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Alpha's shield once again misses the swarm, even with Kharax pointing out weak points in the metal. Lewdon backs away from it as Richard begins to reel in his grapnal gun setting it up for another shot.
The screws nuts and bolts scrape and grind into Alpha once again creating a flurry of sparks.
Alpha (27/35)
Lewdon (36/45)
Richard (28/35)
Kharax (38/38)
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Monster (-37)
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Alpha keeps swatting the swarm.
Richard darts to the edge of the swarm and tries to distract it to aid Alpha's attack.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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With Lewdon and Kharax's assistance Alpha is able to locate the weak point in the metal. He raises his shield high into the air and brings it crashing down near the center of the mass. Small bits of shrapnel go flying in all directions as the Golem finally seems to stop moving.
After the noise of battle with the golem ceases a middle aged half-elf emerges from her workshop to the north. She has flowing long blond hair with a pair of goggles resting on top of her head and a trail of grease on her cheek.
She shakes her head in disappointment. Obviously I need to improve the thing's defenses. I am Dinvaya Lanalei. What is it you need? She narrows her eyes in suspicion as her hand rests on a hammer at her side.
Alpha (27/35)
Lewdon (36/45)
Richard (28/35)
Kharax (38/38)
Richard meets Dinvaya's suspicious gaze with one of his own.
"We have come on behalf of Joram Kyte. We announced ourselves multiple times. Did you not hear?"
Keeping his autograpnel ready, he reaches into his haversack with his free hand and retrieves the holy symbol Joram sent with them, and holds it up for the woman to see.
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Dinvaya sighs in relief as she releases her hand from her hammer. I thought you were the damned Technic League after me again.
She walks over and grasps the holy symbol with a smile. I haven't seen Joram in a long while. How is Joram doing? She asks as she seems to warm up a little.
What is it you need?
Kharax smiles as tensions drop. "A friend fer starts! There a safer place to talk?"
"Joram is well." Richard begins once the group is safe in the workshop. "He said to tell you that the Technic League has turned their attention away from you."
"As for why we are here, let me tell you a story." Richard takes out his mandolin, gives it a quick tuning, and recites the song he wrote "Duellio Machina".
On Black Hill perched the town of Torch. A town of ancient buried lore. Burning flames had birthed its name, Heating forges for sky-found ore.
But when the flames went out one day,
A group of Four went down,
To delve the mysteries below the Hill,
And save the dying town...
His song continues, telling the tale of the quest into Black Hill, the discoveries found there, the battle against Hellion's minions, and the relighting of the Flame of Torch. When he is done, he introduces himself and his companions, and explains why they have come to Scrapwall.
"...so a priestess of Hellion, named Meyanda, was diverting power from the ruins of an underground tech structure in Torch and sending it here, likely to the Lords of Rust. We were sent to look into it and prevent future problems."
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Dinvaya smiles Well, maybe I can help you with that. You all are welcome to use this chapel to rest whenever you need it. You will find no trouble here. It's not particularly comfortable but I think I might be able to patch up your wounds for no charge while you investigate the Lords of Rust.
She leans on her workbench causing tools to shift about. I've seen dozens of gangs come and go through here but he Lords of Rust have me a bit concerned. Primarily because they seem to have such faith in a faceless entity that calls himself Hellion. He seems to give his priests the ability to cast divine magic somehow, which tells me that some greater force is at work here.
She shakes her head. The idea of an actual god dwelling within Scrapwall has occurred but the possibility just seems outlandish does it not?
Anyway I have heard that Hellions high priestess ad gone missing. It seems you must have taken care of her. I knew they were siphoning power from somewhere distance but didn't know quite where. They were gathering the power at the receiving array on the far side of Scrapwall. Maybe you should check it out before you go waltzing up to their front door? You might find out what exactly they are up to.
I hear you have been making a bit of a name for yourselves around here since you arrived. You get enough scrap-worth, it'll only be a matter of time before the Lords of Rust take notice of you and invite you to take part in the Scrapmaster's Arena. That might be your best bet.
"Thanks fer the offer!", Kharax cheers. "It seems like we got two choices then, fellas; we can investigate the array thingy and see what's goin' on wit dat, or we can just keep on takin' out gangs and get famous enough to get a bit of an invite."
Kharax ponders it for a moment, "Although if we do go bustin' heads, probably should check with Sevroth again for more info."
"Investigating would be the logical choice. Though there is a simple logic to pummeling enough people for notoriety. I am neutral on this and will go with what all of you decide."
"We may need to rough up more locals, but I think we should check out that array first. If we can figure out what's going on, and get that information back to Torch, then we will have at least accomplished something in the event that the locals get the better of us."
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Leaving the chapel you begin the journey back through the maze of junk and rubble towards the Antenna Array in the northeast. Shortly after leaving you round a corner in between the Redtooth and Smiler territory. Emerging from the rubble out of small dark corners you are quickly surrounded by a group of ten ratfolk clad in all manner of weaponry and leathers. One approaches as she pulls back her cowl.
In a low sweet voice she whispers. Come with us. Redtooth wishes to speak with you.
Richard considers the small ratfolk, thinking back on the information given them by Sevroth.
Redtooth Raiders, ratfolk tribe,
Once the Second, but now cast aside...
Glancing around at the gang, he says casually to his companions, "We could increase our scrapworth with their hides, but I think we should see what Redtooth has to offer first."
"Fair thought.", Kharax whispers back.
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The ratfolk lead you through a hidden maze as you soon reach what must surely be Redtooth's Warren. The tunnels are only 4 feet in height so you have to stoop down to get inside. Rustling through the junk seem to be an endless amount of dire rats. With a bit of chattering from the guards the rats back away and keep their distance from you within the cramped and confined tunnels.
One your way through one of the tunnels overhead you are able to see through the cracks into a room below. Inside you see an insect like monster skittering about on four legs. It seems to have a strange propeller shaped protrusion at the end of its tail and two long feathery antennae.
Soon the long winding tunnel ends inside of another makeshift throne room out of junk! The throne seems to be the only feature within the room as four more ratfolk stand guard here. Sitting on the throne is a female blond haired ratfolk. He fur is braided in a set of pigtails wrapped behind her ears.
Welcome. I am Redtooth. I am glad that you decided to come. She leans back.
I am beginning to grow quite desperate and it seems you are beginning to make a name for yourselves. You see. I was born here in Scrapwall. This is my home. I have watched many gangs come and go. They have all been fleeting distractions and troublemakers at worst. The Redtooths used to be law around here. Used to be feared. That is until the Lords of Rust rose up. I recently had a mass defection of my raiders and my tribes scrap-worth has fallen to unprecedented levels. Much to the point that the unthinkable has happened. The bastard Smilers have called war down upon us and I will not stand for it. She says slapping her paw down on the rusted metal. A small bit of red dust rises into the stagnant air.
Between the defectors joining the Lords of Rust and the new aggression from the Smilers we have been forced into a more defensive role, only being able to leave to scavenge for food and supplies. This is where I hope you will come in. Recently the Smilers have dealt a devastating blow as they have captured by brother Whiskifiss. She says with a low hiss. Not only was he my kin but he had a skill with handling our 'pets' who are beginning to become quite unruly.
She sighs. At this rate we will not last much longer. I am planning one final strike against the Lords of Rust though I am not sure. My initial plan was to unleash my Rust Monsters on the Scrapmasters Arena and let the collapse the whole damn thing but the loss of my brother and the Smilers killing all but one has put me at a loss and I must consider more desperate options.
Alpha blinks his optics and keeps his distance as he recognizes the creature. "Unleashing those things would be unwise."
Richard reconizes the monster in the chamber below as they pass.
Well that is interesting.. and disconcerting. Are they keeping it like a pet?
***
The meeting with Redtooth proves worth the risk, and though the ratfolk leader has all but asked for their help to rescue her brother, in Richard's mind the rescue of Whiskifiss could be vital to furthering their own goals in Scrapwall. It takes little to imagine the trouble some of these 'pets' could cause, and how they could aid their mission, if given the right direction.
Still, we cannot appear too eager.
"I assume you want us to rescue Wiskifiss." Richard says. "What's in it for us?"
"So the deal is, we cripple the Smilers, save your brotha, and in return, you'll help us in dealin with them Lords of Rust... by using a rust monsta.", Kharax chuckles. "I sorta like the irony of that; that is irony, right?"
Richard chuckles at Kharax and resists a common android instinct to correct him.
I think it is more accurately a funny coincidence, but being literal is Alpha's job, and I wouldn't want to deny it of him.
To the Redtooth, "Tell us what you know about where your brother is and what we will have to deal with to rescue him."
"We aren't scared." Not as scared as you are. "We will handle this."
To Lewdon, "We've already taken down more than a few Smilers, so it's probably best to keep at them before they decide to come after us."
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With seemingly little else to discuss the group gathers their belongings and head back north towards the Smiler compound.
The ridge of refuse and junk is sheer here, like the face of a cliff. A gray metal wall sits at the base of the cliff, with a sizable metallic deck protruding south from its surface. This open air deck is sheltered by a ragged awning of furs and scrap. Metallic double doors sit in the center of the metal wall, and above these doors protrudes a metallic armature of some sort with what appears to be a tube shaped device fitted with a red crystal extending from the tip. A few scorch marks mar the deck's surface here and there.
"That looks a little ominous." Richard points to the crystal-tipped tube and scorch marks across the deck. "Let's proceed carefully here."
Richard casts a spell to detect magic, then dons and tries to activate his Veemod goggles to help him better observe the area for traps and ambushes. The item doesn't immediately respond and takes a few seconds to power up, but then works normally.
Taking out his thieve's tools Richard looks under the deck for a way to disable the laser.
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Richard moves closer and notices that it is a small robotic arm holding the rifle in place. Reaching up he attempts to grasp at the wires powering the rifle but has difficulty even with standing on his toes.
Placing one foot to get a couple extra inches the rifle quickly spins down and fires twice at Richard as he is unable to disarm the rifle on his first go.
The bolts of fire tear right through his armor. Grunting in pain Richard leaps up, grabbing ahold of the wires and yanks them free, killing the power to the rifle.
Catching his breath Richard looks the trap over once again and believes he can detach the rifle for use.
Alpha (35/35)
Lewdon (45/45)
Richard (18/35)
Kharax (38/38)
Wincing from laser burns, Richard carefully removes the rifle from its arm and stows it in his haversack. Returning to the group, he asks Kharax, "I could use my magic, but would prefer to keep it in reserve. How many charges does that healing wand have?"
"I just realized.." Richard says, reaching into his haversack, "We found this hypogun a while back. Let me try it out."
"That works surprisingly well. Good enough to move on. I'd suggest arming yourselves."
Dragon pistol in hand, Richard approaches the door and listens, then opens it.
"Well, guess we got a new toy, although don't try taking it to face next time.", Kharax teases.
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Richard quickly Realizes that the doors are not locked but seem to be shut with a wrapped chain on the opposite side. Grabbing a blade Richard is able to pry it through the crack in the door enough to disengage the chain and knock it loose off of its rail.
Old wooden benches line the west and east walls of this large room. Two ruined metal tables sit in the center of the room, while a nook to the north is set off by a countertop strewn with bones and bits of junk. Two grisly chandeliers, made out of hanging bundles of skulls and bones, illuminate the room with flickering yellow flame.
Stepping out from behind the counter to see why the chain was knocked loose and the door opening stands a particular brutish member of the Smilers, a hulking, barbaric ogrekin. He holds a wicked looking greatclub made from wood spikes lashed to a large gear. His chest and face look to be a canvas of bullet hole scars as it droops slightly.
Gunshy's eyes go wide as he sees Richards dragon pistol.
Seeing you are not a Smiler he slams his greatclub onto the counertop, cracking it as he roars in defiance. In a rage he begins to charge at Richard wielding his dragon pistol.
Alpha
Kharax
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Gunshy
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Richard (33/35)
Lewdon
Alpha moves forward, charging his shield with energy.
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Alpha rushes towards the enraged ogrekin as his shield begins to crackle with the electricity emanating from within Alpha. He slams his shiled right into the Ogrekin's nose, breaking it further causing a stream of steady blood to flow from it's face.
Gunshy pays little mind in his focused rage as he charges at Richard and attempts to sunder his firearm.
Get away from me with that!
Alpha
Kharax
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Gunshy
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Richard (33/35)
Lewdon
"Blood and rust!" He Richard exclaims when his dragon pistol flies across the room in pieces from the smiler's attack.
Well at least he wasn't aiming for my head!
The thug's reaction, however, gives him an idea. Stepping back he casts a spell and a dwarf slips in through the door armed with a big, double-barreled scattergun!
He then moves to follow.
Kharax casts mage armor on himself before entering the room near a wall.
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Surprised by his gun shattering to pieces in his hands Richard steps back and quickly conjures an image of more companions entereing the door with firearms. Gunshy roars in fury as he sets his sights in the gun-toting dwarf.
As the ogrekin rushes past Alpha gets another clean blow in, nearly taking the giants head off with his shield as he clips the edge of it against its neck. Taking off after the raging giant, Alpha has a difficult time getting in a decent blow as Richards pistol sends shrapnel flying all about.
Kharax bolsters his defenses as he enters the fray.
Alpha
Kharax
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Gunshy (-34)
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Richard (33/35)
Lewdon
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Lewdon pushes through the far set of double doors, drawing his flail. Moving beside Alpha he swings his flail at the Ogrekin's backside.
His flail crunches into the deformed giant's shoulder, shattering bone underneath.
Gunshy's tunnel vision seems focused on Richard's illusion as he attempts to sunder the weapon along with the pistol.
Gunshy smiles as he looks to have also broken the dwarf's wieldy firearm.
Fools think they can shoot at me!
Alpha
Kharax
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Gunshy (-46)
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Richard (33/35)
Lewdon
Alpha strikes at the giant again.
Richard continues to concentrate on his illusion...
The dwarf looks at his broken scattergun in silent awe for a second before reaching under his cloak for his backup coat pistol!