Sunk Cost Fallacy

Log Info

• Title: Sunk Cost Fallacy
• Emitter: Cryosanthia
• Characters: Nemori, Robert, Rocky, Sabina
• Place: The Inmost Sea, Alexandros
• Time: Saturday, November 26, 2022, 7:52 PM
• Summary: The site of a past tragedy is tainted by dread misery and lethal accidents. Alexandria's government worries about the viability of shipping lanes and sub-contracts through the Adventurer's Guild to see the problem resolved. A quartet of such individuals is dispatched on a small, fast-moving ship to investigate, diving with the aid of divine magics. They find the remains of one wreck and encounter a murderous creature haunting the ship's husk. The group is able to ward off the undead long enough to destroy its anchor point and send it to eternal rest.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Nemori       4'10"    110 Lb     Mul'niessa        Female    A tall and slender, dark skinned elf.
Robert       6'3"     235 Lb     Human             Male      A middle-aged Cerenzan with a friendly, fatherly vibe.
Rocky        6'8"     460 Lb     Sith-Makar        Male      A grey Sith in armor, bit like a statue.
Sabina       5'4"     130 Lb     Human             Female    Tsuran woman of dark hair and green eyes.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     291 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

The Inmost Sea

A week ago a ship was lost in a storm off the coast, past the rocky outcrop of the Redridge Mountains, where the underwater ridge drops off into the deep.

There were no survivors.

Ships that have passed the last known location have had their crew gripped by sudden fear, an overwhelming thalassophobia that makes them eager to leave the area.

The guards were tasked with investigating, leading to a subcontract to the Explorer's guild, and a small cutter carrying the willing troubleshooters out to the location. Several hours of sailing and the small boat is over the correct spot, if the unsettling feelings are to be believed.

>>SPLASH<< An anchor is thrown over. The captain, a weathered Oruch, growls, "Here. Getting the heebie jeebies. You read to drop over?"

The cutter's small crew has clustered around their captain, drawing strength from his stoicism.

GAME: Nemori rolls will: (18)+9: 27 (Vs DC16 - Success)
GAME: Rocky rolls will: (15)+3: 18 (Vs DC16 - Success)
GAME: Robert rolls Will: (16)+4: 20 (Vs DC16 - Success)
GAME: Sabina rolls will: (1)+11: 12 (EPIC FAIL) (Vs DC16 - Fail) Shaken, -2
<OOC> Sabina can say both my 3rd level priest spells are water breathing? :)
GAME: Sabina casts Bestow Curse. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16, "For the water breathing."

Bina was fine with the trip out. In the boat all was well. But even though the plan was always to go over the side and into the water, its not her element. Nerves rise up and she peers into the water with a sigh. "My first time doing this. I like land..a lot."

Rocky snorts softly as the unusual fear washes over him, but doesn't let it bother him. Glancing to the other, the sith slips over the side and into the water. Rocky swims like a rock. Which is to say quite well, if you happen to be heading down. The sith is used to freshwater rivers, not a salty ocean, but the basic idea is the same. He's no dolphin, but seems do be fine.

Bina marshals herself and prays to Tarien. "Oh lord of laughter, hear my prayer and grant us foolish folk the ability to enter the watery domain. It should be amusing for you at the very least." She's surrounded by divine energy and then reaches out to touch those who desire the spell.

Nemori seems to be of a mind with Sabina if her expression upon gazing at the anchor's chain as it is abruptly cut off by the water's surface. She backs up a step to avoid the splash caused by the massive makari's dive. Then she casts a look at Robert, bordering on accusing, before divesting herself of certain items. Her hat, her boots and stockings. The belt for her rapier, too, though she keeps her belt knife. Her last preparation is a minor orison that she chants, holding on to her Ceinaran coin before she tucks it away into her pocket. Then as Sabina's magic settles over her and the others, she slips over the edge as well, using the anchor's line to pull herself down into the depths.

GAME: Nemori casts Endure Elements. Caster Level: 7 DC: 15

"... and to think that I passed on plans for amphibious modifications," Bob muses with his massive gauntlets braced against the railing. The domed helmet of its titan's armor is thrown back, hanging like an empty bowl from a hinge. He inhales the salty sea air and offers Sabina his best reassuring smile. "Maybe you'll find you like the sea in spite of this... or find greater appreciation for dry land," he ventures as he stands up straight and vents steam moving away from the edge of the deck.

The big Cerenzan in bigger armor clicks, clatters, and clanks as he shrugs out of his pack. He secures it to a netted bundle of casks, not wanting it to fall off into the drink anymore than he wants to be soaking his schema during a swim. Then it's the business of tucking his cloak through his belt and making sure his various trinkets are looped tight and pouches buckled closed.

The pace is picked up as people begin their dives. Bob puts a series of defensive spells into place and returns to the railing down from where the others entered a ways. The helmet is pulled down into place with a *thunk* and then he rolls over backwards to splash mightly and start his sinking.

GAME: Robert casts Endure Elements. Caster Level: 7 DC: 15
GAME: Robert casts Ablative Barrier. Caster Level: 7 DC: 16

Bina sighs.. "Well..shit." She giggles then and splashes over the side gracelessly, dress turning into pants as she goes downward. Drawing the first breath is the hardest, after that it gets a little easier.

Down

Down

Down

.

.

.

Those who swim like a rock drop swiftly into the depths. The sunlight fades, reds, yellows, and oranges vanishing, leaving only the violet, blue and greens of the deep. Even that fades as as the disphotic zone is breached. The pressure increases, the light is so dim it's hard to discern features. The sand of the seabed arrives suddenly.

The ship looms, a cargo trireme, in one piece but holed in several places. Nearby, a great emptiness suggests a drop-off into even greater depths. There's the pressure, but also the eerie presence of the ruined vessel.

Rocky falls still as he sinks, considering the differences in sea swimming. As the boat appears from the murk, the sith rouses again, limbs and tail moving slowly to shift his trajectory more towards the ship. He turns back a moment to check on the progress of the others.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, so currently counts as Dim lighting and Underwater, so concealment unless you have Darkvision,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "and the water has an effect on movement and weapon damage types"
<OOC> Nemori says, "How deep would you say we went?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "the euphotic zone extends down to 100 meters (330 feet),"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "disphotic is 100 to 1000 meters, you're only in the start of it, so 350' down"

Bob's face is hidden inside the mound of his matte powder-black helm. The plates of his armor have all taken on the appearance of ridged, draconian scales after one of his spells. He reaches the bottom, landing on his chausses and fisted gauntlets, and kicking up a cloud of silty dust.

Violent streams of little bubbles jet out from beneath the joints of his armor as he stands carefully. Little energy-ball sparks of blue and black pop minor pulses of pressure as the armor bleeds its normal excesses in a new environment.

The artificer produces a glowing ioun stone and sets it to swim above and behind his helm. An homage to the angler fish.

<OOC> Robert says, "So the ioun torch works like continual flame which works like a torch,"
<OOC> Robert says, "20' normal and then increases light level one step for the next 20'. So that'd be 40' of normal light if it's dim down here."
<OOC> Rocky figured to touchdown about 7:13, wait for the others, then head towards 15:13 and what appears to be a hole. But plans can change
<OOC> Robert says, "Also of note: as per RAW you can cast spells underwater if you can breathe underwater."
<OOC> Robert says, "There is a CL check to cast fire-spells underwater but there are rules in place to do it."
<OOC> Rocky notes his Gloves of Swimming and Climbing, before forgets

Sabina sinks slowly and manages to get her feet under herself before touching down. Slippered feet stirring up silt as she begins to walk with care along the bottom with the others.

Nemori reaches the bottom of the chain, then pushes off. She is not... graceful. Walking on the bottom, following the others, using her arms to help propel herself yet still feeling like she's in slow motion.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, so Rocky has Swim speed? Or bonus? Touch of Sea grants what?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "So it's 40' for Rocky to get to the white dot, which is 1.5 or 2 rounds."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "So you have 2 rounds of casting or moving and we'll say the anchor point is where Rocky landed"
<OOC> Robert says, "So we'll do a cast and 1/4 and then cast and 1/4, Cryo."
GAME: Robert casts Shield. Caster Level: 7 DC: 15
GAME: Robert casts Blur. Caster Level: 7 DC: 16
GAME: Robert rolls athletics: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Robert rolls athletics: (19)+4: 23
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so that gets you 15' Robert?"
<OOC> Robert says, "I think maybe 5'? Since I failed and succeeded. 1/4 of 30' is 5."
<OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "Okay, I think you need swim checks to move, DC10 as it's calm, and success is 1/4 as a move and 1/2 as full round."
<OOC> Sabina says, "Hmm.. does fast movement count for swimspeed?"
<OOC> Robert says, "The spell will specify, Sabina. Do you mean the Travel domain?"
<OOC> Robert says, "So that increases your base speed by 10'. If you have a swim speed it would increase the base swim speed by 10'."
<OOC> Robert says, " If not it'd factor into your calculatings for 1/4 or 1/2 move from athletic.s"
GAME: Rocky rolls athletics: (12)+8: 20
GAME: Sabina rolls athletics: (4)+2: 6
GAME: Sabina rolls athletics: (13)+2: 15
<OOC> Sabina says, "zero and then 20 for movement. No casting."
<OOC> Nemori says, "May I take 10 for this roll? we're not in combat or anything."
GAME: Nemori takes ten on athletics: (10)+1: 11
<OOC> Nemori will do two rounds of full move as well, which should be 30' total. No casting. 11,13 I think. Beside the rock.

The titanic armor struggles in its slog across the sea floor. The middle-aged artificer inside is distracted putting a few last choice gadgets into place on his armor.

Once the second disk is in place, his entire form seems to vibrate and split, jerking in and out spasmodically in a way that isn't the most pleasant to watch for extended periods. The light source is static, however, and doesn't jet about to bounce shadows chaotically.

Little blue hexes of shield-energy fade in and out in cascade as Robert steps through the water.

Bina is smiling nervously at this new experience. Sure. It's uncomfortable and dark and chilly down here but it's certainly new. She manages to half walk half swim her way along side Nemori and makes it closer to the ship. She pauses to make sure she notes where everyone is at.

Nemori keeps her mind off of how she must look; bare feet kicking off of the sandy bottom, arms scooping the water in front of her away and behind. Her hair, mostly unbound save for the hairpin holding it in place over her missing ear trails behind her, blending in a little bit with the sand she kicks up and stirs with her silly arm motions... slowing when Sabina does. It takes her a moment to figure out what the human is thinking about; when she does, she glances back towards Robert, settling in place so the armoured man can catch up.

Rocky moves slowly, towards the ship. Not from any real sense of caution, just not fully used to walking on the sea floor. The greyscale is less confidant than before, but still proceeds towards the opening in the side of the boat.

Sand swirls up around the feet with each step. Innocuous sea creatures skitter out of the way, disguised by the depths and their natural texture. Was it a flatfish, a boxfish, an octopus, an eel, a crab, it's hard to tell. Small things flee.

The ship lies upright on its keel, only a short gouge of sand suggesting an impact. The oars are broken, seeming sheared away and snapped. In the dim light it's difficult to discern, but parts of the hull are both blown open and crushed in.

Black scorch marks mar the planks around the hole that Rocky approaches. As Robert comes up behind him, his light spreads, illuminating the interior. Freshly sunk, there's been no time for the sea flora to colonize, but a few curious fish already explore, biting at the interior and swimming into open crates.

And something else moves in the darkness, a glowing, shimmering shape in the form of a man.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+20: (16)+20: 36 (Ghost Perception)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+23: (3)+23: 26 (Ghost Stealth), "+2 for distance, Rocky can roll. Others don't have the angle"
GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (4)+12: 16 (vs DC28 - Fail)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, it will get a surprise round on Rocky, then Inits will roll. Waiting on Sabina"
GAME: Rocky rolls reflex: (9)+4: 13 (Vs DC16 - Fail)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 15d6: (42): 42

The water around the figure shimmers, glowing with cherenkov radiation, trace tendrils scattering in a cone but the main force of the bolt arcing out of the ship and striking the sith-makar.

The figure rocks back with its other fist, readying another punch.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, it doesn't do that again, but instead casts a haste spell on itself"

And then it appears to change its mind, both fists are punched together, there's the muted and distorted sound of a ghostly dynamo and the figure glows more intently. It appears skeletal, but also clad in armour, alternating between the two appearances. The skeleton is humanoid, the armour something unrecognizable to the Makari.

<OOC> Nemori will attempt to get to Rocky.
GAME: Nemori rolls athletics: (8)+1: 9
<OOC> Nemori will not get to Rocky.
<OOC> Nemori will channel a heal.
GAME: Nemori spends ONE use of CHANNEL ENERGY.
GAME: Nemori rolls 4d6: (11): 11

Nemori doesn't see what the source of the bolt was, but she does see Rocky get slammed by it. Her eyes widen and she shouts in surprise.. then flounders, stirring up more sand from the ocean bottom. One of her hands goes to her belt knife, the other pulls her Ceinaran coin from her pocket.. seconds pass as she becomes a conduit for divine energy, then she releases it in a pulse of energizing and healing power.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Rocky, you're up, you can see it in the ship,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "if you move out of line of sight it will have to wait or come to you but likely can't hit you with a spell again"
<OOC> Rocky says, "No problem. Head AWAY from the door, 13:15 direction"
GAME: Rocky rolls athletics: (6)+8: 14
GAME: Rocky rolls knowledge/religion: (4)+2: 6 (vs DC19)
<OOC> Sabina says, "will activate slippers of spider climbing and walk along the hull 20 feet."
<OOC> Sabina would like to peek if I can.
GAME: Sabina rolls knowledge/religion: (18)+13: 31

Rocky sees fishies. Tastey fishies, glinting in the gloom. Silvery flashes of deliciou- waaait a minute. That's not a f-!! The world explodes in electric blue, and Rocky finds himself getting up again, eyesight filled with afterimages more than real sight. Shaking it off, or at least the worst of it, the sith scrambles back. While a strong pillar of a guardian, he understands the concept of 'outclassed'.

Bina blinks and frowns as the magical blast hits Rocky. Noting that Nemori sets to work healing she plants a foot on the ship's hull and says a word muffled by the water. Magic activates and she walks along the side of he hull and then takes a quick peek into the broken ship. Flinching back from the edge of the hull with a pale face.

<OOC> Robert says, "Monstrous Physique I to become a Deep One. Swim (30') to 12,12. It's a monstrous humanoid so I don't absorb/lose my armor or anything."
GAME: Robert casts Monstrous Physique I. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17

It's hard to hear. Water muffles the sound even if magic allows her to breathe it. "Chan..! U..Chan..!"

GAME: Nemori rolls 1d20+bab+strength: (20)+5+1: 26 (AOO as it passes)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "no vital, so no crit to confirm"
GAME: Nemori rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "is it a magic dagger?"
<OOC> Nemori says, "It is not."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, your attack passes through it"

Bob washes the force wash over Rocky and the makari tank tumble. As quick as he can, he retrieves a convoluted looking syringe with a switch and gears in addition to the stock plunger. A gap in the armor is found and... something changes out of sight. The titan armor surges forward then, suddenly, and with a newfound adeptness for the aquatic aerobics.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "attack on Rocky"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (5)+16: 21
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "DC20 Fort save please"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 5d6: (26): 26
GAME: Rocky rolls fort: (9)+9: 18
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6: (2): 2
<OOC> Nemori will attempt to move towards Rocky.
GAME: Nemori rolls athletics: (2)+1: 3
<OOC> Nemori will use her luck reroll
GAME: Nemori rolls athletics: (8)+1: 9
<OOC> Nemori says, "Channel heal"
GAME: Nemori spends ONE use of CHANNEL ENERGY.
GAME: Nemori spends ONE use of CHANNEL ENERGY.
GAME: Nemori rolls 4d6: (16): 16
GAME: Nemori casts Spiritual Ally. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18
<OOC> Nemori says, "Summoning it behind the thing so it is flanking with Rocky."
GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon+2: aliased to BAB+Wisdom+2: (4)+5+4+2: 15

The water and the depths are no impediment to the apparition, which flows out of the ship, following the Makari. The form shimmers, a strange armour, at other times a skeleton or a nervous system, each illuminated in an eerie blue glow.

As it nears him, it lashes out, a fist thrusting through the water. When it connects, the stolid sith is illuminated in arcs tracing across his scales.

<OOC> Rocky says, "Okay, running didn't work, so slash at it. Magic, slashing, cold iron"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, make the attacks"
<OOC> Rocky says, "+2 flanking, -2 slash underwater?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "yes, that makes sense"
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9+2-2: (1)+11+2+-2: 12 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9+2-2-5: (2)+11+2+-2+-5: 8

Nemori slashes at the apparition with her knife as it flows past, but the blade simply passes through the insubstantial creature, eliciting a curse from the shadow elf. Coin still in her other hand, she heals again, the flow of divine energy barely cut off from earlier before summoned once again. Then she thrusts the coin forward, hand consumed in a ruby glow as she summons her own insubstantial ally; a humanoid form with trailing wisps like scarves or silks or ribbons that seems to dance, thrusting at the creature with a rapier like weapon.

<OOC> Sabina says, "If able, I'd like to cast a healing spell and then, using the slippers, walk along the sea floor and touch attack the ghost?"
GAME: Sabina casts Protection From Energy. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16, "spont cast 3rd level"
GAME: Sabina rolls bab+2: (10)+4+2: 16
<OOC> Sabina says, "Hmm.. Somehow I bet that misses.. will spend for a reroll."
GAME: Sabina rolls bab+2: (1)+4+2: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Robert says, "The good news is you're still "charged" with the spell and can try to deliver next turn (you also threaten if it provokes an AoO)"

The apparition appears like a cherenkov ghost in armour, artificer armour. There may be a device in the original titan armour that anchors it.

Rocky is unable to run, so he turns to the offensive, slashing with his large cold iron blade. But while magic may have closed his wounds, his hands still haven't fully recovered, shaking and betraying the warrior, sending his efforts to strike the sandy bottom.

Bina is looking 'up' at the combat and things do not seem to be going well. Grabbing hold of her holy sybol around her neck she prays to Tarien and then steps down to the sea floor and across the silty ground with hand glowing silver. The undead creature shifts at the last moment and her touch goes wide.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Robert, what would you like to do?"
<OOC> Robert says, "Hm. Considering the info provided. A Craft/Artifice roll OK?"
GAME: Robert rolls Craft/Artifice: (7)+14: 21
Cryosanthia pages: it might be something kulthian, some kind of artifice spirit bonding, some kind of breath of life thing. 
Cryosanthia pages: The ghost is clearly incorporeal, so the armour is likely inside the ship
<OOC> Robert nods. "Saw the page. I'll head into the boat and search!"
<OOC> Robert says, "30' puts me at 15,9. I can move again if it's obvious or Perception to search."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "no it would be pretty obvious, there's a collapsed titan armour at the black dot"
You paged Cryosanthia with ‘Do you want a Disable Device or is this just a Hulk Smash scenario?’
Cryosanthia pages: a DC25 Disable Device,
Cryosanthia pages: Hulk Smash would work but you'd be trying to break effectively, plate armour, so a decent hardness and HP
GAME: Robert rolls Disable Device+2: (1)+10+2: 13 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Robert activates his Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Dex

There's a moment where the titan armor hesitates, considering the phantasm. Bob gestures at Nemori, pointing at the ghost and then touching the curled fingers of his oversized gauntlets together.

Then he disappears inside the ship.

Apparently, the three of them are on their own!

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Sounds like it can be hit, but nothing the ghost can do will hurt it, but the ghost doesn't know that, so 3 Spiritual Ally"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3: (2): 2, "okay, 1 Sabina, 2 Rocky, 3 Spirit Ally"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (10)+16: 26
GAME: Rocky rolls fort: (20)+9: 29 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) (vs DC20 - Success)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 5d6: (14): 14

The form shimmers, orienting on Sabina, helm turning to look at the spiritual alley. It flickers, between the eerie form of a skeleton and a suit of armour. One with pistons, gears and plates. Its form is illuminated as if there are reflections from glowing tubes that trace its limbs.

Finally, it turns back to Rocky, it's first foe, and screams with rage. The sound exceptionally loud, and unsettling with its sharpness in the water. This is followed by a punch, which rattles the lizard.

<OOC> Nemori says, "Another quicken channel. Then casting spiritual weapon"
<OOC> Nemori says, "Which doesn't really occupy a space, just follows the target."
GAME: Nemori spends TWO uses of CHANNEL ENERGY.
GAME: Nemori casts Spiritual Weapon. Caster Level: 7 DC: 16
GAME: Nemori rolls 4d6: (10): 10
GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon+2: aliased to BAB+Wisdom+2: (4)+5+4+2: 15 (Spiritual Ally - Miss)
GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (6)+5+4: 15 (Spiritual Weapon - Miss)

It may as well be a steady, if lessening, stream of healing pouring from Nemori into the Makari... and others, too, if they were injured. As this goes on she summons another construct of force, this time simply a duplicate of the weapon she normally has at her side.. and of the one held by the phantom dancer still attacking Rocky's assailant. The two blades stab and thrust, but neither are able to score a telling blow.

The shadow elf spares a glance at the large hole in the hull of the ship, but her angle is wrong to see what Robert is up to. Eyes crease in what might be worry. Or might be annoyance. Knowing Nemori, it's probably the latter.

<OOC> Rocky says, "Slash again and hope luck has turned"
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9+2-2: (3)+11+2+-2: 14
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9+2-2-5: (11)+11+2+-2+-5: 17

Rocky stands his ground. These might be his final moments, but it's not the first time. The sith's blade rises and falls again, and is again turned aside by unsteady limbs and watery resistance.

<OOC> Sabina says, "will 5 foot closer to rocky and try to touch ghost again."
GAME: Sabina rolls 1d20+4+2: (8)+4+2: 14

Sabina frowns as she shuffles sideways and next to Rocky. Her hand darting out in the attempt to touch the fast ghost. the water slows her actions and she misses by a good measure, cursing.

GAME: Robert rolls Disable Device+2: (8)+12+2: 22

Robert kneels over a broken set of grim artifice armor. His gauntlets may seem to be too big for the job but they're not too blame for his floundering; the foreign model is combined with the internal workings of such a thing being arcane in their security by design.

There are more energy pops as his armor's energy bleed offends the omnipresent water. Tiny bubbles geyser up from beneath and between nearly every plate as he works. Slime that may've once been humanoid flesh oozes and flakes into the disturbed waters as a plate-- but not the RIGHT plate-- pops up and out of the way from the ruined suit.

The Cerenzan gives his head an annoyed shake inside the dome helmet. He sets his jaw and forces a slow, steadying breath. Sharp blue-eyes focus on the breastplate creases and joints, ignoring the skull-and-spikes motif.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, so the ghost moves, does a SLA, which provokes for anyone/thing that has reach or can do AOO,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "I think is the Spirit Ally but not the weapon. It'll have to do a concentration check if attacked and damaged"
GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon+2: aliased to BAB+Wisdom+2: (14)+5+4+2: 25 (Spiritual Ally AOO - Hits)
GAME: Nemori rolls 1d10+2: (1)+2: 3
GAME: Sabina rolls 1d20+4+2: (17)+4+2: 23 (AOO - Hits)
GAME: Sabina rolls 3d8+5: (14)+5: 19
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9+2-2: (18)+11+2+-2: 29 (AOO - Hits)
GAME: Rocky rolls damage9: aliased to 1d10+5: (10)+5: 15
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "all those hits, slashing is halved, piercing is normal becomes - DC30 concentration"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13: (16)+13: 29 (vs DC30 - Fail)

Sensing the Cerenzan interfering with its remains, the ghost turns, side-steps and roars again. There is a whrrring sound, a dynamo charging up. A half visible wheel in the shadowy glimpses of armour reflections spins faster and faster.

The titan armour stabs out with it's fist, as ghostly rapiers and a solid cold-iron weapon smack into it.

The power bolt discharges, surrounding Rocky's Tepoztopilli in a halo that lingers, but the direct attack failed.

<OOC> Nemori says, "The spiritual weapon sticks on the target"
GAME: Nemori rolls athletics: (11)+1: 12, "5' towards Rocky. 12,14 actually, if that's okay"
<OOC> Nemori says, "convert a spell to heal, Level 4 for cure critical"
GAME: Nemori casts Air Walk. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18
GAME: Nemori rolls 4d8+7: (9)+7: 16
<OOC> Nemori says, "Swift action to move the ally to 16,13 then ally and weapon attack"
GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (1)+5+4: 10 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (10)+5+4: 19
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay.. the weapon doesn't get a flanking bonus, because those will miss"

Nemori manages to pull herself through the water enough to close the distance between herself and the heavily armoured makari; while her summoned dancer and weapon both continue to harry the apparition, she reaches through the water to impart a more potent and targeted healing upon Rocky.

<OOC> Rocky says, "ideally move to 15:13, put myself between the ghost and Robert, then attack."
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9-2: (16)+11+-2: 25
GAME: Rocky rolls damage9: aliased to 1d10+5: (3)+5: 8
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "hits, does some damage! Make the pose"

Rocky is a meat-shield. Shields go between danger and what is being protected. The sith moves without hesitation to block the apparition's path towards Robert, his blade striking out to catch a bit of ectoplasm. A good shield is one you dare not ignore.

<OOC> Sabina will channel to harm undead. My massive 2d6 powwa!
<pre>GAME: Sabina rolls 2d6: (8): 8
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (3)+11: 14 (vs DC16 - fail)

Sabina takes up her holy symbol again and prays once more. A burst of silver energy pouring out from her and washing over everything, sizzling the ghost where it floats in the water.

GAME: Robert rolls Disable Device+2: (15)+12+2: 29
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, that gets it"

The delicate tools finally make marked progress. The gruesome skull facade plate pops off to reveal gears, hose, and jagged, tangled wiring beneath. The time for delicate manipulations long past, Bob reaches down with adamantine-plated fingers and takes hold.

Black cogs crumble as he closes his fist and pulls. The inner framework comes away with some resistance, sucking in water to fill a fresh void.

A barbed brass cylinder comes loose with the inside padding of the suit. Baleful green glow emits through fogged glass segments on the container, pulsing with the distinct rhythm of a heartbeat. Rotten meat and old blood mixes with the water, turning it dark as the corpse cavity continues to fall apart.

Bob considers the phylactery with an academic eye for a half-second before crushing it in his titan's fist.

Immediately, the specter shudders, its ghostly form duplicating the breach that Robert has made in its armoured corpse. The titan armour flickers, fading, to a brief glimpse of a twisted visage, formed from the glowing, watery depths. That too vanishes to the traces of a nervous system, a skeletal structure, and finally the barbed cylinder that mirrors the binding brass artifice.

A pulse of light, and the incorporeal form vanishes.

The unsettling sensation remains. This was a part of the wreck, but not the cause, but that may be a mystery for a stronger crew.

OOC & Combatty

Map:
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mvocvm4kjwz

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 4 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
     18   ArmourGhost      1  
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     15   Nemori           1  
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     14   Rocky            2  
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     11   Sabina           1  
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  >> 3    Robert           1  Titan Armor (3 rnds active)                   <<
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