DM Carl Monday July 15th, 2019 11:50:34 AM
Tiana gathers everyone in the heart chamber of the Iron Giant. She's really made herself at home in here. There are tables filled with paper and magical apparatuses. She's used magnets to fix more important documents directly to the interior walls. Anyone trained in the arcane can look at these and see she treats magic like a mathematical disciple. It really takes a lot of the mystique out of the arcane, but she seems to know what she's doing.
These formats will persist for the entirety of this module when all three are engaged in dialog.
***
"Ok, Madam Gem and I have been working this out. She says she likes to be called that.
"Yes, it reminds me of Succotash." "Even if he does seem a little too excited to see me sometimes."
"...and we've come up with a plan!"
The Dual Prismatic Aetherial Amplifier suddenly floats upwards. Twin streams of energy, pink and purple, flow from the Heart and into the DPAA. "We can use this to direct Madam Gem's raw magic into the broken tower."
"From what Tiana says, it seems evident that we're made from the same stuff that originally powered your tower." "That stuff being ancient Scab magic. It's raw power. Tiana really should be more concerned with handling it. "With my help, she will be safe, though!" "Seriously though, don't touch that thing while we're using it."
"There are two issues. One, we need to be a lot closer to the tower. Two, Madam Gem can't control the DPAA finely enough to keep it aimed correctly."
"I'm all thumbs."
Tiana casts a quick mage hand cantrip. "So, I'll need to keep it in-line with the tower's power source. That means one of you will need to get the Giant to the tower. There's only one way that's happening."
"I will need a pilot." "Cause evidently I'm too fat to move myself. No, I haven't forgotten that." "Regardless of size, I am not equipped to move the Giant. I require a pilot if we're going to get close to your tower."
Tiana purses her lips. "You should tell them what that entails."
"It means I get to hitch a ride in your brain." "That is correct. I will need to place a tiny part of myself into your consciousness." "and then we can be best friends forever. Yay." "Do not worry, though. I mostly do not speak unless it is necessary. I am very good at doing nothing for centuries at a time." "Just because I was abandoned in the dark by my creator for ages doesn't mean you need to keep me entertained. I get it. You get busy and can't always make time to talk."
"Also, whoever does that will have to devote everything they have to piloting. If a fight breaks out before we finish the ritual, you'll have to fight as the Giant. If you leave the control dais, the ritual will fail."
"Yea, but I promise I can punch way harder than any of you." "I am capable of great violence."
"Anyway, the ritual will take about 20 hours. We should probably start as soon as we can."
Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(13) AC 25 HP 128/128 Monday July 15th, 2019 2:08:27 PM
"Pressi and I share a mind link," Murphy says. "I rather appreciate it. It greatly facilitates communication... in various ways and circumstances."
"Madam Gem, if I were to pilot, I imagine she, too, could pick up on what we are saying. That could be useful in tactical situations.
"On the other hand, having two female voices in my head... or is it three? - for you, though one, speak in two voices. - what effect might that have on my mind?"
He gives a sardonic smile. "What would you think of that, Press? And do you foresee and challenges or benefits that may present, Madam Gem? Forever, you say?"
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 135/135 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 105/105 Monday July 15th, 2019 5:04:16 PM
Upon hearing about the mind link, Succotash steps forward and says, "I know I said I wasn't interested in piloting the Iron Giant, and for the most part that still holds true, but a link with Madam Gem would be something I think I would truly love. I can't explain why, heck I don't even understand it myself, but I feel a connection with Madam Gem, and a mental link with her would be something that I would cherish. I am more then happy to go along with whatever anyone else wishes, but I felt I needed to share my feelings".
Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(13) AC 25 HP 128/128 Monday July 15th, 2019 5:57:14 PM
"Great, Succotash. I think you may be on to something great," Murphy says, glad for the paladin's interest.
"Madam Gem - do you still have your link with Anur Daron? And can there be pilots who switch off with each other?"
Bliss is happy with either Murphy or Succotash taking the pilot's seat.
He is thinking that maybe Sir Succotash would make a better pilot, because Murphy can cast a slew of Entangles and Plant Growths to slow down the approaching army.
Heck, Bliss's new Wall of Thorns spell might help in that regard.
As for himself, Bliss plans to use the warding and sharing rituals with Mookie. He's still happy to give Miss Pressi the usual +1 for him and +1 for Mookie with her rituals if she needs a hand. He plans to have his coven members help out too.
He is wondering about other battle control stuff. His new cloak lets him cast Web once a day. He looks around for a wooded area where that would be more effective in creating a tangle. He asks Miss Talia if she has any spells to cast on enemy armies. Like Slow and Fireball and Stinking Cloud.
Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 90/90 Monday July 15th, 2019 8:54:02 PM
Talia wonders what being a pilot consists of, so she pipes up and asks. Asks Madam Gem, "What are the requirements for being a pilot of the Great Iron Giant? Do we all have what it takes, or does one have to inately magical to be considered? Althought I watched the Anur Pilot you, He did appear to be quiet comatose in the process. I am wondering if choosing any on the other members of the Humble Sword, might be actually humbling of us all?" finishes up Talia to the Madam Gem.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 149/149, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 Tuesday July 16th, 2019 6:30:10 AM
"Good idea, Talia!" says Kezzem. "Would you prefer someone strong, dexterous, hardy, intelligent, wise, or charismatic? Are there any skills that training in would be more beneficial to a pilot?"
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 112, CMD 22; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 Tuesday July 16th, 2019 10:36:12 AM
"Wow, what a kind and generous offer," Pressi began to say.
Just what we need, more voices in the head[/i Harper interjected.
"And I applaud Murphy's optimism that I won't burn this town to the ground myself if he does this," Pressi began tentatively, "but I think there are a few issues. One, I don't intend to be on the ground myself, so we need further lines of communication. Two, I agree with everyone else that other issues are at play... like I bet Madam Gem doesn't wildshape or cast very hard. Three, I don't share. And four, I still don't trust this thing entering ANYONE'S mind and I would completely bury it in the desert myself if I saw a glimmer of another option, and it doesn't even need to be a good option."
[i]No offense, dearie.
"That said, I am leaning towards Succotash. He's got the better relationship with Madam Gem, the protections if it turns on us, and the better understanding of martial tactics. We can use Mookie and Rayya as messengers if we leave the giant's shoulders open, and I can keep Murphy on the ground.
"As one last protection, I still have yet to prepare. When I do, I can set Word of Recall to the cockpit, in case of trouble... of any kind."
Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(13) AC 25 HP 128/128 Tuesday July 16th, 2019 1:25:50 PM
"Here is what I would like," Murphy mentally says to Pressi, "- but I want first to get Madam Gem's comments on what we have said thus far. I would like to be first to take the pilot's seat, at least for a few minutes. There are a few physical tests I would like to run with her. Then, let Succotash take the seat, and get us up to the tower. If she and I can then communicate while I am on the ground, that could be of enormous tactical benefit.
"As you - and Harper - feel resistant toward having too many more voices in your head - I'm pretty sure that what she says to me will not immediately be conveyed to you, unless I choose to allow my thoughts regarding what she says to pass on to you. I can try to keep it down to essentials.
"I agree with you and with Bliss that my best place, so long as I have spells and wildshapes available - is on the ground. But I also really, really want to sit the seat for at least a few minutes, and thus be in a stronger position to take the seat again without going through the initial adjustments I am certain will be the case for a new pilot. Not that 5 or 10 minutes will allow me to master things, but... I still want to sit the seat that long, then turn it over to Succotash. It sounds like Talia is also interested."
To all, he says, "I would like to sit the pilot's seat for a few minutes. There are some physical tests I would like to try, a few maneuvers. Then, after five to ten minutes, I would like to relinquish the seat to Succotash. I agree, all things considered, it would be better for him to sit the seat, and for me to be on the ground. WIth the mental link, as I am on the ground, in theory I could communicate to Succotash via Madam Gem as he pilots the Iron Giant.
"I take it, too, that you, Talia, have an interest in piloting. I'm fine with that at some point, so long as others concur. As Tiana has indicated, time is of the essence. Talia, you have very useful spells and skills that could be useful on the ground.
"Oh, Madam Gem - can spell casters send spells, amplify them outward, from within the Iron Giant? How might that work?"
DM Carl Tuesday July 16th, 2019 2:32:32 PM Murphy and Succotash both express a desire to pilot the Giant. The Encompassing Mind corrects one of Murphy's assumptions.
"Begging your pardon, but I will not be linking myself to your mind." "Yea, I'll be putting a piece of myself in your brain." "It's not a physical piece, though. It won't hurt." "I won't even be able to talk to it. It will be aaaaalllll yours." "As such, I am not linked to Anur." "But he's still a pilot. If he came here and the job was empty, he could take it."
Tiana speaks up. "You can both become pilots, but whoever's piloting once the ritual starts has to stay pilot for the whole thing."
Bliss doesn't seem interested in piloting and starts planning his next moves.
Talia asks a very good question.
"I require a willing, sentient pilot with an organic brain." "You folks are lucky that blue matrix was removed. It took a lot of willpower to keep control when it was around." "Yes. I tried to convince Anur to attack the dwarven caverns we passed through on the way here." "He kept saying they weren't our target, though. If he hadn't been so hard-headed, it might have worked." "That is no longer a concern now that it has been removed."
Kezzem follows up with a question of his own.
"My preferences are not important." "Yea, but the better you can fight outside the Giant, the better you can fight AS the Giant."
OOC: The Giant's attacks use your BAB, but the bonuses it gets makes that minimally important.
Pressi has strong feelings on this contraption they're in. She's able to cast word of recall to bring her to the cockpit at any time.
Murphy indicates a desire to try things out, but suggests Succotash should pilot during the ritual.
"Uh, you realize once I'm in there I'm not coming out, right?" "I'd be happy to make you a pilot, Murphy. I just want to be sure you know the specifics." "And no, I don't amplify any spells. You could stick a hand out one of my arrow slits and cast away if you'd like." "Yes, but the magic will function as normal."
Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(13) AC 25 HP 128/128 Tuesday July 16th, 2019 3:42:52 PM
Murphy takes in the deeper information. "So, you insert a part of you in our mind - but it's not physical. Is it a bit of intelligence? A link to your mind, or your system? Or simply a, something, an identifier? that lets you know that we are connected? A passcode?"
"As a physical fighter, Succotash is mighty, indeed. Multiplying that through the Iron Giant should be awesome. I have the willpower, but not the same level of strength.
"But, if the ritual is underway, and the giants show up, can the ritual continue while the Iron Giant is kicking, stomping, and throwing giants around? Or would the Iron Giant need to remain nice and close to the Giant Tower. Wow, we're going to be saying 'giant' quite a bit in the next day or two."
Murphy considers, and says, "Yes, please - if it is all right with the team, I would like to be a pilot. And would like Succotash to be the active pilot, after my brief introduction. If Talia, too, wishes it - that is, to be a pilot, shall we do that now, or consider it later? Talia - what are your thoughts?"
Inter alia, Murphy also has been looking over some of Tiana's writings, computations, sketches. He will ask her about some of them, and try to begin to understand the gist of what she has been writing.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 135/135 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 105/105 Tuesday July 16th, 2019 5:00:22 PM "Feel free to pilot and make the tests you want Murph, just remember that time is of the essence" Succotash reminds, he then asks, "Madam Gem, are the shoulder ballistas operational,and if so would anyone like to operate them? Kezzem, you have pretty good aim!"
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 135/135 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 105/105 Tuesday July 16th, 2019 5:02:05 PM
Succotash adds, "I would be honored to take fight in this thing if that is rhe wish of the Party"
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 149/149, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 Tuesday July 16th, 2019 5:36:37 PM
"Madam Gem, are the shoulder ballistas operational,and if so would anyone like to operate them? Kezzem, you have pretty good aim!"
"That's right, I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back home," says Kezzem. "They’re not much bigger than 2 meters. But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters! Guess that will have to wait. Actually, I don't even know what power converters are, or where Tosche Station. Don't know why I said that. Don't worry, I will use the force...of the shoulder ballistas...against the giants."
Bliss suggests that the Encompassing Mind should be the one to decide who is their pilot.
"It only seems fair, considering," he says.
Mookie, meanwhiles, has been experimenting. One moment he is wearing a vest, then a sweater, then a jump suit.
"Wowsy, those little pant legs are totes adorbs," says Bliss.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about," the toga-clad raven replies.
Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(13) AC 25 HP 128/128 - Spores (earlier) to Kade Tuesday July 16th, 2019 8:08:30 PM
Earlier aside I forgot to mention, but Murphy surely would have remembered - Kade's mushroom seed delivery
Murphy gave Kade the special mushroom spores he harvested as a tiny bat, keeping that promise - this was before the group met for dinner. He asked as to whether Hobie also got some spores to him, and whether he has heard anything from Hobie Browncloak or Jack TT Zaragosa.
Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 90/90 Wednesday July 17th, 2019 12:36:19 AM
Talia, follows the group decision.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 112, CMD 22; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 Wednesday July 17th, 2019 10:56:20 AM
Pressi frowns at Murphy's insistence, a clear sign that Murphy wins this argument.
"Ok, if you have an actual plan to be careful, I trust you. But I don't have to like it.
"Ok, moving forward. We are moving the machine from point A to point B, giant army presumably in the way. Lets presume Succotash in drivers seat, Talia, I and I presume Murphy in the air, and... Bliss, Kezzem, where are you two?
"The machine gives us some firepower, but is kind of slow and the friendly fire cannot be discounted. We need at least one flier scouting ahead... Might as well be Murphy, he's going to do it anyway and he's probably the fastest. Probably at least some guards by the legs, maybe the animals. That would probably leave Kezzem and Bliss at right and left forward flank, maybe?
"I'm thinking for prebuffs: spectral hand, animal growth, at least one polymorph, flying broom, and of course the ritual of warding and... lets go ahead and use shared spell shield of faith, that should last long enough. Anything else?"
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