Turning to Val's offer of providing answers, Ardash fires off another round of questions, "How long did your mentor spend studying the robot before returning to the catacombs? Did he learn anything that may help us in determining what caused it to activate? I would like to peruse his notes if they are available."
Criek looks up from fussing over Val's injury at R-66Y's suggestion, "Oh, yes, Val, I'm sure you were part of Khonnir's investigation -- do you know what he was hoping to find in going back to the caves?
"If we've time before meeting the Council, I should like to inspect the machine myself?"
If given the opportunity to examine the robot,
"We may get more answers when we visit the council,
but this does raise some questions."
Coming back around the corner, Valia checks and sheathes his blade.
Then he picks a spot to lean against the wall nearby.
Sharae nods and smiles at Valia, acknowledging the danger he put himself in and his skill in bringing down whatever was in the building...
...I think someone is rightfully due the payment of one bottle of whiskey...
Well let's see here. Anody takes out one of his scrolls and examines it thoughtfully. The first portion of what it said was something like Abort objective one.. activate self defense.. delete intrusive error I believe it was referring to you as the intrusive error Valia. Ahah. The second thing it said was approximately systems failure... network detected, cannot access network... deploy beacon.. save data.. shut down...
Anody rolls up his scroll and puts it back in his backpack and continues.
This is most distressing. It raises more questions then it answers I fear. What was this machine's 'objective one?' what was this network it detected when it tired to call for help? And what is this beacon it deployed? That cannot be good. It saved data however so... maybe someone who understands this sort of thing could retrieve what it stored?
So saying Anody examines the machine to look for something that could be a beacon or saved data that could be read somehow.
"Would you mind if I watch as you work at the Row-Bought, Professor?"
Valia bends over Anody Gearon as he works trying to increase his understanding of the machine's inner workings.
Val says no there is only the one. I was making a meal when it activated. It seemed to go after metal things. After it hit me that's what it did. Are you going to find khonnir? If so, please use the inn as your base of operation. You can use the foundry if you need it and we have plenty of food and drink. It's going to be closed while khonnir is missing anyway.
"It went after metal? What do you mean?"
Valia doesn't look up from Anody's work. He tries to figure out if he can follow what the gnome is doing.
"So, does the rope-like thing connect the green things, or what?"
Ayla asks "Did Khonnir tell you where he found this thing?" as she points to the robot.
"Using the Inn and foundry as a operation point is not a bad idea.
And I can use a foundry for repairs."
Valia@ it don't know. It made a small pile. she points at a pile of metal dishes, utensils and tools.
Ayla@ he found it the first time he went looking for why the torch went out.
"And where did he go about looking for the cause of the Flame going out?"
I'm not certain. I think he told the council.
…the Council….we need to get to the Council….they need to know about this….
”Val, we need to go to the Council, we had a prior engagement but it seems that this is a more pressing matter…will you be okay if we leave you here? Or, if you prefer, you may accompany us?”
Standing, Sharae addresses her companions, ”We should go to the Council now…maybe they have some of the answers we need”
Although I expect we’ll just get more questions…
”Professor, you’re sure that thing won’t start back up?”
"If the council knows where Khonnir found the robot, then that is our primary objective. However, while waiting in the tavern I learned that there was a similar incident at the refuse yard in town. I would like to investigate this matter before heading to our meeting. Perhaps I could meet you there after I have concluded my investigation?"
”Ardash…take someone with you? If there is any chance that another one of those…things…being at the Refuse Yard, you would be better off if you were not alone”
Sharae subtly nods at Valia to encourage him to accompany ‘Ardash’ and, after checking again that Val is okay, sets off to meet the Council.
Well Valia, I must confess most of what I can figure out of this machine doesn't come from my research, the league seems to be very good at keeping technical secrets to themselves, it comes from my background in other clockwork mechanisms and constructs. This is all very theoretical to me and this is my first practical experience with Numerian technology but in the end the common factor between all machines is energy. And in these constructs the energy comes from a device called the 'battery'. I believe this here is the battery Anody points at a bulky grey pack and you can see that power is routed from here to all the other parts via this rope like cable that you pointed out. Very fascinating. One of these other parts must be a calculating engine by which it makes its decisions and another of these must be its 'memory' which from my notes is a separate device from the 'brain' and of course these are obviously rotors and gears that worked the limbs and sensors Anody points at the movable parts of the device There isn't much more to this 'robot' though. It seems very rudimentary... That it 'detected' another network... that indicates there are more of these things and some controlling intellect by which it expected to receive its orders. Seems like this is some wayward scout and I fear there are more of these deeper in the caves where it was found by Mr.Khonnir Baine.
Listening to what Ardash says Anody looks up nervously Ahem, I think it would be good if we all stuck together and maintained safety in numbers. he says as he adjusts his glasses and looks up. I trust the council meeting might not take much time. I begin to think they will have some more light to shed on the strange happenings in town.
Ayla looks down at Anody.
"Wow, you know how the thing works." Ayla responds.
"This thing is currently beyond my understanding.
I could build the body, the frame and other metal parts, but not what is needed to make it move." Ayla adds.
Anody waves his hands No, no, I am no technologist. My understanding is very theoretical and 'high level' as it were. Maybe if I spend some more time here I would gain a deeper understanding of this sort of thing but as I said any useful information seems to either not exist or is kept tight under lock and key. Anody looks back at the very large woman who looms over him with mutual admiration. But you understand the materials used? That is fascinating. This sort of metal is wondrous and is seen nowhere but in Numeria
"Like how you have an idea of how it works
I have an idea of the metals it is made of, and a rough idea of how to make most of its frame and body parts."
"I'm inclined to agree with Anody--if there's another of these at the refuse yard, who's to say it will be so easily dispatched? If investigating that incident might help us understand what has happened to Khonnir and what's driving these things, I would accompany you after we meet with the council?"
Criek looks down at the disabled machine, then glances anxiously at Val before addressing the gnome, "Professor, this thing has already activated once and proved a hazard; is there anything we can do to further disable it and ensure no further threat? The power source -- battery -- can you remove it?"
"If there are anymore of these things nearby, we should find them before they cause trouble to the rest of Torch."
Ayla looks at Criek when she responds
"Taking out a critical part tends not make all things not work anymore, especially the more complex it is."
Hrmph, perhaps. I'd suggest smashing it to bits in the Foundry would be a safer option. Like I said it's the first time I'm actually seeing one of these things. May I suggest we do that, go to meet the council and then decide what to do?
"Why smash it, some of my sisters would have a field day taking this thing apart to learn things, gain ideas, and get new raw materials."
With her cloak wrapped around her, few would mistake Sharae for anything other than a seasoned traveller...with a single minded purpose, she left the Foundry behind her...the voices of her companions debating their next steps becoming more distant as she headed towards the Council.
...the answers, or at the very least, the right questions will be here...Val was right, Khonnir may have told the Council more than he would have told his daughter...parents are strange like that...
As she bustles along the streets of Torch, she listens for the voices of any of her companions that may have decided to follow...
...a strange collection for sure...may Desna's light guide their way...
That sounds like an excellent idea. Anody says. Let us lock it in the Foundry and head to the council meeting for now. having said this Anody runs to catch up to Sharae. I believe you are headed to the meeting?
"I hope that what you found here has made the journey all the more worthwhile? Was it what you expected it to be?", Sharae fires off her questions in quick succession, enthused by the Professor's obvious excitement about the machine, "Is it different to Clockwork then? Could you call it alive? ...and what do YOU think it wanted?"
Sharae slows her strides to allow the Professor to keep pace as she walks...
Ayla replies to Anody
"I think all of us are heading there."
R 6@ khonnir has notes in a journal, but he carries those with him. I'll look to see but it may take a while if anything is here. I should have something by tonight.
So sharae and anody have left to go to the council. What is everyone else doing?
Well the need for a source of energy is similar and the mechanics of movement are very alike but the 'calculating engine' that drives its decisions and the 'memory' that allows it to remember things... those are the true differences Anody says waving his arms for emphasis I think.. I think a calculating engine of sufficient complexity might be indistinguishable from what we would consider life while the most simple of engines would be little more than elaborate clockwork. Anody jerks his head back at the building they just left The one back there. I think it was little more than clockwork, it had instructions and it was carrying them out. No more.
Valia grips his side with a grim smile and looks over to Dash. "I have not had such fun in Torch in a long time Master Sixwhy. As it is, I fear in my state I will be of little use to accompany you to the zone of refuse. But... perhaps we can seek a healer along the way?"
He grins at Val, "I am quite insatiable when faced with challenges."
Maybe if I milk this, I can win the lady.
Unfortunately, Valia fails to notice he has a black stain on his crotch from the dead Robot.
After listening to everyone's arguments on whether or not they should head to the council meeting, it is Anody's plea for safety in numbers and Valia's sorry state that finally convince the android to go along.
"If you feel your safety is in jeopardy, then I shall accompany you to the council meeting. Valia, I shall assist in finding you a healer if those present lack the proper skills." Turning to Criek, "Yes, let us go investigate the issue after our meeting has concluded. Perhaps we will have more knowledge with which to deal with the possible threat."
With that he leaves with the others, taking up the rear position, keeping an eye out for any other dangers.
”So…do you think you will be able to study what is left of that and learn something useful? I too have heard the tales of the more complex machines that rove Numeria...would you be able to learn anything from that more simple device that would help if we were to encounter something more advanced?”
Lost in conversation with Anody, Sharae barely notices that they have arrived at the Council…
You arrive at the council to find only one council member waiting for you. She is an elderly dwarf, wearing a grey metaled warhammer at her belt. The smiles at you entrance.
Well met. I am Dolga Freddert. You are those who will help us find our last councillor, yes?
Peering intently at the warhammer Anody is startled out of his reverie by the dwarf's words. I don't know he says confused. Are we?
Sharae nudges the Professor and whispers ”I think they mean Khonnir Bane…”
”Greetings Councillor Freddert, I am Sharae of the River, a recent arrival in your troubled town. Apologies for my companion’s surprise, we received an invitation to the Council but no indication as to what the purpose of the meeting would be…I am guessing that, by your lost Councillor, you are referring to Councillor Bhaine?”
Although the use of titles to denote rank and importance jars with Sharae’s beliefs of freedom and equality, she maintains a rigidly formal approach…
"The councilor is a good customer of my family's metal work,
so of course I'd go and help find him."
Skipping any introduction, Ardash strides forward and addresses the councilor directly, "I am eager to speak with him about his findings on the automaton he excavated from below. I also desire to see the location at which he found it. If you will provide us with the information required to access these tunnels, I will assist you in returning your fellow councilor to safety."
Why did you decide to send us exactly? And did Mr.Baine let you know what he found in his successful expeditions? Did he know what he was searching for? I presume he was trying to reactivate the Torch? Anody asks.
Valia lingers by the door, and is satisfied to savor each painful breath. He watches the councilor closely as everyone speaks.
He tries to get a good hunch as to where the Councillor might be sending them.
His eyes are caught on how heavy the Councillor's warhammer must be.
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"I'd also like to ask that we get salvage rights, while we are down in the tunnels.
As I could use the cash and materials later for my metal work."
...a mixed set of motivations, the girl seems to be in it for the salvage, my friend the professor seeks knowledge, Valia...seems a little more simple in his wants and desires...but this Ardash...what does he want? He seems so very single-minded...
After Sharae's polite introduction was drowned out by the clamour of queries from her friends, she stands off to one side to see whether Councillor Freddert will maintain her cool under the barrage of queries, clarifications...and demands
Valia's eyes glaze over. He hasn't enjoyed such a beautiful fight in a long time.
It is as if the moment is crystallized in memory for eternity. I fall through. The table breaks. I land on my back, and slash. Sparks fall down. A brilliant flash of light from the unknown inner workings sears our skin as we attempt to bring down the metal monster of Row.
It suffers no more, stupid bot.
When she hears your confusion she smiles, no, no tis ma fault. I wus leapin aheid of meself as usual. Please sit.
After you sitshe pulls out some glasses and puts a black bottle on the table. help yerselves, that's some fine dwarven whisky. Puts hairs on your chest.
She pours herself a glass, and sips, leaning back in her chair.
Nu, to business. Councillor Khonnir is missin, and the council wants someone ta find him. We alsa wants someone to find oot what's happened to tha torch. Anything ya find doon where ye have to go is yours, unless it belongs to Khonnir of course.
She leans forward and says
Tha caves are inhabited by some enormous vermin and other
scavengers, along with some strange humanoids who had the ability to blend into the shadows of the cave walls,oh, an a
nest of gremlins, nasty boogers. Thos have been a pest arund here for a long time.
Khonnir thought this meant a deepa connection in the caves
to the Darklands, but his discovery of a wall of solid metal deep in the caves really took his notice. A walls made of skymetal alloy, one called glaucite. He said it was like the kind we mine from the hills
and surrounding plains, but made inta a structure with doors an such. Twas near one of these doors that Khonnir found a broke metalmun. He brought That back after his first expedition. Oh, did Ah mention. It was his secound time there. Few other expeditions went, all of those are missing.
With eyes growing wider as he listens, Criek asks timidly, "You mean...for us?...to go...into the caves? With the vermin? And the gremlins?"
What have I gotten myself into? Had I arrived in town just a day later, maybe they could have found someone else and Khonnir would be safe and sound by the time I arrived! But I can't abandon him!
He looks around at the others, biting his lip anxiously. "I, if Khonnir, I mean, if he's alive down there, he must need help?" Looking back to the dwarf, he asks, "Why us? I mean, I've worked with him before, and Valia, and I suppose anyone in town would look to Ayla for help, but the rest of us? Why do you think this is the group that can find Khonnir where others have failed?"
"So there is something more down there than gremlins and things that go bump in the night...this door", Sharae pauses, "Sounds intriguing..."
Thinking of Val and the closed Foundry, "Besides, your councillor...and more besides...may still be down there. How can we just walk away from that"
...A door made of skymetal!!!...maybe here is where I will learn more of why the Songs in the Stars spoke of this place...
A wall of glaucite? Anody is dumfounded. Could there be an entire complex under the Torch made entirely of skymetals? he wonders.
Snapping out of the dreamlike state that settled over him momentarily Anody comes back to reality But it sounds so dangerous. Valia here is already heavily injured from just engaging one single robot! Ahem.. can anyone heal him by the way. He's breathing funny.
"The threat of gremlins or vermin do not discourage me, and this door you claim is made of pure glaucite intrigues me greatly. What lies beyond that door may be the source of the network the robot was attempting to access. Do you have reason to believe that the other expeditions have been slain at the hands of these scavengers?"