The First Expedition: The Alchemist's Vault

"Further in!" Elara calls out, both in announcement of her intended attempt to escape the rising smoke and in suggestion that the others move with her, before striding as far as she can toward the eastern exit, desperately fleeing the pollutant that stings at her eyes and throat.

Feb 4, 2025 1:24 am

"Trix, go!" orders Subeen, staying back to provide guard as the Clairmonts move. The handmaiden prepares to follow once everyone has proceeded out.

Feb 4, 2025 2:33 am

Trix nods, her eyes watering, and scurries forward. She stops briefly to peer up the northward stairs before continuing east until the bend.

Feb 4, 2025 5:20 am

The choking smoke and flickering firelight cast jagged shadows as the expedition withdraws deeper into the vault’s humid depths. The air grows heavy with the scent of oil and rust as you press forward down the east passage, passing a stair that cuts straight up and to the north. A pair of wide double doors loom at the top, etched with intricate gears—silent, waiting.

Trix cautiously edges around the bend, peering into the dim corridor ahead. A long, narrow hall stretches into the gloom, ending in a stair that ascends beyond sight, swallowed by the ceiling. A second set of heavy doors splinters the passage to the east, their iron-bound frames sealed tight.

At the far end, a hulking guardian construct moves with mechanical precision, its heavy footsteps echoing in the stillness. A crimson eye glows like a burning ember, sweeping the corridor in a slow, methodical scan. In the center of its chest lies a silver command card, etched with crossed swords.

Feb 6, 2025 12:05 am

"Yowza! Another one," mutters Trix. Motioning for the others to hang back and be quiet, the gnome tries to snag herself another command card for her collection.

OOC:

Oh good god. 🤦‍♀️

Last edited February 6, 2025 12:05 am

Rolls

Sleight Of Hand - (1d20+5)

(1) + 5 = 6

Feb 7, 2025 6:48 pm

The moment Trix makes her move, the alert construct springs into action, thwarting her sorcerous pickpocketing. With an instant response, it locks onto her presence and surges forward, yanking a massive steel hammer from its internal housing as it charges.

Initiative Order:

Subeen & Trix
Guardian Construct
Elara & Elodie

Rolls

Construct initiative - (2d20h1+1)

(164) + 1 = 17

Init for Elara, Elodie, Subeen, Trix - (1d20+1, 1d20+3, 1d20+1, 1d20+6)

1d20+1 : (2) + 1 = 3

1d20+3 : (6) + 3 = 9

1d20+1 : (19) + 1 = 20

1d20+6 : (15) + 6 = 21

Feb 7, 2025 6:59 pm

Subeen was the last to enter the hallway as she ensured that nothing but smoke followed them. At Trix's warning, she hustles towards the fore with her shield and axe ready. "Crap," she sighs as her opponent is revealed; clearly Subeen did not care for battle against these unfeeling constructs as it was so difficult to get them to back down.

Steeling her jaw, Subeen stomps forward to intercept the guardian before it can reach the party. She tries to stand as a bulwark against its advance with an angry swing of her axe!

OOC:

Bonus Action: Rage. Gain 3 temp HP, provide 2d6 temp HP to Trix.
Action: Reckless Attack with battleaxe, applying Savage Attacker and Topple (CON save DC 15 or prone) on a hit.

Rolls

Battleaxe Reckless - Attack , Savage Attacker Damage - (2d20h1+5, 2d8h1+5)

2d20h1+5 : (1020) + 5 = 25

2d8h1+5 : (15) + 5 = 10

Trix Temp HP - (2d6)

(55) = 10

Critical hit damage - (1d8)

(7) = 7

Feb 8, 2025 2:28 pm

With singleminded focus, Trix tries for the command again while scurrying back towards the bend.

OOC:

Bonus Action: Mage Hand Legerdemain
Action: Disengage
Movement: Retreat south and east 'round the bend.

Rolls

Sleight Of Hand (disadvantage) - (2d20l1+5)

(11) + 5 = 6

Feb 8, 2025 2:29 pm

OOC:

Holy shit, that's three natural 1s in a row!

Feb 8, 2025 9:15 pm

The construct is knocked flat on its back as Subeen levels it with a mighty blow. It staggers back or its feet, and comes after Big Sue, hammer swinging.

DESTROY INTRUDERS

It catches her shoulder, and winds up for another swing.

OOC:

13 bludgeoning damage to Subeen, to be reduced to 6 by rage. Elodie and Elara are up!

Rolls

Attack vs. Subeen, damage - (2d20h1+6, 3d6+4)

2d20h1+6 : (1219) + 6 = 25

3d6+4 : (324) + 4 = 13

Feb 8, 2025 9:19 pm

MoMo Inactive for 26 days

OOC:

Subeen is now at 32/35 HP, after losing the 3 temp HP and applying the remainder.

Elodie Clairmont

Feb 8, 2025 11:36 pm

Elodie swoops in, trying to ignore the burning sensation still left in her lungs from the smoke as she stabs at the construct.

Rolls

Attack vs Construct (exhaustion penalty included) - (1d20+3)

(17) + 3 = 20

Damage - (1d8+3+2)

(4) + 5 = 9

Feb 9, 2025 1:50 am

jackiedva Inactive for 20 days

Elodie’s blade breaches the guardian’s armour with precise force, metal scraping metal in a spray of sparks. Yet the construct’s crimson eye remains steady, its long-restrained thirst for destruction finally unleashed.

OOC:

The guardian has AC 20, so that's a hit. Down to 34/60!

Lady Elara Clairmont

Feb 9, 2025 4:56 am

MoMo Inactive for 26 days

Falling into well-practiced formation behind her sister as Elodie strides out onto the front lines, Elara sweeps her arms in wide circles, a frosty tailwind tracing the path of her hands through the air before condensing in her upraised palm into a sharp, glowing blade of ice that she propels toward the construct on a blast of freezing magical wind.

Rolls

Ice Knife To Hit - (1d20+5)

(4) + 5 = 9

Ice Knife Piercing Damage - (1d10)

(10) = 10

Ice Knife Cold Damage (lvl 1) - (2d6)

(25) = 7

Elodie Clairmont

Feb 9, 2025 7:18 pm

Elodie whips around, trying to shield her face with her buckler.

Rolls

Dex Save - (1d20+3)

(12) + 3 = 15

Feb 9, 2025 7:52 pm

Subeen continues her assault upon the construct, uncaring of the shrapnel flying about. Once again she sweeps her axe across in a reckless attempt to knock the guardian down!

OOC:

2d6 Temp HP to Elodie!
Action: Reckless attack on construct, applying Savage Attacker and Topple if it hits.

Last edited February 9, 2025 8:01 pm

Rolls

Dex - Save DC 13? - (1d20+1)

(12) + 1 = 13

Vitality of the Tree temp HP for Elodie - (2d6)

(51) = 6

Battleaxe Reckless Attack, Savage Attacker Damage, Topple CON save DC13 - (2d20h1+5, 2d8h1+5)

2d20h1+5 : (1511) + 5 = 20

2d8h1+5 : (15) + 5 = 10

Feb 9, 2025 8:23 pm

OOC:

Construcr's Dex save vs ice knife - failed! Down to 26/30

Elara's ice knife explodes all around the construct, freezing in its joints and covering it in a fine layer of frost. The nearby expedition members deftly avoid the icy explosion.

Subeen levels another heavy axe blow on the construct. I tried to brace against the blow with its forearm, but Subeen's axe cuts clean throw the metal, sending a shower of sparks and metallic debris rattling down the corridor.

OOC:

Down to 16/60 hp, but remains standing

Rolls

Ice Knife Dex Save DC 13 - (1d20+1)

(11) + 1 = 12

Topple Con save DC 13 - (1d20+3)

(13) + 3 = 16

Feb 12, 2025 4:46 am

From her vantage point at the bend, Trix takes careful aim with her crossbow. She pulls the trigger, sending a magic-infused bolt streaking towards the construct.

OOC:

Steady Aim for Advantage.
True Strik to deal radiant damage.

Rolls

Light Crossbow - (2d20h1+5, 1d8+3)

2d20h1+5 : (620) + 5 = 25

1d8+3 : (4) + 3 = 7

Sneak attack damage - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Crit damage - (1d8, 1d6)

1d8 : (8) = 8

1d6 : (1) = 1

Feb 12, 2025 7:19 pm