As Cade opened and held the door for them and he gave her a friendly wink, Dejah smiled, gnawing a little on her full bottom lip.
She answered Cade's question, "We need to make a visit to the General Store and then to Tempting Tonics."
Dejah then gave directions and set to walking in front.
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Leaving the clicking and oily clockwork angels of the Temple of Brigh behind, the party sets out down the streets of Torch to purchase supplies.
As they move down the street to where Tempting Tonics & the General Store are located, they hear a piercing "EEEEK!" coming from the Foundry Tavern.
It sounds like Val's voice!
Dejah heard the shout coming from the Foundry and turned to the others, "We need to see to Val" and with that she rushed toward Khonnir's tavern, the purchases momentarily forgotten.
Cade pulls the large hammer off of his back as he chases after Dejah.
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After saying their goodbyes for the time being, Tabitha follows along with the rest of the group. She knows she have enough gold to buy a Scroll Box and a waterproof bag for the trip, but not for anything else. But on the way, she, as well as the others hear a shriek coming from the way of the Foundry Tavern.
Tabitha gasps as she hears the shriek. "Val!" Tabitha rushes along with the others, pulling out a dagger along the way.
Viorec made his farewells to the father and his follower before following after the rest of the group. Since they seemed to know the local area much better then himself. With the scream all of that changed Viorec began to run towards the source of the commotion at his full speed the rapier at his side pulled from its scabbard on the way towards the Tavern.
Hustling to the Foundry, the party reaches the workshop in time to see a mechanical arm punch its way through a window with a loud *CRASH!* The arm withdraws back into the building with a loud *WHIRR* followed by several high-pitched *beep-beep-beeps*. A large hole appears in the workshop wall where the window used to be.
The robotic creature in the window is 5 feet tall, and appears to be made of some sort of grey & black metal. Three spiderlike legs make up its lower torso, and its two arms have segmented hands that have exposed wiring. A solid blue eye makes up its 'head', with four mechanical arms sticking out of it.
Val can be seen cowering under a desk in the room.
Cade moves up to the mechanical monster and growls in rage. He swings his hammer at the abomination. "Leave the lady alone!"
Caedmon's hammer comes right down on the robot's head, smashing it into slag. Glass rains down on the floor as the robot wobbles for a second with sparks flying from its ruined head before it topples over.
Val peeks out from under the desk. "Holy..."
Cade puts his hand on the wall and leans against it. He works to slow his breathing. He loathed his temper and was embarrassed that the machine had gotten the best of him. He looks around at his companions. "I am sorry. I have had bad experiences with machines in the past and..." He looks over to Val. "I would not be able to live with myself had it hurt her or..." He returns his gaze to his companions, pausing finally on Dejah's mismatched eyes "any of you".
He returns the hammer to his back and steps aside to let one of the others help Val up.
Dejah moved to the workshop doorway and looked upon the broken parts of the once spider-robot-creature.
Seeing Val peek out from the desk, and, catching Cade's look, the Changeling did not break the look and simply stated, "If it was here to hurt Val, then you have nothing to apologise for. Well done."
Still, Dejah wondered about the look cast on her by Cade.
She was at a loss to explain if it had any significance and so she brushed it aside. Her father, when he was alive, complained that she missed seeing the true motives of people, more often than not.
Moving into the workshop, Dejah walked to the demolished robot and carefully picked at the mechanical pieces, hoping to determine what manner of machine it was and the material it was made from (black and grey metal).
Looking to Val, she asked the wizard's daughter, "Have you been bothered by It before today?"
Val creeps out from under the desk, spies Tabitha, and runs over to hug her.
"Oh, thank Brigh you guys came by--I just finished putting that robot back together and turned it back on when it started wrecking the workshop! I thought it was going to attack me next!" She babbles into Tabitha's robes.
"Have you been bothered by It before today?"
Val looks up at Dejah, her face pale under the layer of dirt on her face. "No, this was the first time I put it together. And it looks like it's also the last time."
Her face lights up. "Hey, hold on a minute--did you find out why Dad's taking so long to come home?"
"If it was here to hurt Val, then you have nothing to apologise for. Well done."
Cade gets a look of relief on his face at Dejah's words. He moves up behind her and peers over her shoulder.
"You put this repair drone together? I think you are missing some key components for it attacked rather than repaired. The hands appear to be missing several of the tools necessary to perform repairs." Dejah's steady, matter-of-fact voice filled the room. She felt Cade's proximity over her head and listened to his learned counsel. The warrior was indeed very tall and helpful.
At Val's hopeful expression as to them finding out what happened to her father, Dejah merely responded, "We are undertaking a sanctioned expedition beneath Black Hill in hopes of discovering your father's whereabouts and bringing him home. Councilwoman Freddert, Father Kyte and his acolyte Sarona have been helpful. We were on our way to purchase supplies when we heard your scream."
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When they got to the Foundry Tavern, Tabitha saw the robot breaking down a wall. Interest was short lived as she saw Caedmon run up and smash its head in. Wow I wonder.... *SMASH* ...What ever it was, it didn't stand a chance!
Tabitha walks up to the opening and looks around. She is grateful that the robot did not harm Val at all. She also feel slightly better too due to the robot did more damage than her little experiment yesterday. And when Dejah mentions what is happening, Tabitha interjects right after. "Master Khonnir must have just misplaced himself. We're going to find him and remind him that he has been gone a few days, and bring him back. So it wont be a problem!" Tabitha smiles softly towards Val.
Tabitha is trying to make Val not worry as much since the group will be looking for Khonnir.
Having listened to Tabitha as she seemed to make less of the gravity of Khonnir's disappearance, Dejah surprisingly picked up on the girl's feint and did not contradict her in front of Val. Dejah did not believe in giving false hope but then she really was not versed in/inclined to shielding people from the truth.
Val looks up at Tabitha and sniffs. "So you're going to look for him? Like, maybe he just got wrapped up in exploring under the town and forgot about everyone else?"
"You put this repair drone together? I think you are missing some key components for it attacked rather than repaired. The hands appear to be missing several of the tools necessary to perform repairs."
Val shakes her head. "I didn't build that robot--Dad brought it back from his first trip under the town. I just wanted to see if I could reactivate it... maybe I could have had it help me clean up the workshop after I'm done with it."
"Although that WOULD explain why the drone went crazy after I turned it back on... maybe it was trying to fulfill its original purpose without any of the tools it once had."
"We are undertaking a sanctioned expedition beneath Black Hill in hopes of discovering your father's whereabouts and bringing him home. Councilwoman Freddert, Father Kyte and his acolyte Sarona have been helpful. We were on our way to purchase supplies when we heard your scream."
Val's eyes light up. "Really? Thank Brigh... well, when are we setting out?"
Being only a moment behind the large barbarian Viorec is brought up short when the mechanical menace is put down with a single hit. You certainly pack a mean swing Cade. With the trouble ended Viorec puts away his sword. I am glad to see that you are unharmed Val.
Viorec listens to Tabitha explanation of things and contemplates offering a more realistic description to Val but decides against the coarse after considering the two women's relationship.
"You certainly pack a mean swing Cade."
"Thanks." Cade gives Viorec a grin. "I did kind of smash it good...didn't I?"
Val's eyes light up. "Really? Thank Brigh... well, when are we setting out?"
Dejah turned toward the wizard's daughter. "Do you mean to join us, Val?"
Val nods vigourously. "Of course. My Dad's down there! I need to bring him home!"
She folds her arms and plants her feet on the ground.
The stubborn posturing was not missed by Dejah and inwardly the Changeling sighed because if they did come across a dead Khonnir then Tabitha would be caught out in a lie ... and she wondered how Val would react.
Dejah gave a definitive nod and returned, "I understand. You are welcome to join us."
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"Err... We will do our best to look out for you too. Tabitha thinks we need to keep our eyes wide open while we are down there. We don't know what we will find other than Master Khonnir. Might find more complete versions of... Mr Handy there too." Tabitha smiles slightly in a pained way. Then she shakes her head. "Tabi- I will need to prepare my spells for tomorrow from what we learned today. There will be brown mold when we get down there, so I gotta prepare a Ray of Frost spell for it."
Viorec nods his head smiling at Val. I applaud your determination Val. You also should be prepared to defend yourself we know of at least one hostile group of creatures and there may be more down there. We will do all we can to protect you of coarse but you should be ready for the worst possible outcome. looking around the smashed up room. I could try to put some of this back together it certainly looks the worse for ware. We should at least patch where the mechanized creature smashed through to the outside.
Val nods enthusiastically. "Alright--it's settled then! Don't worry about me--I know my way around a robot or two!"
"I could try to put some of this back together it certainly looks the worse for wear. We should at least patch where the mechanized creature smashed through to the outside."
Val looks over at the hole where the workshop's window used to be, then down at the destroyed robot. "That would be a good idea, yeah. But that can probably wait until you guys have finished getting your supplies together."
She turns to the party. "If you still need a place to crash, like to prep magic or anything like that, I'll keep the rooms here tidy for ya."
Speaking of supplies, I can add maybe 50 gold to help buy the things we need.
After the party returns to the city hall for an advance on their reward ("Well, bless me for being a fool if I didn't realize you needed more funds before you made the attempt..." Dolga said with a shake of her head), the party sets out to get their supplies together for the trip.
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After saying thanks to the Mayor, she will go with the group around town to buy what she feels is needed for the expedition. She will purchase a Scroll Box to store scrolls and her spellbook into it. And she will also buy a waterproof bag to put her other equipment into it to prevent it being ruined by the water. After the purchasing of equipment, she will head out on her own to ask around for directions to a scribe shop or a shop that will sell scrolls or maybe be able to scribe a couple of spells from their spellbook. "Excuse me, I am looking for a place to buy magic scrolls. Do you happen to know of a place?"
When she tries to ask for directions, she gets a prompt send off from an angry person with colorful language. She mumbles to herself. "Er... Tabitha didn't do well." Tabitha frowns slightly when she heads back to the Foundry Tavern.
Viorec puts 40 of the gold to use in a antitoxin but is unsure on what else to pick up. When Tabitha comes back empty handed. Viorec slips an arm in the young woman's own. Lets go find someone willing to be helpful Tabitha. Viorec walks through town with Tabitha trying to find a shop that meets her needs.
The townspeople of Torch are more inclined to give Viorec directions than they are to Tabitha--thanks to a natural charm that would make the Lucky Drunk proud, the duo are directed to a stall in the Market Square.
The market is trying its best to be busy today, but the pall of dread brought on by the extinguished Torch seems to be even heavier than it is elsewhere in town. Weaving through the crowds, the pair reaches a well-built stall crafted from equal amounts of oak wood & obsidian. Standing behind the stall's counter is a dark-haired, brown-eyed man dressed in a blue chain shirt, looking bored.
When he sees the two of them approach, his eyes light up and his demeanour shifts entirely. "Ah, customers coming to ol' Sanvil's Sundries, eh? In the market for wonders mechanical or arts magical? I assure you, ol' Sanvil Trett's got what you need, and more." He says, his tone clearly trying to be a blend of inviting and cheery.
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Tabitha is a bit surprised by Viorec's assistance. When he hooks one of her arms and leads her out to look for a shop, Tabitha shudders. "Eh! Tabi-Tabitha..." She calms down before resigning to the assistance. "...Okay, Tabitha will be happy with your help."
Following Viorec, they made their way to a stall within the Market Square. Wow, I haven't been here before. Oh, I wonder what they are selling. Or maybe him. Maybe that is the place. Tabitha walks along and when they get to the stall, Tabitha looks around the stall to see what kinds of items he is selling. Wow, lots of stuff. Oh, even some technology too! Wow! Tabitha walks up to the counter to speak with the man. "Hello. I am here looking to see about if I might be able to scribe a spell or two into my spellbook? Do you offer that service, or do you sell scrolls?" She asks Mr Trett nicely.
Sanvil looks Tabitha over as she approaches the stall and listens to her.
"If ya need scrolls and the like, I'd be more than happy to sell 'em to ya. I don't think you'd get much use out of my spellbook." Sanvil leans back and gestures to a rack of scrolls behind him.
"What are ya lookin' for?"
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Tabitha ponders a bit, rubbing her chin. "Erm... Well, what abjuration scrolls do you happen to have? Or transmutation. Those two schools are ones Tabi-I am looking for." She sighs before continuing. "Though I have to say I don't think I have enough for a single scroll... Unless." Tabitha digs in her pocket for the writ. "Will you allow a discount for someone that is working in the interest of Torch? This writ came from the Mayor for assisting the town." She shows the writ to Mr Trett. "Here it is, will you allow it?"
Sanvil takes a closer look at the writ Tabitha produces.
"...20% discount." He shrugs. "I can certainly accommodate that."
"As for abjuration or transmutation, I'm afraid I don't have anything relating to abjuration." The merchant shrugs and looks back at the many technological wonders decorating one side of his stall. "Transmutation, on the other hand?" He smiles and looks over at the scroll rack before walking over to it. "I've got a scroll of bull's strength and a scroll of magic weapon available for purchase."
He takes two scrolls and brings them to the counter. "Which one are you interested in?"
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Tabitha looks over both of the scrolls. Hm, I'd like that scroll of Bull's Strength, but I know that is considered a Second Rank spell. But the scroll of Magic weapon is a First Rank spell, much more within my budget, so I will go for that. I can cast it on either Viorec or Caedmon's weapons. Yeah, lets go with that one.
She points to the scroll of Magic Weapon. I'll Take the scroll of Magic Weapon. How much for it?"
Sanvil smirks. "Good choice--a sensible spell for when a mage needs to give her bodyguard--" He gives Viorec a brief glance and wink. "--that little bit of extra 'oomph' he needs to get things done."
"With 20% off, it works out to 20 gold pieces."
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Tabitha smiles when she hears the price. "I'll take it." She pulls out 20 gold pieces and hands them to Mr Trett. She will pocket the writ and the scroll. I hope I have enough time to scribe it into my spellbook. She looks around the stall one last time before leaving, but before she does, Tabitha wonders if he might be willing to buy what they might find down there. Um. I was wondering, do you happen to buy technology items as well? Our trek will be going under the hill to find out why the signature Torch of Torch has went out. We may find some items, will you be willing to look at them to figure out what they might be?"
Viorec remained fairly quiet and took only a mild interest in the shop as its contents seemed to be mostly beyond his understanding. Though he had to smile slightly at the mention of being Tabitha's body guard.
Sanvil's eyes light up with interest when Tabitha mentions they're going under the Black Hill. "Oh, definitely. Go ahead and bring any tech items you find back to me, and I'll pay ya a suitable finder's fee. I'll even see if I can't ID some of 'em for ya."
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Tabitha smiles at Mr Trett before leaving. "Thank you Mr Trett. I'll make sure to talk to the rest of the group about bring you items we find. May you have a wonderful day!" Tabitha will head out of the stall, and will walk with Viorec back to the Foundry Tavern to explain the good news! Or for any shopping he needs to do.