DM EngineHouse - Smoke and Shadow (Inactive)

Game Master EngineHouse

Those members of the party that are sleeping are rudely awakened by a loud, low pitched humming that fills the chamber. The column no longer glows with a steady blue light. Instead it's luminosity pulses randomly. The humming isn't painfully loud but nonetheless you're no going to be getting back to sleep whilst it continues.

For your tied bodies being allowed to fall asleep than immediately roused is the last straw. You are all fatigued.

Vhailor looks innocent and tries to act as surprised as the rest when the column starts to hum.

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Salvin jerks awake, not knowing exactly where he is for a moment.

"Where's the attack?!?, he yells, scrambling for his greatsword.

He stands up, brandishing the heavy weapon, as he quickly turns left and right as he looks for the cause of the noise. As soon as he sees the light has changed, Salvin run to the door.

"Something's happened to the lights! Those creatures must be coming!"

The paladin takes up a defensive position at the door and looks out to see if anything is attacking or being drawn by the noise.

Perception 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6

AC 9 since I can't sleep in my armor and I was fatigued. Also, I was fatigued before. If this has imposed fatigue again, then I and those who were already fatigued are now exhausted. Let me know if that's the case so I can adjust my stats.

Exhausted: An exhausted character moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –6 penalty to Strength and Dexterity. After 1 hour of complete rest, an exhausted character becomes fatigued. A fatigued character becomes exhausted by doing something else that would normally cause fatigue.

Obadiah's eyes snap open at the ungodly drone, he grabs his bow and quiver and stands groggily;

"'ellish machines! Gregory 'it the infernal thing with that great 'ammer of yours for Desna's sake!" he shouts as he too attempts to disern the graveness of the situation;

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Damrang gets up as quickly as he can, the lack of sleep not affecting him as badly as the others, still feeling the call of his bedroll.

"What's this now? The drawbridge is up, where's the attack?"

Gregory raises a hand in an attempt to propriate the sleepy adventurers.

"Calm yourselves! All that has happened is that the light on the central column has changed. I would be leery of smashing it; we do not know what it does. For all we know, it is all that is keeping those creatures that were spotted earlier from attacking..."

He then sighs.

"Try to get some sleep. I promise that I will wake you if something serious happens. After all, it is not as if that Halfling would have deliberately encouraged us to rest somewhere that was not safe..."

To clarify: Those who were fatigued before are still only fatigued. However, those who passed your fortitude save before and avoided becoming fatigued are now fatigued regardless. Vhilor and Gregory are the exceptions, since they haven't tried to sleep. They remain in whatever state they were during the day

The droning hum and, more importantly, the random flickering of the light will make getting back to sleep all but impossible. Anyone who attempts to doze back off must pass a DC18 will save or remain awake until the piller returns to how it was previously.

Thanks for the clarification.

"I don't don't see how any of us will be able to sleep with this noise and the lights."

Salvin looks outside through the crack at the door to if he could sleep outside or not. Almost anything is better than this place now.

Perception 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

"I didn't fully trust the halfling before. Money can motivate people to do most anything. But I didn't see any other options for us."

"In all the years I've lived around here I don't remember that column lighting up before. Why now? Others have sheltered here with no incident."

Sense Motive
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

"What have you two done?"

Fools and damned fools.

Obadiah also looks questioningly at the gnome and half elf...

"Afore I put my 'ead down I noticed damage to this cathedral of evil. Now it is gone. Which of you 'ealed this place?...(spits)...This machine. Tell us true - afore I pass judgement... for those who stand with machines - stand against!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Salvin scrambles over to his armor and starts to strap it into place.

"It looks like there's plenty to judge outside. Those constructs are back, and they aren't bothering to hide anymore. They're probably going to come in at some point. If anyone wants to speak up, now would be a good time!"

After this, I'm detecting everyone. It's just plain evil to rob a man of his sleep two nights in a row.

It will take Salvin one minute (ten rounds) to hastily don his armor. That will reduce the AC bonus by 1. If we aren't be attacked by then, he'll try to fiddle with the armor to get all the straps in place to get the full AC benefit. That will take another three minutes (30 rounds). He'll stop is an attack begins.

Gregory snorts.

"Please. The pillar was glowing when we came in. All that has changed is the color."

(True)

"Yes, I fixed the display, but only so I could try to understand the purpose of the device - I was leery of sleeping next to something that was glowing with energy and shedding heat."

(True)

"That was the right thing to do. The device spoke of 'dumping' energy in just over 8 hours, and I believe it would have done so in this very chamber, which would probably have killed us. All I did was to initiate a maintenance program to try and stop it from venting into our sleeping chamber."

(True)

"I did not tell you at first, because I was worried that you would just try to smash it, which I firmly believe would have had catastrophic results, given the energies involved!"

(True)

Gregory is doing his best to not lie ;-)

Salvin listens to Gregory as he straps on his armor.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

That totally sounds like something that would happen.

"Do you think those things outside are tied to this machine, then?"

Salvin ponders that very same question himself ...

Knowledge (engineering)1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

But he doesn't know.

Damrang begins to don his armor as well.

"Well lightin' off a muckin' great beacon did us no favors."

Damrangs accent seems to slip in and out, he's basically feeling a little overwhelmed and attempting to emulate the speech patterns around him. Thus the wild swings.

Foolishness, they don't warn us out of fear for our reaction, and we don't trust them because they don't trust us. Now we'll die without ever seeing that tower.

Vhailor nods gainfully as Gregory speaks as though he wholeheartedly agrees with his statements.

When Salvin speaks he perks up "What things - where are they? I didn't know we had visitors. Are they cog heady undead things or something else?" as he starts scanning the gloom.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Odol finally stirs awake, "Zzzzz...snort...cough...snort...uh." He gradually pulls himself together and looks around the room. "What in Torag's name is going on in here. We're trying to get to sleep and move on to the tower and what happens."

Upon hearing the others' explanations, he begins pulling back on his armor. "Well, it sounds like there is nothing to be done about it right now. Can we stop it? Or are those things coming now?"

Knowledge(Engineering) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

good to have you back Odol

Vhilor (and anyone else who he points them out to) sees about ten creatures waiting outside that look much like this

Salvin and Damrang both see that Gregory is telling the truth. Odol and Salvin, your engineering knowledge isn't enough to make any sense of the present situation.

Vhailor points out the creatures to all and sundry, then calls out to the strange creatues in common "Hello there, is this your home? What are you watching and waiting for?"

Obadiah scowls at the two tinkerers balefully before gathering his gear and shaking his head;

"If there was a threat to us as we slept, then per'haps we should not 'ave slept in this womb of mecromancy?! Engaging t'devil-tech in any way other than by blade or bow was not part of our charge..."

His eyes flash with anger and emotion;

"Aye i'd 'ave wrecked this place... Too many of our good folk 'ave died under t'pistons and fell cogs of these machines. So do not speak to me of catastophies Master Leichardt... We've 'ad our fill of them here in Iadenveigh..."

Gregory arches an eyebrow, and then scowls.

"You call it a womb of mecromancy, Damrang calls it a safe shelter; clearly, many citizen of your town," said with obvious distaste, "have sheltered here over the years, reaping the benefits of the location (although they were probably just lucky), so don't tell me your people have never benefited from technology."

Troublesome fools! The world would be better off if their town was scorched from the face of Golarion!

"I would, however, like to point out that as of yet, no-one has attacked anyone else, so we should probably try to keep it that way. I would rather not bring down the wrath of all of the inhabitants of the wreckage by destroying something that triggers a defensive protocol..."

Placing his small body firmly between Obadiah and the panel, Vhailor eyes him "Why should we not take advantage Mr Obadiah? Are you so superstitious to believe the metal is inhabited by evil spirits?"

"What you see here is a tool, it only becomes foul if used in foul ways. Much the same as your bow and arrows - which were as much perverted from their natural form to your betterment. Why should we not seek to master the machine and turn it against the tower?"

Wise words from the smallest of us. It is sometimes hard not to think of the gnomes as children, but Vhailor has probably seen more of the world than most of us.

Odol drags himself up to stand next to the tiny gnome.

"The little one is right. Obadiah, no doubt you have seen or heard of evil use of items as simple as a blade or bow. It is the bearer, not the item. At the same time, we must be careful. Just as one can easily cut oneself with a blade or accidentally shoot an ally with an arrow, I have no doubt we could do great harm to ourselves if we are not cautious here. "

Grinning innocently once more "Besides I'm pretty sure we haven't pressed any of the buttons that'll make it blow up... at least I think we haven't. We'll be fine"

Nodding his head enthusiastically though not entirely convincingly and setting his gaze on a toe that is absentmindedly boring a hole into the floor "Might get more interesting in a few minutes when I can't understand the writing no more, but baby steps... baby steps..."

Obadiah smiles weakly down at the gnome, his face bearing an expression of pity;

”Little Master, t’bow was a divine gift to us from Erastil… and is made from heartwood, sapwood with a ‘emp n’ flax drawstring. All natural, from t’world around us… unlike these infernal machines conjured from cruel minds and blacker ‘earts…”

Addressing the wider group the preacher’s voice turns steelier;

”I respect your thoughts and arguments lads, but please do not ask me to see worth in nor understand these mechanisations…. (glances at Damrang)…we 'ere have lost too much to forgive or to forget. So dabble in your fell tinkering, but I’ll ‘ave no part in it, nor pity you when t’cogs claim your souls!”

Vhailor shuffles over to the display and presses a button.

Damrang nods at Obadiah's pronouncement.

"You think us backwards and ignorant, but if machines took all you loved you'd hate them too. Once we're done with this business you can be on your way, never to see Iadenveigh again."

If they let us back in at all, now that we're tainted by this foul place.

You hear bangs and cracks coming from your improvised drawbridge. A glance out of it's suddenly-widening cracks shows that five of the small constructs are trying to force their way in. This is not the mindless attacks of the zombies, however - they're working together to pull it open far enough for one of them to get at the cables with a narrow silver blade that has sprung from it's arm. You have about two rounds before they get it open.

Giddy with excitement Vhailor blubbers "Let them come, they shouldn't hurt us..... I think...."

Salvin finishes putting on his armor as the door starts to be compromised.

At least they didn't all kill each other and everyone's allegiances seems to be out in the open now. I just hope we survive it."

Salvin nods as Vhailor speaks up.

"I won't attack them unless they attack me first. Now, everyone, clear a path! These things are getting in no matter what. Let's see if they are mere servants or defenders of this place."

Obadiah sneers and shakes his head again;

"Let them enter... they come in - I go out. I'll not bear t'company of these machines."

He gathers his gear, then bow in hand patiently waits to exit the dome.

I fear for the stability of our group. These people have faced terrible attacks, but the unwillingness to try to learn more. I cannot comprehend it.

Odol pulls on the rest of his armor and picks up his shield, waraxe readied in the other hand.

"Obadiah, they attack, we kill them. There may be worse out in the night. I do not wish to face a larger group of the zombies."

The five constructs pull the drawbridge down - the silver blade parts the thick cable with worrying ease - and swiftly clamber down into the chamber. They make their way to the column, skirting around any members of the party that happen to be in thier path.

At this point, Obadiah leaves. Obadiah, the rain has eased off outside but the chill night wind cuts into you. It briefly jerks you awake, then just makes you wish even more for your warm bed back home.

Meanwhile, inside the sphere, the constructs do not move to the control panel and start tinkering with it, nor do they take out tools and tend to the flickering machine. Instead they throw themselves at the structure and clasp onto it. They instantly begin to convulse, energy coursing over them and smoke billowing from their joints. For a couple of minutes they stay in place locked in what looks like agony until, one by one, they fall off and lie in ruined heaps. As the last 'drone' collapses the piller's humming fades to nothing and it's light becomes steady again, though dimmer.

Engrossed in the spectacle as it plays out, Vhailor doesn't move from his position and watches silently. After the last drone drops from the pillar "Well well, that wasn't what I expected..." before moving up to check the control panel and poke around the ruined heaps.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Knowledge (Engineering): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Damrang shakes his head at the actions of the constructs.

"You may call me a fool for hating these things, but I never saw a wagon take a horse's life to move on its own."

Salvin stares at the smoking pile of constructs with a mixture of shock and horror. He turns away when Damrang speaks about horses and wagons.

"I've never see the like either. What purpose did that serve? Why make such things only to destroy them? It seems like a waste of time."

Knowledge (engineering) for any insights 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Salvin looks outside to see if any more creatures are coming and to make sure Obadiah is alright.

Perception 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1

Maybe these people are right to hate these things. How can you reach and understanding with something so different?

Drawing up after his momentary inspection of the creatures "Well I'm certain that we should be ok for the rest of the night, I think the dumpy thing went into them.... fairly certain at least.... well mostly confident... You should try to get some sleep, Gregory and I are still ok to be on watch" smiling and occasionally glancing at Gregory to indicate that he has some things to talk about.

Obadiah allows the light rain to pepper his stoic face, his bow readied he looks out to the night;

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

T'Parables tell us that t'greatest oak was once a little nut who 'eld its ground... By the Elk Father I'll 'old my ground on this...

Gregory glances at the 'drones' in shock.

Well, that is certainly not what I was expecting...

Vhailor's words, however, manage to pull him out of it.

"Indeed. I would be perfectly happy to continue with the watch. Someone should go and get Obadiah though; at best, he will exhaust himself if he stays outside, or at worst, he will probably get himself killed by zombies before we can come to his aid..."

Salvin, after some moments searching you locate Obadiah standing right beside the enterance to the sphere

Odol yawns loudly, "That's good Vhailor. Hopefully there is nothing else to bother us this night. I could really use some sleep."

Odol sits back down on the floor, hoping that the excitement is done for the night and he can get some rest.

Salvin calls out to Obadiah.

"It seems the machine killed all the drones on its own and now things have gone back to the way they were."

There is still time for you to all talk amongst yourselves. However, I will tell you now that the rest of the night passes without incident. You take another twelve hours resting - the sun is quite high in the sky before you all emerge the next morning. The weather has cleared somewhat, though the sunlight does little to clear the northern chill. The is no sign of the drone-constructs. In the distance you can make out the edge of the forest. What's more, in the bright light you can see an unnatural smudge on the horizon - the cloud of the Choking Tower.

Your sleep has done you all good. Daily resources have reset and nobody is fatigued anymore.

Damrang sleeps fitfully, his dreams filled with glowing pillars and evil constructs.

"That is our destination," he says looking warily at the smoke. "A foul place, and the last place I would imagine going to willingly."

Waking from his sleep and stretching out, Vhailor is still full of the thrill from last night's activities. Better check the screeny thing before we head out Vhailor wanders over to the pillar and checks for anything new. Basically just want to see if it looks the same as when it shut down after the 'drone-dump'

Looking out towards the choking tower "Ooohh, that does look a bit drab doesn't it..."

Salvin looks out at the choking tower with the others. Vigor has returned to his body, but the sight of the place puts a drain on his spirit.

"Maybe today we'll finally get some answers and bring justice to those responsible for all this."