Posted on December 30, 2014November 26, 2014 by Mike Myler — Leave a comment

Trap Tuesday (Banlan Backlash): Automatic Eviscerator

Automatic Eviscerator CR 13

Type magical; Perception DC 37; Disable Device DC 38
Trigger location; Reset automatic
Effect spell effect (elemental magic missile; 1d4+1 acid, 1d4+1 cold, 1d4+1 electric, 1d4+1 fire, 1d4+1 force; 10% chance to become sickened [acid], fatigued [cold], confused [electric], lit on fire [fire], or deafened [force] for 1d6+2 rounds, DC 21 Fort negates); multiple targets (all targets within line of sight)

The 5 barrels of an automatic eviscerator drip an unknown, slimy orange substance. Originally designed to agitate alligotonium in engines, it quickly became known as the automatic eviscerator after tinkerers modified automatic agitators into weapons. The creator of the device added the additional effects to make it more entertaining when trespassers stumbled into the deadly trap and since then, both the Banlan Brotherhood and the Orders of Timeaus have been disabling these contraptions rather than destroying them. More often than not, an automatic eviscerator is re-purposed (likely at great physical cost) rather than built from scratch.

They are a common (and quite deadly) deterrent found in the sewers of Nyamo and the homes of the more powerful (and less friendly) mages there, but are ubiquitous in the Timeaus Production Yards. With the abundance of parts available there, any damaged automatic agitators are scrapped to be remade into accurate, dangerous automatic eviscerators.

[Submitted by Tim Snow!]

Posted on December 26, 2014December 26, 2014 by Mike Myler — Leave a comment

AaWBlog Adventure Path: Banlan Backlash, Uralicans Uncut

The AaWBlog’s appetite knows no bounds, and the adventure path continues well past the Disputed Territories and Pradja.

Taking a valuable shipment of alligotonium down to Timeaus, the PCs are suddenly and inexplicably transported into an ambush beneath the authoritarian city of Nyamo! Throughout the month they fight off thieves, deceive guards, and either infiltrate or protect the airship production yards of the High Mages there. Whether the adventurers side with the (unjust) rulers or the beleaguered resistance movement, they ultimately leave the conflict on an airship!

You are encouraged to check out these pieces of content for the adventure path here!

Naturally, the PCs don’t get very far in their airborne vessel—a magical mishap sends them tumbling through dimensions to the strange demiplane of Uklonjen in Uralicans Uncut. Here the AaWBlog Adventure Path brings PSIONICS into the mix, as well as space jamming and all kinds of good stuff: portals to HEL, gateways to the Plane of Ooze, and all the cosmic adventure you can shake a stick at!

The summaries for November are here and here.

But we aren’t done yet!
The AaWBlog Adventure Path continues in January with Lands of Ludolog—we’ll see you then!

Posted on September 30, 2014September 27, 2014 by Rory Toma — Leave a comment

Trap Tuesday (Banlan Backlash!): Vacuum Mines

Vacuum Mines Trap – CR 10

A translucent something ahead of you pops. Suddenly, you find yourself freezing and gasping for air!

Type: magical; Perception DC 34; Disable Device DC 34

Trigger location; Reset none

Effect

The air in and around the party vacates and the temperature drops. Up to 9 creatures in a 40-ft.-radius take cold damage and suffocate. Vacuum (1d6 cold damage per round, DC 23 Will Save per round for 18 rounds. If one save is failed, target falls unconscious and is dropped to 0 hit points. The second failed save reduces the target to -1 hit points and he is dying. The third failed save kills the target); multiple targets( 9 creatures within 50′ of the of the airship)

The airship immediately falls 50 feet (as there is no air immediately around it) and continues to fall, spiraling out of control before crashing in 1d10+6 rounds without a DC 25 Profession (sailor) or Profession (soldier) check; alternatively, a DC 30 Knowledge (engineering) check can be used as a substitute.

The airspace above Nyamo contains secret defenses that few know about, and several spheres of airspace have been mined with vacuum mines. Even in the official Nyamo air brigade, only the captains and a few select officers know of the existence and location of these dangerous traps. The vacuum mines are housed in small, 9-inch glass spheres that float in the air—they are very difficult to spot and burst if an airship gets within 25 ft., setting off the above trap. An old story that circulates in Nyamo tells of an attack from a griffon mounted wizard army. As the citizens huddled, the onslaught of spells never materialized—instead, frozen griffons and asphyxiated wizards rained down on the city.
This attack is the only known attempt to take Nyamo by air.

Posted on September 29, 2014October 31, 2014 by Mike Myler — Leave a comment

Magic Item Monday (Banlan Backlash!): Airships – Black Arrow and Skyfang!

Stolen Airships are the Best Kind

If the adventurers aided the Banlan Brotherhood with their sabotage, the party finds that just outside the Production Yards, their allies are waiting in a swift ship just recently stolen—a gift to the PCs for their help disrupting the doings of the mages of Timeaus!

Black Arrow
Large air vehicle
Squares 12 (30 ft by 10 ft across); Cost 25,000 gp

DEFENSE
AC 9; Hardness 5
hp 180 (90)
Base Save +3

OFFENSE
Maximum Speed 160 ft.; Acceleration 40 ft.
CMB +1; CMD 11
Ramming Damage 1d8

DESCRIPTION
Long, narrow, and entirely black, the Black Arrow is an exceptionally uncommon ship in the Timean air force. Built with speed and stealth in mind, the airship is constructed from lighter materials and gains a +16 bonus to Stealth checks made to travel at night. In addition, it contains within its engine a lever that can be pulled to make the ship entirely invisible for up to 10 minutes in a day, or until the lever is depressed (used in 1 minute increments that need not be consecutive). Rather than a ceiling, the black-hulled ship instead has an open roof, providing those on deck an opportunity to lean over the railings and fire upon targets below (which is sometimes essential, as the ship doesn’t contain any onboard weapons of its own).
The Black Arrow can comfortably carry eight, plus a driver, and can lift up to 2 tons of weight. In a pocket on the side of the drivers seat is a map depicting the Klavek Kingdom, and a sheaf of instructions to collect and return with any ‘mind-magic’ the operator can get a hold of. [More on that in November, I swear -MM (the editor MM; I swear I’m done with this gag! -MM)]

Propulsion 2 squares of magic engine at rear of ship
Driving Check Profession (sailor) or Profession (soldier)
Forward Facing the ship’s forward
Driving Device magical
Driving Space one square adjacent to engine, providing limited visiblity below, but excellent visibility ahead.
Crew 0
Decks 1
Weapons The Black Arrow can be equipped with any one Large siege engine at the front of the ship. A weapon so mounted can fire in a 180 degree arc ahead of the ship, and reduces the number of people the ship can carry by 4.

Cutting the Skies for the Mages of Timeaus

If the PCs aided the Order of the Staff and stopped the sabotage of the Production Yards, the mages of Timeaus reward them with one of their newest model of aircraft: a skyfang.

Skyfang, Class 3 skyship
Huge air vehicle
Squares 14 (30 ft by 25 ft cross); Cost 25,000 gp

DEFENSE
AC 8; Hardness 20
hp 560 (280)
Base Save +1

OFFENSE
Maximum Speed 80 ft.; Acceleration 20 ft.
CMB +2; CMD 12
Ramming Damage 2d8

DESCRIPTION
A fifteen foot hemispherical base makes up the body of this skyship, with a wooden deck covering the engine within. Unlike most ships, its base isn’t made from the shell of a giant tortoise, but carefully fitted iron plates that mimic one. Above, a similar but much smaller roof gives protection from the weather and aerial attack. The railings that run around the edges are broken only by a ten foot long neck that connects to the pilot’s seat (where all the controls are mounted) and a pair of light, side-mounted ballistae that can swivel around to fire anywhere in a 180 degree radius.
The ship has limited capacity to carry soldiers or supplies—what can fit on deck (20 passengers in a pinch, or 10 fully equipped soldiers)—but is still capable of lifting up to 10 tons of weight. Tucked into the drivers seat is a package wrapped in thick fabric that contains an odd compass carved from crystal that doesn’t point to the true north, but slightly north-northeast instead [more on that in November, folks! -MM (not this post’s MM, the other one. The regular MM. -MM)].

Propulsion 3 squares of magic engine
Driving Check Profession (sailor) or Profession (soldier)
Forward Facing the ship’s forward
Driving Device steering wheel
Driving Space one square at the end of a 10 ft. ‘neck’ ahead of the ship, containing steering wheel and seat for driver provides improved cover from below and partial cover from sides.
Crew 1
Decks 1
Weapons The Skyfang comes equipped with two light ballistae, one mounted on either side. However, they could be replaced with any Huge or smaller siege engine. They can be swivelled to any direction before, beside, or behind their side of the ship, as well as 45 degrees above and below.

Submitted by Michael McCarthy!

Posted on September 28, 2014September 27, 2014 by Mike Myler — Leave a comment

Statblock Sunday (Banlan Backlash!): Commandant and Resistance Leader!

Depending on what choices the PCs made in yesterday’s Sidequest Saturday, they either run afoul of an Order of the Staff Commandant or one of the Banlan Brotherhood Resistance Leaders!

Order of the Staff Commandant CR 11
XP 12,800
Human barbarian (superstitious) 7/fighter (weaponmaster) 5
LN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +17

DEFENSE
AC 23, touch 15, flat-footed 19 (+8 armor, +1 deflection, +3 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 109 (7d12+5d10+36)
Fort +11, Ref +6, Will +5; +4 vs. spells, supernatural abilities, and spell-like abilities

OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee +1 shock greatsword +17/+12/+7 (2d6+7 plus 1d6 electricity, Crit 17-20/x2)
Ranged longbow +15/+10/+5 (1d8, Crit x3, Range 100 ft.)
Special Attacks rage 18 rounds/day, reliable strike 1/day, weapon training 1 (greatsword)

TACTICS
Before Combat The commandant drinks the potion of fly and the potion of haste as soon as intruders are revealed, then throws a fireball before swooping across and attacking one target with Improved Vital Strike, Power Attack (taking no penalty to attack due to Furious Focus), and Spring Attack, ending their movement out of line of sight.
During Combat After determining who is a spellcaster, the commandant targets them first with a charge, taking a full attack action as soon as possible. As soon as the healer is revealed, the commandant goes after them next.
Morale The commandant flees when reduced to 35 hit points or less, summoning more guards and reinforcements (along with healing potions, to get back into the fight).

STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 9
Base Atk +12; CMB +14; CMD 29 (30 vs. disarm and sunder)
Feats Dodge, Furious Focus, Improved Vital Strike, Mobility, Power Attack, Spring Attack, Vital Strike; Improved Critical (greatsword), Weapon Focus (greatsword), Weapon Specialization (greatsword)
Skills Acrobatics +14, Climb +13, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (engineering) +7, Knowledge (local) +5, Perception +17, Survival +9; Armor Check Penalty -3
Languages Common
SQ chosen weapon (greatsword), fast movement, improved uncanny dodge, rage powers (knockdown, renewed vigor 3d8+4, superstition), sixth sense, uncanny dodge, weapon guard
Combat Gear +1 shock greatsword, +2 breastplate, necklace of fireballs type II, ring of protection +1, longbow (20 arrows), potion of fly, potion of haste; Other Gear climber’s kit, everburning torch, 376 gold

Banlan Brotherhood Resistance Leader CR 11
XP 12,800
Human alchemist (vivisectionist) 12
CN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +15

DEFENSE
AC 26, touch 16, flat-footed 20 (+6 armor, +6 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 90 (12d8+36)
Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +3
Immune poison

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 corrosive claws +16/+11 (1d6+5 plus 1d6 acid) and +1 corrosive bite +16 (1d8+5 plus 1d6 acid) or +1 corrosive claws +14/+14/+9/+9 (1d6+3) and +1 corrosive bite +14 (1d8+5 plus 1d6 acid)
Ranged daggers +15/+10 (1d4+4, Crit 19-20/x2, Range 10 ft.)
Special Attacks sneak attack +6d6
Alchemist Extracts Prepared (CL 12th; concentration +13)
4th—dragon’s breath, freedom of movement, echolocation
3rd—cure serious wounds, fly, haste, nondetection
2nd—~~darkvision~~, flame breath, invisibility, protection from arrows, resist energy (fire), see invisibility
1st—comprehend languages, deathwatch, disguise self, ~~endure elements~~, negate aroma, shield

TACTICS
Before Combat The Resistance Leader drinks a greater feral mutagen along with darkvision and endure elements extracts about an hour before the combat (these are worked into the statistics). If aware of enemies and given a few moments to prepare, the Resistance Leader drinks extracts of haste, nondetection, fly, freedom of movement, protection from arrows, resist energy (fire) and negate aroma—but most importantly—echolocation. After drinking this crucial extract, the Resistance Leader pulls the stopper out of an eversmoking bottle attached to their belt by a weapon cord.
During Combat Moving into range of enemies, the Resistance Leader unleashes a dragon’s breath extract to confuse foes, targeting anyone that casts a spell first with a flurry of claws and bites.
Morale Those that flee and run away live to fight another day—the Resistance Leader retreats when reduced to 30 hit points or less.

STATISTICS
Str 14 [18], Dex 16 [22], Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 9
Base Atk +9; CMB +13; CMD 29
Feats Combat Expertise, Double Slice, Improved Two-Weapon Feint, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Skill Focus (Bluff), Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse; Brew Potion, Throw Anything
Skills Acrobatics +13, Appraise +5, Bluff +17, Craft (alchemy) +16, Disable Device +17, Fly +10, Heal +6, Knowledge (arcana) +5, Knowledge (engineering) +3, Perception +14, Sleight of Hand +15, Spellcraft +12, Stealth +18, Survival +7, Use Magic Device +7
Languages Common, Undercommon
SQ alchemy, cruel anatomist, discoveries (concentrate poison, enhance potion, feral mutagen, greater mutagen, poison conversion, sticky poison), ~~mutagen~~ (+6 Dex, +4 Str, -2 Intelligence, -2 Wisdom, +4 natural armor), swift alchemy, swift poisoning, torturer’s eye, torturous transformation
Combat Gear +1 corrosive amulet of mighty fists, +2 mithral shirt; Other Gear eversmoking bottle, thieves’ token, potions of cure serious wounds (2), 240 gold

Posted on September 27, 2014September 27, 2014 by Mike Myler — Leave a comment

Sidequest Saturday (Banlan Backlash!): Sabotage!

The PCs may be on either side of the conflict between the Order of the Staff and the Banlan Brotherhood; depending on their allies, their objectives for this week’s Sidequest Saturday can be completely different—they are either preventing sabotage or are the ones doing it! Either way the adventurers’ patrons offer protective suits that grant a +20 circumstance bonus to checks made against severe heat, though they incur a -4 penalty to Perception checks made by anyone wearing one. The smelting of alligotonium has strange effects however, and any illusion magic within the building suffers the consequences; each round, there is a 30% chance that a spell or magic item of the illusion school temporarily fails.

All of the smelting occurs in an isolated ovoid warehouse 500 feet across, 600 feet long, and 70 feet high with walkways suspended 30 feet in the air criss-crossing the expanse. Machinery is everywhere and of varying sizes (taking up anywhere between a 10 ft. x 10 ft. square and 30 ft. x 30 ft. square) but the central lanes for travel are clear (30 ft. wide). Only one door leads in or out of the warehouse, guarded by four Order of the Staff thugs at all times (two inside the building and two outside).

Sabotage with the Banlan Brotherhood

In order to disrupt the production of aircraft engines, Banlan Brotherhood members have tainted large amounts of alligotonium that need to be smuggled into the Nyamo Production Yards. They have stashed it all (it is a considerable amount—perhaps even a ton or more) inside of three bags of holding. So long as two of these caches of adulterated corrupted material are mixed into different smelting stations (of which there are four, one in each corner), the mission is a success.

The Order of the Staff are keen to the plan, however, and have dispatched additional agents to oversee the Production Yards. Evokers are walking the catwalks, looking for intruders and carrying orders that command them to blast any trespassers into unconsciousness.

Sneaking into the district the Production Yards are located is easy enough, though unpleasant—the Banlan Brotherhood has been secretly developing a tunnel directly to it. Once topside however, the PCs have only 1d6+3 minutes before a patrol wanders nearby. They must either convince or enchant the guards (or remove them and take their places) to walk through the front door, and breaking in along the roof is a dangerous prospect. Any creature on the roof of the warehouse takes 1d6 fire damage each round, and working through one of the hatches or vents requires a DC 25 Disable Device check to circumvent or DC 18 Strength check to wrench away. Clever PCs that deal at least 5 points of cold damage to one of these accesses reduces the DC of these checks by 5.

To complete the sabotage the PCs need to avoid being noticed by one of the workers (each smelting station is manned by four of them, and there’s a 10% chance every minute that the party comes across one while traveling through the warehouse), switch “good” alligotonium with the Banlan Brotherhood’s corrupted material, and escape without alerting the Order of the Staff. As soon as the job is complete or the facility has realized that trespassers are present, an Order of the Staff Commandant [see tomorrow’s Statblock Sunday! -MM] arrives on the scene, ready to mete out justice!

Working for the Order of the Staff

If they’re working with the mages of Timeaus, the party is out to stop the Banlan Brotherhood’s sabotage instead! They play the roles of the evokers, walking the catwalks and keeping an eye out for the subversive agents. In this scenario however, one out of each quartet of smelting station workers is corrupt and accepting a very large bribe to help the resistance movement, distracting their peers so the five Banlan Brotherhood agents can strike them down quickly and quietly. The group moves quickly and efficiently, and each time they gain the aid of another bribed worker to move their plan along. When the sabotage is complete, they escape through the same vent they came through, a Banlan Brotherhood Resistance Leader [tomorrow’s Statblock Sunday! -MM] staying in the back, attacking on anyone that attempts to follow.