PrP: Boiling Point

Cesran, Human Wizard 2 Drakha, Sith-Makar Sorcerer 4 Halani, Human Monk 5 Kanyk, Eaglefolk Monk 4 Alistine, Human Paladin 2 (Had to leave before combat.) APL: 4 Encounter 1: Small Fire Elemental x2 (CR1), Small Water Elemental x2 (CR1), Steam Hazard (Environmental Hazard, 2d4 fire damage, DC11 Reflex half, 15ft Cone, 25% chance to trigger each round, CR2) CR: 6 Encounter 2: Steam Mephit x3 (CR3) CR: 6 <nowiki><nowiki>Insert non-formatted text here</nowiki>There's been an explosion out in the old steam docks. This is not an entirely unusual event, in fact, a more cynical person might insist this is par for the course. However, this one must be unusual, because an urgent request has been posted in the Guild of Explorers- someone is paying good money for what they have described as 'clean up'

Drakha would not normally care much at all of the steam docks or that whole part of the city, really, but its wondrous how enough coin being offered can make someone care. Although he is not quite sure how literal the 'clean up' was, but he assumes that if it was just clearing debris they would not contact the guild of explorers, so he will do some preparations along the way, mainly enhancing his already quite formidable natural armor with a magical one.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Casting mage armor while on the way to the place." <OOC> Drakha says, "proxy casting since its bloodline spell" GAME: Drakha casts Magic Missile.

Cesran was at the Guild of Explorers when the warrant was posted and he recognized the sorcerer from the exploration of the sewers. He decides to wait to see what's going on as he has a limited time to use it and the money was just for a clean up. Cesran walks along briskly, "I wonder what caused the explosion."

Halani wasn't actually at the guild, herself, but she'd heard the explosion... and when a group of adventurers had been spied hurrying towards the docks, well, Halani naturally followed. She recognized a few faces, after all.

Kanyk is fairly silent. Naturally, he accepted the call for request, as per the norm for him. He keeps quite up to date on this type of thing. He has given little thought to the nature of the explosion, mostly content just to see and find out when he arrives. He does cast a quick glance over the others that have gathered to answer the call, though. He offers to Cesran, "There is no telling what could have caused it."

Drakha gives a look towards Cesran at his question, snorting. "There is only two possible answers for that... either gnomes, or goblins." he notes with a shake of his head. Then as they are getting to the right spot, with the building generating the steam coming into view he looks around for anyone who might be able to tell them a bit more detailedly what is needed to be done.

Cesran frowns as he sees all the smoke and he shakes his head a little bit as his people had never been the biggest proponents of technology preferring instead to rely on the arcane. He nods his head a little bit, "No doubt." He covers his mouth and nose with his sleeve to try to block out some of the acrid smell.

There are a bunch of engineers who seem to have been evacuated, including a foreman who is arguing, loudly, with a half-elf man wearing thick, blackened glass goggles and a leather apron. An elaborate clockwork bird sits on the man's shoulder, and looks inquisitively at the adventurers as they approach. Artificer.

Kanyk is, apparently, not feeling particularly sociable. He folds his large arms and sticks to the rear of the party, remaining quiet. He offers an inquisitive glance towards the Artificer, taking particular notice in his clockwork bird. An interesting contraption, if not at least somewhat insulting to his own birdlike nature. He then speaks firmly and aloud. "What was the cause of the disturbance?"

Halani's eyes go wide when she sees the nature, from the outside at least, of the explosion... the steam leaking out of every oriface of the building. "I'd hate to be stuck inside there..."

"This clown's experiments!" The foreman immediately answers Kanyk, "He said something about 'making adjustments' then all hell broke loose. The boiler overheated, and pipes started bursting. We had to evacuate before we were steamed alive." He says, moustache bristling. The Half-elf artificer winces, "It's not that at all, it's their poor care for their equipment. The pipes are /supposed/ to be able to withstand much more pressure." they start bickering again. One of the workers moves away from them, and he says, "I didn't understand most of it, but from what I overheard, there's some kind of elemental down there's causing the trouble." he fills them in.

Kanyk nods his head. "I wonder how many deaths must accrue before the general consensus on the arts of the Arcane will be similar to my own...." He looks at the Artificer and his 'bird'. "It generally cannot be trusted."

Cesran looks over at the foreman and artificer, "Is anyone else in there?" He asks as he is more concerned about people in there that might need saving. He looks over towards Kanyk, "We can argue about that later. Is there anything in there that might explode?"

Those two are too busy arguing, the worker speaks, though, "Well, the main tank weren't built to to take pressure like this. The water in it isn't usually so hot. And most of the pipe joints have burst their fittings., they'll be jetting steam hot enough to melt the flesh right off your bones." He points to someone being treated for fairly horiffic burns on his forearms, "Stanton tried to open the emergency vent, but a gout o' steam caught him. I reckon the rest of us got out OK."

"I think this," Halani says, gesturing to the building in particular, the area in general, "is more mad science than magic.." She cracks her knuckles then, and bounces up on the balls of her feet. "A loose elemental, eh?"

Drakha listens with some curiosity at all the various people talking, the workers information regarding an elemental on the loose is what seems to get most of his interest though. "An elemental? That sounds simple enough." he offers in reply before looking over at the others. "Shall we go and take care of it, then?" he suggests, not going into the conversation about whether or not magic in general is to be trusted or not.

Cesran zeroes in on the helpful worker, "These emergency vents what do they do? How far away are they?" He asks as his mind is all ready working as he hears the bit about an elemental being loose. "If we hit the emergency vents will they get rid of the steam?" He asks as they are standing outside of a steam-powered complex that is billowing colorless steam. There is a number of workers standing about as a large explosion was heard coming from this area and the Guild of Explorers quickly set up a warrant to help with the clean up.

"Or some Steam Mephits." Cesran speaks up as his mind travels a different path than others. "They are immune to fire, so let's not waste any spells. Shall we head in?"

Alistine walks into view of the group, looks amongst the group and says, "Excuse me, would anyone be willing to tell me what you have found so far? I have come here, though somewhat lately, on behalf of the explorers guild much as I assume you have as well so I see no reason why we should not work together."

"The vent is in the main tank room. Opening it'll drain the tank and vent the steam to drop the pressure." The worker fills Cesran in.

Kanyk now clasps his hands behind his back, his wings unfurling and stretching to their full length, and then folding back down. "I am ready to proceed inside, when everyone is ready." He answers quietly to Cesran.

Halani starts binding up the looser parts of her robes and dress, covering up much of the bared flesh on her arms. She also winds her scarf about the lower half of her face, and then around her head. "Probably just get worse the longer we wait... where's the best way in to get to this vent?" She gestures for Alistine to join, figuring the more manpower the better.

Cesran looks over at Alistine, "There has been an accident with what we believe might be one or more steam mephits or elements. We shall find out when we get in there. We are going to try to find the emergency vent and release the steam." He pauses for a moment and casts mage armor on himself. "All right I'm ready. Drakha are you joining us?" GAME: Cesran casts Mage Armor.

The Foreman finally stops bickering long enough to tell them, "It's in the subbasement. You'll have to use the ladder to get down there." He gestures to the mostly wooden building, "This is just to stop the weather getting in. Most of the place is built into the cliff face."

Drakha gives a somewhat puzzled look at Cesran's question, taking in that he was the first one suggesting going in. Eventually he replies with a simple, "Yes." He doesn't do any further preparations for the moment, in general quite much preferring warmer environments.

Kanyk looks towards the building quietly. "Don't suppose there are traps that need worrying about... I do not see any use tarrying here any longer. I suggest we move inside." At that, he heads for the building, looking to enter it, though he gives the door a light prod first. Seems he's had his share of being shocked by doors, in his lifetime.

Inside is opressively hot, the steam makes it a labor to breathe, but it's not quite hot enough to burn here in the main room- it consists of little more than a small break room, lockers, and an equipment closet. In the center of the area is a hatch, with a ladder leading down. Steam billows up through the open hatch.

Halani keeps her scarf wrapped tight as she crouches by the hatch, trying to peer down while minimizing how much she exposes herself to the steam. "Down there, I guess?" She peers a little more over the edge, but shakes her head. "TOo much steam, too much noise.. can't see or hear anything."

Drakha finds the temperature inside actually quite comfortable, being of red dragon heritage, he enjoys hot environments. Looking around some until he spots the hatch, he points it out to the others. "I believe it is that way." he offers while moving closer to said hatch.

Kanyk enters, immediately taking notice of the increase in temperature. "Errrgghhhm." He reaches into his satchel and pulls out two thin pieces of scrolled parchment. "Can someone read this scroll for me? It will help to protect me from this heat. I also have a second one, if someone wishes to use it."

Cesran looks over at Kanyk and he wonders what the fellow who said something earlier about not trusting magic is doing with the scroll. He looks over at Drakha, "I can read them for you if you think they'd help."

Kanyk hands the scrolls towards Cesran. "Thank you. I only need one read for me, but, if someone else requires the aid, then I don't mind you using the scroll for them. Assuming the scrolls do as they're supposed to."

"Oh, pick me," Halani says, looking up from the hatch at Kanyk's offer. "I already had my steam bath today."

Drakha shakes his head some at the offer. "Thank you, but the temperature does not bother me, it is quite comfortable actually." he offers, seeming to be ready to head down. He doesn't offer to read them since the other person had already volunteered for that.

Cesran takes the scrolls and he opens them up to read them over, "Indeed these will be very handy to have." He reads the first scroll over before with a magic word in the arcane language he casts the spell Endure Elements upon Kanyk. The words on the scroll flare as they are erased from the page. He looks over towards Halani and he casts the spell again using up both scrolls. "If we are all set let's continue." He wipes the sweat from his forehead.

Kanyk nods towards Cesran in gratitude. "Thank you. Now to see if these scrolls actually work." He offers a nod towards Drakha, and then towards Halani as well. "I am ready."

The hatch only permits them through one at a time, and the descent is hard work in the stifling heat, though it's not too far. They find themselves in a room full of brass pipes, shaking and rattling. Jetting steam occasionally from ruptured joints. A furnace roars at the far end of the room, and there's a pit of water sunk into the earth which is bubbling furiously.

GAME: Kanyk used a Scroll of Endure Elements. GAME: Kanyk used a Scroll of Endure Elements. GAME: Cesran rolls fort: (14)+1: 15

Cesran follows down as sweat continues to drip off him. He pauses every once and a while to wipe the sweat from his head. He is eager to get down and put his feet on something solid. He looks around, "Anything look like an emergency valve?"

Drakha allows Halani to go down first since she seemed quite eager to it, and follows down after her. Looking around some in the room where they are in now, trying to figure out which way they need to go. "I believe it is that way." he finally says, motioning to the other side of the furnace. "Be careful about the water, it looks rather hot." he observes, intending to give the boiling water quite wide berth while moving through the room to get forward.

All except Drakha see- There's something odd about the Furnace and the Water pool. Shapes moving around that are a bit too regular to be simple pattermns in the fire. Elementals!

Kanyk gives pause, looking closeley at the furnace. "There are beings around the furnace. I am unsure of their intentions but I can't imagine them being very good. We must prepare!" He draws his fists in tight in a defensive stance.

Halani starts to approach the furnace and water pool, making no attempt to be stealthy about it. They're like little steam faeries! "Shoo, Shoo I say! Go away!"

Cesran raises his hand and with a word the air glows in front of him in the shape of a shield before it disappears. He readies himself for the elementals to attack. GAME: Cesran casts Shield.

GAME: Drakha rolls initiative: Roll: 3 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 5 GAME: Cesran rolls initiative: Roll: 3 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 6 GAME: Halani rolls initiative: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 23 GAME: Kanyk rolls initiative: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 17 GAME: You roll initiative for Fire Elemental 1: Roll: 7 + Bonus: 5 = Total: 12 GAME: You roll initiative for Fire Elemental 2: Roll: 4 + Bonus: 5 = Total: 9 GAME: You roll initiative for Water Elemental 1: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 0 = Total: 14 GAME: You roll initiative for Water Elemental 2: Roll: 17 + Bonus: 0 = Total: 17

GAME: Halani rolls reflex: (11)+8: 19

Just as Halani approaches the water, two things happen at once. The first of which is the elementals come out of hiding. The fire elementals billow thick steam, while the water ones roil and bubble endlessly. They all seem enraged. At the same time, a gout of superheated steam blasts Halani's way, and narrowly misses.

<OOC> Halani will go total defence, with a 5' step toward them. More shooing motions.

"Hey, hey.. stop that!" Halani calls out, her voice raising to try and get the attention of the elementals. Then.. something warns her, maybe it's a slight shift in air pressure, maybe it's a noise from the pipes... and she ducks, narrowly missing a blast of steam spraying out.

GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d20+9: (4)+9: 13

Kanyk doesn't wait around to be steamed at. He moves to the nearest elemental... one of the water variety, and goes to take a swing at it. His punch sails through nothing but water, succeeding only in getting his arm a bit wet. He keeps himself prepared for the counteroffensive, however.

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Next up are the water elementals. One will try to grab Kanyk and pull him into the water, the other will aid another." GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+1: (3)+1: 4 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7

The water elementals move to surround Kanyk, then, and attempt to grab ahold of him and shove him towards the boiling pool of water. The Eagleman is far too strong for them, though, and they acheive little success.

The other, fiery elementals, in the mean time move their way around the boiling pool towards the group of adventurers.

GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/the planes: (4)+9: 13 GAME: Cesran rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

Cesran doesn't know too much about water elementals something he will have to study up on, but he does know how one thing works. He extends his hand and a missile of pure force comes out and strikes the water elemental, hurting it a little.

GAME: Drakha casts Shield.

Drakha seemed to have completely missed the creatures lurking in the water and fire until they are pointed out by the others, at which point the combat has already started. He curses in draconic at the sudden assault, choosing to stay back for a bit to get better view on the overall situation, and enhance his own defenses, raising a hand up front of him in a blocking gesture while speaking a few more words in draconic causing a shimmering magical barrier to form around him, soon fading out of view.

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Steam Jets trigger if I roll under 25 on a d100" GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d100: (100): 100 GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+8: (17)+8: 25 GAME: Halani rolls 1d8+3: (6)+3: 9

"Hey! I said stop that!" Halani says, forgetting caution as she jumps forward and backhands the little elemental trying to give Kanyk a bath. A DEADLY BATH.

GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d20+8: (19)+8: 27 GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d20+8: (4)+8: 12 GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d20+8: (8)+8: 16 GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12

Kanyk's fists fly in a blaze of speed. His first blow connects solidly at the core of the elemental and it goes splash... dead. He spins around, sending two more punches flying at the second elemental, hitting nothing but water. Again.

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Water elemental attacks Kanyk." GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+1: (7)+1: 8 <OOC> Chiddle says, "Misses." <OOC> Chiddle says, "Fire elementals attack Halani." GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4+1d4: (4)+(4): 8 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4+1d4: (1)+(3): 4 <OOC> Chiddle says, "Roll reflex twice" GAME: Halani rolls reflex: (11)+8: 19 GAME: Halani rolls reflex: (19)+8: 27

The water elemental bubbles and hisses, and attempts to grab Kanyk in a scalding bear-hug, but the creature struggles to hold him. The fire elementals have more luck with Halani. The two of them descend upon her, and lash out with tongues of flame, searing her flesh and chrring her clothes which- thankfully- smoulder but do not catch alight.

GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/the planes: (15)+9: 24 GAME: Cesran rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2

Cesran knows much more about fire elementals but before he rattles off his knowledge he turns and extends his hand at the fire elemental. Another force missile flies through the air and hits the fire elemental on the left. Cesran says, "Try not to let the fire elementals touch you. They will set you on fire."

GAME: Drakha casts Bull's Strength.

Drakha watches the fight proceeding, moving around to where he has clear line to the fire elementals which seem the more dangerous of the enemies, gripping his spear with one hand, though not moving in to attack yet, instead he touches his chest with his other hand while speaking words in draconic, imbueing himself with the great physical might of his ancestors, before gripping his spear with both hands.

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d100: (53): 53 <OOC> Halani will do a flurry attack, ki point for an extra attack, and power attack. Fire elementals. GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9 GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9 GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13

"Hey.... ow!" Flames score across Halani's face and torso, singing the steamed robes yet thankfully avoiding igniting. "Grrrr... stupid elementals!" she yells, and, ignoring Cesaran's warning, kicks at one elemental while trying to punch the other one. Steaming jets throw her concentration off, one punch being pulled so she can weave out of the way, and the flame elementals dance about unharmed.

GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d20+8: (13)+8: 21 GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d20+8: (5)+8: 13 GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d8+4: (6)+4: 10

Kanyk's fists fly again, two punches sailing towards the elemental. The first hits, killing the elemental instantly. The second might have hit too, if the elemental wasn't already dead. He then turns to address other enemies.

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Fire elementals go again. One of them breaks off to attack Ces, the other attacks Halani. Roll your AoO" GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+7: (8)+7: 15 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21

One of the fire elementals swings for Halani again, but she's distracted by its ally heading towards the mage. It lashes out at him, roasting a broad swathe of his flesh, but failing to set him entirely alight. A pipe overhead bursts its fitting and falls, clattering to the ground. The steam gets even hotter and thicker in the room.

<OOC> Cesran says, "5' step away and ray of frost fire elemental" GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23 GAME: Cesran rolls 1d3+1: (3)+1: 4

Cesran cries out in pain as the fire comes at him and he manages to get away from the fire elemental before he can catch on fire. He points his finger at fire elemental close to him and a ray of chilly energy shoots towards it. The frost crackles all over putting out some of the fire on the elemental. "Take that."

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+10: (8)+10: 18 GAME: Drakha rolls 1d8+7: (8)+7: 15 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d100: (16): 16 GAME: Kanyk rolls reflex: (5)+7: 12 GAME: Drakha rolls reflex: (10)+5: 15 GAME: Halani rolls reflex: (11)+8: 19

Drakha notices one of the fire elementals chasing after the fairly vulnerable wizard and charges after it, running it through with a powerful thrust from his spear, causing it to dissipate and go back to where it came from.

GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d100: (16): 16 GAME: Kanyk rolls reflex: (5)+7: 12 GAME: Drakha rolls reflex: (10)+5: 15 GAME: Halani rolls reflex: (11)+8: 19 GAME: Chiddle rolls 2d4: (5): 5

Steam blasts the group, this time only Cesran is spared from the superheated water, buut they manage to avoid or simply ignore the damage, regardless.

GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+7: (8)+7: 15 GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+7: (4)+7: 11 GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+7: (19)+7: 26 GAME: Halani rolls 1d8+5: (6)+5: 11 GAME: Halani rolls reflex: (19)+8: 27 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4: (1): 1 GAME: Chiddle damaged Halani for 1 points. 15 remaining.

Halani takes two more swift punches at the last elemental, but apprehension, perhaps, over being burned leads her strikes astray. She pauses, then, a deep breath... and even as another blast of steam hisses right by her face, she aims a strike straight at the creature's heard. Or where its heard would be if it had one. Right through the flames. She doesn't even wince as the flames tremble and nearly disperse, though when she draws her hand back the flesh is red and her sleeves further singed.

GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d20+7: (9)+7: 16 GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d6+4: (2)+4: 6

The Egalrin monk darts towards the elemental who had attacked Halaniis movement, he draws out a sharp, tiny spearlike weapon, and thrusts it into the center of the elemental, causing its flames to die out. He quickly tucks the weapon back into its sheath and turns around, as if trying to find more enemies.

The last of the fire elementals dies down, and the furnace dies down with it- the bubbling water stops boiling quite so violently. But steam still spurts from the pipes, and rises from the room below, accessible by yet anther ladder, much like the first.

Drakha looks around some as the last fire elemental goes away, an eyeridge lifted some. "Was that it? Or is there more of these further down?" he ponders out loud while walking over towards the next ladder. "I guess there is only one way to find out."

Cesran winces as he checks on the wounds. He wipes off the sweat. "Let's hurry up and vent this steam." He heads over after Drakha, "After you."

Halani wipes at her brow with her unburned hand; the sweat has mingled with the steam, leaving the scarf quite drenched. But perhaps that's a good thing. She, too, heads over to the next ladder... and barring anyone else having a desperate desire to be first, she wraps her hand with her sleeve, then descends.

GAME: Kanyk used a Potion of Cure Light Wounds. GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d8+1: (6)+1: 7 GAME: Chiddle damaged Cesran for -7 points. 13 remaining.

The group descends into the next chamber, the main tank room. The constant whistling and banging noise seems to be coming from here, and the reason is obvious. The main tank is rattling and shaking so hard it seems to be shaking itself apart. The whole metal casing seems bloated, and steam erupts violently from a couple of tiny holes. The pressure gage has burst. Just as you enter the room, a couple of squat, winged humanoid creatures turn from conversing about something, to look at you. "Aieeee! No-one stops the steam!" one of them yells.

GAME: Halani rolls initiative: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 23 GAME: Drakha rolls initiative: Roll: 7 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 9 GAME: You roll initiative for Mephit1: Roll: 9 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 15 GAME: You roll initiative for Mephit2: Roll: 16 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 22 GAME: You roll initiative for Mephit3: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 24 GAME: Kanyk rolls initiative: Roll: 4 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 7 GAME: Cesran rolls initiative: Roll: 17 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 20 GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13

"You shut up!" Halani yells. She might, perhaps, be a little panicked as the state of the steam tank becomes apparent to everyone. And she's maybe a little bit sick of tiny troublemakers, too. She darts forward, intent on batting the loud one right out of the air, but it dances nimbly out of the way.

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Mephit 2 attempts to summon, also" GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d100: (20): 20

The second Mephit begins attacking the tank, too, and tears free a pipe. The blast of steam sends it tumbling back and it lands with a thud- but unharmed. The roaring steam blows a hole through the ceiling, and tiny grey claws come scrabbling out of the tank, as something begins to emerge.

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

Cesran drinks one of his potions to heal the burns on his way down. The mephits are hard to miss as steam shoots all over. He extend his hand and with a magic word a missile of pure force shoots towards the mephit and slightly hurts it.

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Mephit1 uses Boiling Rain on the group. Everyone but Halani, make a Fort save." GAME: Chiddle rolls 2d6: (7): 7 GAME: Drakha rolls fortitude: (19)+6: 25 GAME: Cesran rolls fort: (7)+1: 8 GAME: Kanyk rolls fortitude: (17)+6: 23 GAME: Chiddle damaged Kanyk for 3 points. 28 remaining. GAME: Chiddle damaged Cesran for 7 points. 6 remaining.

The remaining Mephit holds out its hands, and then clenches its fists. The steam in the air swirls and condenses above the group, before it begins falling in fat, scalding-hot droplets over their heads, burning flesh where it lands.

GAME: Drakha casts Bull's Strength.

Drakha narrows his eyes as he watches the strange creatures, these must be those mephits the wizard talked about earlier. He remembers him saying something about them not being affected by fire, which limits his options some. Then some sort of spell is cast on them, which only feels pleasantly warm to him, but the others don't seem to fare so well so he moves away from them to spread out, but not before placing a hand on Kanyk's shoulder, while saying, "Let the might of the great dragons to empower you in this battle."

GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d20+11: (8)+11: 19 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10 GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d8+6: (8)+6: 14

Kanyk dashes towards the nearest Mephit. As he is running, a fist is being clenched.... and by the time he reaches the Mephit, he unloads a powerful right hand into the mephit, killing it instantly. He now turns towards the others.

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Mephit3 uses its breath attack on Halani" GAME: Halani rolls reflex: (13)+8: 21

The Mephit who failed to summon an ally with his lead pipe approach flies over Halani's had, spewing a gout of noxious superheated steam at her.

GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8 GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+7: (10)+7: 17 GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12 GAME: Halani rolls 1d8+5: (1)+5: 6

"Whoah there..." Halani says, eyes widening when she sees the Mephit taking a big breath... and ducks just in time to miss by a scalding jet of steam! She comes up with leading with her elbows and a foot, and manages to connect this time. Earning her a squeal from the tiny creature.

<OOC> Chiddle says, "Mephit2 uses scalding rain on Halani and Kanyk, The summon charges Drakha." GAME: Halani rolls fortitude: (10)+5: 15 GAME: Kanyk rolls fortitude: (20)+6: 26 GAME: Chiddle rolls 2d6: (9): 9 GAME: Chiddle damaged Halani for 4 points. 11 remaining. GAME: Chiddle damaged Kanyk for 4 points. 24 remaining. GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12

The creature that summoned his budy climbs back onto his feet, and whirls his hands dramatically as another cloud of searing droplets forms above Halani this time- they soak into the clothes and scald the skin. Meanwhile his summoned budy charges for Drakha, and lashes out with claws that find no purchase on his tough scales.

<OOC> Cesran says, "force missile on Meph 3" GAME: Cesran rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4

Cesran grrs as he gets rained on by hot boiling water. Who knew water could hurt so much? He says a magic word and aims his hand at one of the mephits to fire another bolt of force at it. The bolt hurts the mephit.

GAME: Drakha casts Magic Missile. GAME: Drakha rolls 2d4+2: (6)+2: 8

Drakha growls in annoyance as the small winged creature tries futily to get throug his scales with its claws, taking a step to the side to get a clear line of sight to the other mephit that the others seem to be focusing on and adds his own share too, lifting a hand towards it and sending two red beams of energy from his fingertips towards it, both striking true and injuring it further, but not quite enough yet to take it down.

<OOC> Kanyk says, "5'. Flurry of Blows on nearest mephit." GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d20+10: (6)+10: 16 GAME: Kanyk rolls 1d20+10: (4)+10: 14

Kanyk sets eyes upon the nearest mephit, and swiftly closes the distance towards it. He lets his fists fly again, and both attacks miss their mark.

GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+8: (3)+8: 11

Halani misses the bad breathed Mephit going down... she's trying to hard to cover her face as the boiling rain pours down on hers and Kaynk's heads. When the deluge stops, she turns to look for another, dancing around it to try and kick it down from behind. Kicking flying things, not her best skill.

<OOC> Chiddle says, "The mephit takes a 5' back, uses his breath weapon on halani and Kanyk. The one on Drakha attacks again. Roll reflex, Kanyk and Halani." GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+5: (19)+5: 24 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d20+5: (5)+5: 10 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4: (1): 1 GAME: Halani rolls reflex: (4)+8: 12 GAME: Kanyk rolls reflex: (18)+7: 25 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d3+1: (3)+1: 4 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4: (1): 1 GAME: Chiddle damaged Halani for 1 points. 10 remaining. GAME: Chiddle damaged Drakha for 4 points. 30 remaining.

The mephit attacking Drakha latches onto him with pointy claws, and continues scraping at him, this time managing to pry loose a couple of scales. Meanwhile, the other one breathes another cone of noxious steam at Kanyk and Halani, and Halani is not quite fast enough to evade it this time. The steam stings the flesh, but mostly, the noxious stench turns her stomach.

GAME: Drakha casts Magic Missile. GAME: Drakha rolls 2d4+2: (5)+2: 7 GAME: Cesran rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4

Cesran sees the mephit spew it's noxious stream at Halani. He focuses his magic on that mephit and another force missile files at the mephit and hurts it.

Drakha hisses as the mephit manages to actually do some minor damage this time, but still chooses to ignore it in favor of focusing fire on the ones his companions are attacking also, managing to finish off another one with another barrage of red beams of energy, leaving only the one attacking him left.

The remaining mephit charges for drakha, going for the eyes this time, when he dissapears in a puff of foul-smelling smoke. All that remains now is to open the emergency release valve before the place explodes. The valve itself has one of those big, circular metal wheels to operate. It's extremely stiff, and very hot to the touch. Skin sizzles and burns as one grasps it.

GAME: Halani rolls strength: (15)+2: 17 GAME: Kanyk rolls strength: (18)+4: 22 GAME: Chiddle rolls 1d4: (4): 4 GAME: Chiddle damaged Halani for 4 points. 6 remaining. GAME: Chiddle damaged Kanyk for 4 points. 20 remaining.

Kanyk wastes no time moving towards the emergency valve. Despite the pain from the heat, he wraps his hands around it and tugs hard. With the aid of Halani, the wheel gives a bit, and finally spins free, accompanied with a loud hissing noise. Kanyk shakes his hands frantically, trying to cool them.

Cesran watches the two of the monks struggle to get the valve to open. He could probably help, but he's all ready badly burned from the mephit's boiling rain. He still offers, "Need any help?"

The building rumbles and lurches once the valve is released, and for a gut-wrenching moment it feels as though the entire place is going to come down, anyway. Extremely hot steam under vast pressure rockets out of the vent in the cliff-face, creating a sound not unlike thunder. The grill is torn off the vent entirely, and tumbles down into the water below. Stretched and weakened as it was, the main tank crumples now it's emptying, and several more pipes break loose and drop down with loud clattering sounds. Eventually, though, the sounds die down, and the steam remaining in the area begins to slowly thin as it rises through the layers and out of the ceiling. Soaked, Frazzled, Singed and Scraped, but more or less in one piece, the job is done.

Halani giggles a little bit, perhaps a touch madly, once all the noise and thunder and shaking are down. She's wet, scaleded, burned.. but giggling. "I thought that was the end," she says, flat on her back.

When all is said and done, the group find out exactly what happened here: The artificer replaced the coal-burning furnace in the steam engine with a fire elemental, in an attempt to make the system more efficient. But he was still unsatisfied that a great deal of power the engine was putting out was devoted to pumping water up from the sea below. So, he decided that he'd install a water elemental to create the water. Only problem is, he didn't take into account the fact that the fire and water elementals wouldn't be too fond of one another. The two of them had been warring in the system, gradually building steam pressure for days. Eventually, all this steam drew through a steam mephit who began calling forth more of his ilk- while convincing the fire and water elementals to escalate their conflict, further improving the environment for him and his. Eventually, the system couldn't take it anymore, and all hell broke loose- causing the explosion. </nowiki>