive measures detected. Approach with caution."
GAME: Thurid rolls diplomacy: (20)+10: 30 (vs DC 25) GAME: MAC-B1G rolls spellcraft: (8)+13: 21 (Aiding)
The Watch backs away to give space as the two take up the negotiating area. Vakamu snaps his gaze up to the two, and settles on Thurid. His eyes are glassy, clouded. They flick down to his symbols that he's drawn around him, on him, before blathering at her. "You don't KNOW! You... you can't know! No one should know!"
He shuffles on his knees towards her some, looking like he is inspecting the runes, but doesn't seem to react to Thurid's testing advances. "Why... why would they harbor such THINGS! This... this will keep them out! All of them! E-Even if something small gets through... w-we can deal with THAT!" he bargains.
A trail of ruined sigils begins to form behind him as he draws a smidge closer.
"How could I know?" Thurid wonders as she takes one more pace nearer the scribbler. "You've not told me, but I will hear you if you wish to speak. What are you keeping out? Demons?" she wonders then, and gestures towards the signs. "This will work for them, and other beings besides." she agrees. "But it allows passage for others, Wyrd things that twist the mind." she says then. "Have you had contact with one of them? One of those strange things? Is it them you wish to ward off?" she wonders.
MAC-B1G takes a stride forward as the Pardoner does similarly and nos vocalizes across the distance at Vakamu. "Clarification requested. What protections were enacted? What threats do the protections affect?" It's focus shifts between the sigils and their maker. The construct could be genuinely curious. It could be humoring. In either case, inquiring minds wish to know.
GAME: MAC-B1G rolls perception: (10)+14: 24 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls spellcraft: (12)+13: 25 (Against DC 20) GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+15: (10)+15: 25 (Stealth) GAME: Thurid rolls diplomacy: (10)+10: 20 (Against DC 20) GAME: Thurid rolls perception: (20)+10: 30
The distraught Pardoner drops their chalk and shakes their head like a dog ridding water from them. He clutches at the sides of his head. "No. No! Not demons! No more demons! There can't be more demons! The... the book. They had a book! A tome! O-On the most horrible things I- I couldn't I couldn't let it stay! I... I had.. I had to rid it! But now its all in my head! It won't go! I KNOW what the Wyrd can do! The fiends! Everything!"
A mixture of madness and broken resolve meet MAC's faceplate. "I-It's... it's supposed to ... k-keep everything out, out. S-So people can... h-have a bit of peace..."
Negotiations seems to be going well, as the Pardoner shuffles closer and collapses to his hands and knees.
Across the bridge, there's a murmur of gathering as some of the wards begin to blow away from the wind. Yet. There was no wind. Shadows bend and warp strangely on the other side of the bridge, using the large diagram as a conduit to approach. None spot it. Except... MAC-B1G. And Thurid.
Something's coming.
Thurid seems prepared to continue with the negotiations- but something catches her eye. Not a glimpse of something, more like a glimpse of where something should be but is not. She stands up straight, and a hand comes to grip her holy symbol and hold it aloft. "Angoron, lend us your conviction, that we might show a fraction of your heroism!" she bellows out, and a crack of thunder emanates from the clear sky, accompanied by a surge of light from her holy symbol which washes over her and those near her, instilling in them surety of motion and clarity of thought.
"Everyone, stand away from the bridge- something approaches from the east!" she calls out, glancing back over her shoulder to make a 'stay back' gesture with her hand.
GAME: Thurid casts Blessing of Fervor. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18
MAC-B1G's cyan receptors shift to the new, approaching... form. "New presence detected. Threat indicators high. Engaging defenses." With a whir of moving parts and the staccato pings of metal upon metal contact, additional plating begins to telescope out to cover its chassis, including reinforment over its faceplate.
GAME: MAC-B1G activates its Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Str GAME: MAC-B1G casts Toughen Construct. Caster Level: 10 DC: 14
The shadow seems to speed up as callouts happen, a dual shadowed hand reaching out towards the Pardoner, about to claim its prize. But, the ruined sigils knock them out of the shade, multiple hands pulling itself free from the incorporeal umbra and manifest into a towering, grey mass of menace. A horrible, vertically aligned mouth and arms that split at the elbows into twin clawed hands.
It looks down at the Pardoner, then to the others before gnashing its maw in a sickly manner. "He's miiiiinneeee...~" <Undercommon>
Thurid turns back towards the... thing approaching, and she begins walking towards the shadowy figure, hefting her hammer ready as her pace begins to pick up. "He belongs to no one!" she bellows her strength. "Angoron, Mountain on High! Lend me your strength that I may strike down this foul being!" she bellows, her feet falling heavier as she expands in size- her skin glowing from within, and lightning crackling from her eyes. She skids to a stop, holding her hammer at the ready to defend the creature.
GAME: Thurid casts Righteous Might. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+17: (13)+17: 30 (AoO on Pardoner) GAME: Aryia rolls 1d6+7: (5)+7: 12
Vakamu's eyes widen as the Wyrd being manifests behind him. Scrabbling, and still out of his mind, he clambers to he feet and starts to try and make a break for the guards, but one of the massive claws shoots out and impales him in his side. He gasps, falling forward as crimson coats the ruined chalk inscriptions.
GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+17: (15)+17: 32 (AoO on MAC-B1G) GAME: Aryia rolls 1d6+7: (1)+7: 8 (3 due to DR 5/Adamantine) GAME: MAC-B1G rolls weapon4+2: (14)+15+2: 31 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls 2d6+8: (9)+8: 17
"Ownership claim disputed. Cease and desist," the construct explains to the shadowy thing even as it begins to stride heavily, and rapidly towards it. It does not stop even from the pre-emptive strike, until it slams one conical 'fist' into the obviously unwelcome and unnatural entity.
<OOC> Aryia says, "on mac" GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+17: (7)+17: 24 GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+17: (14)+17: 31 GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+17: (20)+17: 37 GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+17: (3)+17: 20 (not confirmed) <OOC> Aryia says, "thurid attacks" GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+17: (20)+17: 37 GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+17: (1)+17: 18 (EPIC FAIL) (not confirmed) GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+17: (16)+17: 33 GAME: Aryia rolls 1d8+7+1d6+7+1d6+7-15: (6)+7+(4)+7+(5)+7+-15: 21 (Mac damage) GAME: Aryia rolls 1d6+7+1d6+7+1d6+10: (1)+7+(5)+7+(1)+10: 31 (Thurid damage, Rend)
GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+3: (12)+3: 15 (Watch attacks) GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5
Seeing as its prey is getting away, the creature snaps at the two offending meal blockers. "No... move! GET OUT OF MY WAY!" it snarls, its four arms lengthing and whipping around. It bites down onto the metal plating of MAC-B1G, two sharp claws tearing into what it can while the other ones jab into Thurid's side, pivot inwards, and tear outwards to inflict as much pain and damage as horrifically possible.
The Watch scramble, some going further away to block up the roads, others shaken, some barking orders to fire. A few let loose bolts, and they stick into the being. But it barely flinches during its slaughter. <undercommon>
GAME: Thurid rolls 9+4+4: (15)+9+4+4: 32 (Defensive cast) GAME: Thurid casts Forbid Action. Caster Level: 9 DC: 15 GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+12: (13)+12: 25
Thurid glances back over her shoulder as the Pardoner flees, and barks back, "Tend to his wounds!" to the guards. She turns back to her target just in time for it to laush out with its claws, raking across her chest and causing crimson streaks to bloom across her where the claws bite deep. She winces, and then holds out her hammer, slamming the head down hard on the ground. She hold sher hand towards the creature, and bellows, "STAY YOUR HAND!"- a resonant echo to her voice, as she attempts to impose her will upon the creature- unflinchingly staring down its lashing claws as she casts.
She hefts the hammer back to ready and takes a pace closer, glawing at the beast.
GAME: MAC-B1G rolls weapon4: (16)+15: 31 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls weapon4: (9)+15: 24 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls weapon4: (6)+15: 21 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls weapon4: (16)+15: 31 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls damage4+2: aliased to 2d6+8+2: (9)+8+2: 19 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls damage4+2: aliased to 2d6+8+2: (12)+8+2: 22 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls damage4+2: aliased to 2d6+8+2: (8)+8+2: 18
"Negative. Command authority not recognized." MAC is not required to comply with all commands given, however the creature should. "Desist." Power is redirected to to primary manupulative actuators and hydraulics as it strikes at the creature with a one-two slam. Followed by piston extension of each foremanipulator to add a second one-two.
GAME: Thurid rolls weapon11+2+2: (12)+11+2+2: 27 (AoO) GAME: MAC-B1G rolls weapon4+2: (4)+15+2: 21 (AoO) GAME: Thurid rolls 3d6+8: (15)+8: 23
GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20+19+2+2: (16)+19+2+2: 39 (Bull Rush. 15 feet) GAME: MAC-B1G rolls reflex: (15)+9: 24 (Reflex to not fall off the bridge)
GAME: Aryia rolls 1d20: (19): 19 (Vakamu will)
Vakamu watches the whole ordeal, the blood flying, the yelling, the creature trying to get him. Something within in breaks, and the large orcish man bursts into tears as he collapses to his hands and knees, wiping away at the drawings he made. "Althea! Mother! Forgive me! I'm so sorry!" he pleads before a number of hands grab him and yank him into the safety of the Watch. His wounds are tended, but soon he's slapped into manacles.
With the long hands whipping around to slash and maim, the repeated destruction from the war machine makes the multi jointed Gug scream horrifically in pain. It twists unnaturally fast around them, getting a hammer in the side before all four limbs conjoin into a massive flesh bat. "BEGONE METAL FLESH!" it roars, punting Mac into the air with impressive strenght. Almost succeeding in being rid of the machine, but MAC-B1G manages to catch themselves on the inner railings of the bridge. <Undercommoon>
GAME: Thurid rolls weapon11+2+1: (15)+11+2+1: 29 GAME: Thurid rolls weapon11+2+1-5: (18)+11+2+1+-5: 27 GAME: Thurid rolls damage11+1: aliased to 3d6+8+1: (15)+8+1: 24 GAME: Thurid rolls damage11+1: aliased to 3d6+8+1: (13)+8+1: 22
Thurid adjusts the grip on her hammer, stepping in as the creature does, facing it's eyeless maw down. "Begone, monster." she growls, and then hefts her hammer high over her head. The veins on her throat and temple bulge as she hefts the anvil-sized earthbreaker up, the muscles of her arms, shoulders, back swell. Her face grows red, and her knuckles white as they twist around the grip of the hammer. Her foot lifts off the ground as she rears back.
And then she brings it down, crashing straight into the creature's gaping maw. It doesn't stop when it hits- driving the creature down to a knee as her foot stomps into the bridge, sending a tremor through its stones. "RUUAAAARH!" she bellows, voice thundering against the stones of the bridge as she hefts the hammer back up again. Before the creature can regain its footing, she brings it crashing down on it again, driving it fully into the bridge and crushing it under the enormous weight.
MAC-B1G is fortunate that the bridge is so well constructed, and/or that the railing spars are so close together. It is kept on the bridge only by the fact that its ambulatory ground-contact segments are large to spread its weight. One is caught in the railing, preventing its fall.
On the other manipulatory appendage, this also leaves it dangling awkwardly for a time. Myomer bundles and actuators strain to right it enough to secure purchase on the railing to pull its mass back onto the bridge travel surface. Only then can it properly re-assess the situation. "Threat neutralized."
The massive horrific monstrosity has many eyes on it from windows and balconies along the river, going toe to toe with Angoron's Warrior. It reaches forward with all four claw hands to stop the hammer from coming down, but it wasn't ready for the strength of the fell. There's a sickening crack and crunch is the creature pancakes on itself, only just barely able to keep itself together to try and rend something more out of the closest flesh next to it.
Then its crushed again, the bridge shaking some as a small crater is left with a smoking mass of twitching flesh. It gurgles its last breath.
And the madness is brought to an end.
The watch begin to cautiously go at ease, a few learned of the group carefully disarming the rest of the sigils as it begins to power off. The Pardoner, in manacles, is being hauled to their feet as they're blubbering to themselves, falling over some as his legs were weak from all the horrors.
"Gather together the injured." Thurid calls out, hefting her gore-caked hammer up to rest on her shoulder, stll dripping abberant blood from its head as she paces towards the guards. "I can tend to them." she adds as she steps closer.
Waiting for those who want to gather close, she calls upon Angoron once more to send down a wave of healing energy to wash over them.
GAME: Thurid rolls 5d6: (14): 14 (Channel positive, healing)
With the unexpected threat reduced to inert parts, MAC makes a slow 360 by rotating its faceplate. The Watch and citizens are noted, as is the Pardoner in custody. The additional armor plating folds and stows itself for later use. "Situation normal. Taskforce directive complete." It then looks to Thurd as she gathers others. "Do you require repairs?" it inquires as there is a sudden burst of energy. "Inquiry rescinded."
The Lucht that had their leg snapped sighs in relief as some healing abates the pain, and the Pardoner seems more steady on their feet. Slowly, the bridge is cleared off, some making off the damage to the bridge to fix later. The Sargeant approaches, and runs a hand through their hair. "Much appreciated for the help. That would have turned out far worse if you two hadn't shown up."
A small ensemble of Seers and Silverguards arrive. They speak with the ones handling Vakamu before pointing to the party of two. The guards nod, then hand over the burbling Pardoner, only to be clad further in nethercite chains and hauled off.
Just a normal afternoon, nowadays.
-End Scene-
Combatty
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |MAC-B1G |WAR_GOLEM |Art | 90 | 110 |24/22/14 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 4 | |Thurid |GIANTBORN |Clr | 63 | 76 |23/21/14 | 25 | 9 | 5 | 10 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Name | CHP (T) | HP | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | MAC-B1G.......| 90 | 110 | | Thurid........| 63 | 76 | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The monster: https://2e.aonprd.com/Images/Monsters/Gug.png
