"A bloke can have hobbies," Baern remarked, sizing up the pulsating ooze from a distance.

"Think we can draw it out? It'd be nice to tackle one at a time if we can."

"I will attack from range then, I've fire, light and magics of the mind . . . " Kreo watches the scurrying slimes "they might see some effect if I do that, who knows? "

The satyr tried to keep low but his incessant chatter was back now that he wasn't invisible, making up for lost time

"Would anyone like the 'blessing of the worker' as it were?"

OOC: you know it, you love it, offering the Bless spell. Initiative 20!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:08, Mon 18 Mar.

Procz continued telekinetically lifting what material he could, exposing the oozes. His face reflected his mental effort, as if he was lifting some of the pieces of scrap with his own tiny muscles.

"There. You should be able to target them with your ranged attacks." Procz exclaimed. He did not claim the blessing, as he figured it would be more useful to anyone who might have to get closer to the slimes.

Initiative 25!

Baern's relationship with the divine was loose and fairly flexible. The Gods were distant and abstract figures and for the most part he didn't give them a great deal of thought. Of far more immediate concern to the sensible gnome were forces like Fortune and Karma - of which he was personally familiar - and the animating spirits of places and things. Genius loci. That's what the greybeards called them. They were the reason why miners made offerings at the minehead and carried totems with them down into the earth; to appease the spirits and ward off disaster. This mentality was part of the reason why Baern had taken to the Gear Lord especially quickly. If rocks and caves had spirits, it only stood to reason that machines and contraptions should have the same.

All this to say then that if someone was offering up Blessings - be they a God, a sprite, an imp or some other proxy of a beneficent force - Baern was only too happy to accept them even if he didn't much care for the 'how' or the 'why'.

"Over here, guv," he said, sticking up his hand. "I'll have whatever you're doling out."

Initiative 10
19:04, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Initiative. – 10
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Sun 17 Mar.

Frack wasn't sure how fast these black slimes could move once provoked, but he figured that a shield in front of Kreo would be a good thing. He approached the satyr, keeping a watchful eye on the slithering slimes within the junk pile as he did. He also noted one or two shiny spots that would warrant investigation later, but for now, he realized Frack the Shield was more needed than Frack the scrapper. Amid all this, he also accepted Kreo's offer."Tyr stands for justice, and what could be more just than the blessing of the worker? I humbly accept the offer if it still stands!"
He drew his scimitar and readied his shield as he moved into position.


16:14, Today: Frack rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  initiative
16:34, Today: Frack rolled 8 using 1d20-1.  arcana - how does one fight whatever is in the junk pile??? –

This message was last edited by the player at 02:38, Mon 18 Mar.

"As do I ," Vecaal chimed in behind Frack, in case there was enough blessing to go around.  He hadn't worked with Kreo long enough to gauge the extent of his magical power, but hoped his ask wouldn't overtax him.  Decidedly irreligious, the Dragonborn was still not above gaining a leg up in whatever way was offered.  Hopefully that level of practicality didn't rule him out.

Turning his attention to the trash pile and the brief glimpses of black ooze pooled within, he willed a dusky blade into his hand, its edge barely glinting in dirty amber.  He was ready for the assault to begin.

OOC:
08:51, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 16 using 1d20+8.  Initiative.

"Right then," Baern said, rolling up his sleeves. Stalking towards the nearer ooze he broke into a sprint steps before the mound and fell upon the gelatinous creature in a fury. Bessie hit the mound with a resounding thwack, sending refuse flying in every direction.

Bonus: Rage
Attack hits AC 26 got 16 magical bludgeoning damage and 4 radiant damage

18:43, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 20 using 1d10+4+2+1d6+2.  Damage. – 20
18:42, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 26 using 1d20+6+1d4.  Attack. – 26

Kreo's hands formed a circle and a ball of flame came forth. He reared back and flung it at the furthest slime, trying to burn it.

OOC: attack roll 13, damage 9 fire

Inspired by Baern's heroic charge into battle, Frack followed him with a steadfast determination. He attempted to match the gnome's aggressive style by swinging as hard as he possibly could with his eyes closed. This resulted in Frack hitting an unexpected piece of garbage over the intended target, losing his grip, and dropping his trusty scimitar directly into the slime itself.

22:37, Today: Frack rolled 7 using 1d20+6.  Scimitar vs. black slime.

Aw crap! A one? Vs. a slime/ooze/goo? That's gotta mean I dropped my weapon INTO the slime/ooze/goo, doesn't it?

Vecaal has thought the plan was to draw the slime out, but Baern was clearly too impatient after paying an arm and leg for his replacement boot.  That frustration had to go somewhere.  As the group sprang into action the dragonborn let out his hissing laugh and shook his snout.  Stepping a little to the side to provide an angle, he let fly with his psychic blades at the same target.  Perhaps in bulk they could overwhelm the thing before it split into multiple targets.

OOC:
Move as needed to gain line of sight.
Ranged attack action with psychic blade, bonus action ranged attack with second psychic blade.

Hit AC16 for 17 dmg
11:47, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 13,13 using 1d20+5,1d20+5.  Attack.
11:48, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 3,3 using 1d4,1d4.  Bless.
11:48, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 9,5 using 1d6+3,1d4+3.  Damage.
11:51, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 3 using 2d6.  Sneak attack damage.  Assuming Baern and Frack constitute threat within 5 ft of slime.

Procz's telekinesis opened a narrow aperture through which magic, weapons, and magical weapons could slip. Baern's hammer smashed into the black goop, which ultimately splashed back to burn his leg. Even so, he felt something substantive at the center of the slime, something that squished satisfyingly beneath the blunt force of his hammer. (Baern, you take 4 acid damage)

Frack was not so lucky. His scimitar caught the edge of an old pipe as he swung it down, and the weapon leapt from his hand to land in the black sludge. The slime quickly absorbed the weapon, which vanished from sight. (Frack, you are minus one scimitar)

Vecaal's psychic blades, guided by Kreo's blessing, did was the satyr's fire failed to do, piercing and burning the mucous body.

The wounded slime retaliated, launching a tendril of black ooze at Baern, but the miner easily evaded it. As for its cousin (sibling? twin? clone?), it had disappeared from view.

That Bless made a huge difference! The slime's AC is really poor, so even with 3/4 cover, it only gets to 16. Bless got several attacks over the line!

Same deal for next round: the slime has full cover, which Procz can reduce to 3/4 with his telekinesis. The other slime has presumably burrowed deeper into the pile and is nowhere to be found. Anyone who wishes may spend their action on a Perception check to try to locate it. Procz got advantage when he made this check because of his telekinesis - I'd consider the same for someone else if they have a similarly useful skill/spell.

Baern took another swing at the ooze, driving his pipe-wrench right into the middle of the slime.

"Its for the best, mate," Baern said over his shoulder to Frack. "Don't want to split it up even further! Find something to squish it or burst it! Here."

Baern pulled one of the spring loaded javelins off his belt, flipped the catch so it sprung into place, and handed it to the plucky goblin.

Rage/Reckless/Bless
Attack hits AC 20 (before bless) for 18 damage

10:05, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 18 using 1d10+4+2+1d6+2.  Damage. – 18
10:04, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 20 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack. – 20
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Fri 22 Mar.

Vecaal waited for Procz to repeat his telekinetic legerdemain and then flung two more of his dusky blades at the slime.  Both seemed to fly true, though gauging the damage (or lack thereof) was more than a little difficult.

"Are we getting anywhere?" he called out to Baern and Frack, who presumably knew best standing beside the oily puddle of goop.

OOC:
Hit AC 24 for 12 dmg, and AC 16 for 4 dmg.

20:33, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 24,13 using 1d20+5,1d20+5.  Attack.
20:33, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 3 using 1d4.  Bless for second attack.
20:39, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 9,4 using 1d6+3,1d4+3.  Damage Reroll with correct dice.
20:34, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 3 using 2d6.  Sneak attack damage, assuming Baern and Frack are threatening slime.

Kreo lined up another shot, snarling and snapping his finger to fling a fire bolt at the troublesome ooze to free up time to go pursue the other one

OOC: 25 on the roll, crit. 9 damage normally, 12 if crit

Procz continued lifting pieces of scrap and flinging them aside. The effort was giving him a headache, but it was better than being engulfed by acidic slime. He held two fingers against his head right in front of his temple. Somehow, strangely, it made it easier to focus on using telekinetic powers.

"Tears of the hammer!" Frack cried as he watched his one and only scimitar dissolve in the slime puddle. He froze momentarily, unsure of what good his bare fists would do against the cunning slime before him. Baern's javelin suddenly appeared in his hands, however, and his next step was immediately certain. With a quick nudge of his helmet, he stepped forward and stabbed at the slime with his newly acquired weapon.

Action: Using inspiration and Fury of the Small* to hit AC21 for 6 piercing damage. Will use as a melee weapon if possible (instead of throwing). Yes, this might cause damage to Frack, but he doesn't want to lose another weapon!
Reaction: Interception (1d10+2 on any attacks against an ally within 5 feet of him (Baern?).

00:38, Today: Frack rolled 17 using 2d20+1, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 16,7.  Javelin vs. black slime (using inspiration).
00:42, Today: Frack rolled 4 using 1d4 with rolls of 4.  Bless bonus to attack roll.
00:43, Today: Frack rolled 6 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 3.  Piercing damage (1d6 - 1 + 4 Fury of the Small if possible).

*Assuming the slime is size medium or bigger.

Another round of hammer blows, javelin strikes, and psychic attacks exploded the party's slime of foe in a blast that sent acidic black ichor splattering onto Frack and Baern (1 acid damage to Baern, 6 to Frack). They had rid The Slope of that particular scourge, but its other half had seeped into debris and was now nowhere to be seen.

"Anyone see where the other one went?" Baern asked. He sauntered over to where the other ooze had last been seen and began rooting through the pile with his wrench.

"Yeowch," Frack yelped as he wiped frantically at the vestiges of slime still on his person, managing only to smear it more thoroughly over himself. "Even after it's dead this stuff is still deadly!" He searched the trash pile for a piece of cloth to wipe off his hands, finally settling on the remains of a sack that he suspected (based on the smell) had been used for carrying either skunk pelts or bat guano.

"Thanks for the javelin, by the way," he nodded to Baern. "Your generosity is both noble and noted." Seeing the gnome sorting through the debris, he decided it best to thank him by joining in the search. He lifted what was left of a small slab of rusted metal, revealing a myriad of beetles that scurried into the nearest crevice and out of sight. From there, the goblin picked haphazardly through the pile. "Watch out for bloodsuckers," he warned. "And toe rotters. Get one them down your boot and you'll end up hopping on one foot looking for a healer for sure."

"Do we know what these things eat? Perhaps it will come out for supper and we can ambush it?"

Kreo had stayed back but moved with Frack and Baern to help with the search for their gear and necessaries

"Boots and scimitars?" Vecaal offered as he cautiously shifted his weight on the junk pile, the accumulated detritus sagging beneath the weight of each footfall.  The Dragonborn had no idea how to flush an ooze out from the massive scrap pile if it didn't want to come out.  What they needed was an industrial flamer that could spew naphtha and remove the whole of the junk pile in one go.

"Burn the whole of it to ash?"

Frack cringed at Vecaal's suggestion. "Oooooh - I don't think we want to do that! There's a lot of good stuff here! Like..." He scanned the scrap heap for an example, but nothing caught his eye. Nonetheless, he kept looking for proof of his point, his sentence still dangling in the air, implying a discovery at any second.

Certainly there's some good stuff here somewhere. This is a good pile!

This was indeed a good pile. In addition to the usual factory scrap, it contained tools - salvageable pieces of tools, anyway - some sturdy iron gears, and even some imperfect automaton arms and legs. It was plain to see while the Remnants wanted the slime out of there before it devoured the lot.

Speaking of which, Baern caught sight of it just as it was sneaking up behind Frack. He shouted out a warning, but not in time for the goblin to leap away from the lashing pseudopod, which attached to his leg with a wet slap. When he pulled the limb back, he found the chicken wire corroded and a good chunk of his leg along with it.

The slime, for its part, slurped back into the junk pile.

Assuming a 19 hits, Frack takes 7 physical damage and 27 acid damage. The slime would have had advantage on the attack if not for Baern's warning, but it still rolled pretty well.

Procz: Factory owners often use these slimes for refuge disposal, and occasionally they get loose and become the constabulary's problem to deal with, so you've had some training if not direct experience. You know that when struck by slashing weapons or electric damage, they divide into two. You also know they're deaf and blind and detect nearby prey primarily by their movement and vibrations.

Once again, the slime currently has full cover but you do know where it is so Procz can use telekinesis (or anyone else can spend their action lifting debris) to reduce that to 3/4 cover.

"Here!" Frack called triumphantly, finally spotting a sturdy iron gear that was still whole. "This would fetch more than a few copper-" The joy of his first discovery was cut short by another: that of a sinister lobe wrapped entirely around his leg.

The goblin squealed, flailing ineptly with both shield and javelin. As the flesh all along his leg began to sizzle audibly, he turned a pale face to his friends. "Hey - I found the slime." His helmet sank down over his eyes and he collapsed atop the junk pile, leg still fizzling softly.

20:20, Today: Frack rolled 11 using 1d20.  Death saving throw. Just made it!
20:21, Today: Frack rolled 3 using 1d4.  Juuuuuuuust in case Bless is still active.

"Behind you!" Baern tried to shove Frack bodily out of the way, but the slime was faster. Seizing Bessie in both hands he brought the wrench down in a brutal blow sending slime spattering in every direction.

"Vera! He's hurt!"

Rage/Reckless/Bless

Critical hit for 29 damage

08:48, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 29 using 2d10+4+2+2d6+2.  Damage. – 29

08:47, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 26 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack. – 26