Nashara |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Nashara stands vigil over the bllind, keeping an eye out for the scouts to return, and also for trouble! Her prayers continue and she offers food and water from her own stores to those hunkered down in the passageway.
Paranoia Perception roll lol...: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 = 19
Askra Taw |
Ask just smiles again at Val's derision. As Jean passes on information Ask winces at the loud noise.
Some stealth operation. Likely it won't matter...
Aks looks at Val, and remembers the odd creature at the Baine house.
"What is an awtommatonn anyway? That monster we...smashed at your house?"
Jean Antonio |
Jean's eyes open wide as she sees the strange set of items. Picking it up gently from Kaad's hand, she says "Silverdiscs? Let me see..."
Knowledge (Arcana/Engineering/Local) w/ Technologist feat: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
TheRiverOcean |
Val looks over in Askra's direction. Subtly moving out of head-kissing range of Nashara, though still touching her armor.
"You mean the automaton that was present when you smashed my house? It's A-TOM-A-TAWN. Its a sort of... living metal creature. Something created it and then gave it life. Are you religious Askra?"
Palomia Kasic |
"A-tom-a-tawn, huh? It almost sounds like...like a construct. Like a metal golem, but not powered by magic since you said that they're alive...any ideas on what, exactly, gave them life?" Palomia asks, curious despite herself. "And Kaad found something? Silverdis-OOF! Dammit Relas I already can't see, are you trying to finish me off? Be careful where you sit!"
Jean Antonio |
"Huh... these are actually some sort of containers for energy. Electrical energy that is. They don't have anything in them right now, but they're rare enough that people use them for bartering. I'm not sure what they're worth these days though..." says Jean as she waves the silverdics.
Appraise (untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Jean turns to Paloma and replies "Usually they work off an energy source like these silverdiscs. There are variants with larger capacities though. However, these are thought to be long depleted..."
Which is why Val probably thought it was safe to tinker with the three-legged automaton from before. What's happening here???
Nashara |
"Welcome back, glad you're all safe. Don't think I've ever seen one of those before. Automaton is a word I heard traveling here but before the one we smashed I was unfamiliar with those as well they are an un-naturally created life form? Like a golem? Are they possessed by demons or being used as a way to subvert the natural order of things? Dark Lady what have we stumbled into?" Nashara says half dumbfoundedly and half in awe.
Oh my...
TheRiverOcean |
"You found some silverdisks? They're worth about 10 gold in Torch and most other places these days. But, Hmm... if there are Numerian artifacts in that direction then Khonnir would have travelled that way. Jean can you lead us to where you found them? You, Kaad, and Relas can scout again from there." Val says from next to Nashara.
"We don't really know how they're alive Nashara. I don't think they're necessarily subverting the natural order of life though... I like to think of them as loyal pets. You should talk to Khonnir about it once we find him."
Kaad |
Kaad looks at Val transfixed. She was not turning out to be the sweet and innocent victim he had sought to protect. He admired her spunk, but was equally struggling with such empowerment. It was in these times of confusion that he often made dim-witted comments like the one he was about to make.
I like to think of them as target practice. he says in response to Val's description of automatons.
Askra Taw |
Askra repies curtly with a sidelong glance at Nashara.
"Religion is for the weak. I believe in that which I can see. The Flame. Which has... disappeared...." the young Kellid trails off before murmuring again...
"Sorry Nash..." with an embarrassed shrug...
Nashara |
"No offense taken, if not for the fact that I was raised by my church and had walked a different path I might be the one saying those words, wincing at my verbal slip while trying to avoid the gaze of the well-meaning but naive holy-man who had been spouting prayers since we set foot into somewhere dark and scary. If there is one thing I have learned devoting myself to my god and the service is this; one does not require any love given to give it freely of yourself." the large priestess says kindly, with only the tiniest twinge of sadness lacing the words. She says another prayer, relighting her frog-gore stained great-sword.
"I'll gladly resume point or stand second or third back, whatever the community decides to be optimal."
Askra Taw |
"Not leaving you at the back defenceless Jean - I'll take rearguard, but if we encounter more foes at the front you get out of my way quick. I want to chop more than timber or air!"
TheRiverOcean |
"Target practice?" Val says to Kaad with an eyebrow raised "Unnecessary violence and destruction is a hallmark of the Technic League. You would do well in Starfall.
Anyway no I can't quite see yet. But I'm okay to press on. And yes, I agree we can all learn a thing or two from this. About the nature of religion in Numeria, and the purpose of Numerian artifacts."
Moving along, Kaad is in front, followed by Nashara and Relas. Val has a hand on Nashara for guidance while blind. Jean brings up the rear and the rest are in the middle.
Most of party moves through the narrow cave with the light from Nashara's blade. They reach a room of rubble and strange drawing on the wall. It is here that Kaad discovered the Silverdisks. There are two passages, one to the Southeast, and another to the Southwest.
Askra Taw |
Just clarifying - Ask is taking rearguard - not leaving squishy caster defenseless if we are ambushed from behind…;p
[earlier]
Ask looks quizzically at the big priestess, not really understanding the words, but thinking perhaps she understands the idea.
"Thanks for understanding Nash. I just want the Flame back…"
[now]
Picking her way through the rubble, and craning her neck to the side, Ask looks at the rough drawings on the walls.
"Jean - I don't think these four armed things are atommatawns like the other thing - they look more like….well I don't know what. But not con-strux. Flesh perhaps - look - they are skinny and…not built-looking…"
Jean Antonio |
"Yes, me too. But y'know, having four arms does not necessarily mean it's meant for battle. Maybe it's built for assisting with multiple tasks like washing the dishes while cooking." Jean responds to Askra with a shrug.
Jean points at the two passages as she bends down a bit to talk to Relas "Can you find out which direction was used just recently? You look like one with a pretty good nose for such things."
Nashara |
Nashara takes her place dutifully after nodding understandingly towards Akra. She then looks Kaad.
"What is this League?" she asks the tiefling, I'm petty new here and I've heard of them but very little, and judging by the way you feel about them I'd like to know more. You can give me the grit of it here since we're working but later I'd like to know more. If that's ok?" she says, a look of curiosity, confusion, and concern mix on her face.
If we, you mean. No, stop that Nash. We. Will. Survive.
Great Sword a'light Nashara continues onward with the others - reciting her now familiar prayers and keeping her eyes peeled for danger until Jean calls a halt.
Perception, Guided: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18
Askra Taw |
Askra looks quizzically at Jean.
Perhaps the mekanically-minded girl sees built things everywhere…
"No Jean. I am saying the four armed things do not look built at all. No dishes. No cooking. Killing perhaps. It looked like it was a drawing of a creature. Alive, not construkt."
As Kaad comments on the Technic League, Askra provides some blunt insight.
"Tell us how you really feel Kaad. But he's right. Bastards. The lot of them. One of them laughed when my father died, and weren't interested in nowt but where the taxes were after. Bastards."
Jean Antonio |
Jean's eyes open wide as she realizes what Askra meant "You mean some kind of mutant or monster? I don't think I've seen anything like that except for some vague description in some books."
(O_O)
"I know the Technic League are practically professional bullies, but very powerful and influential. I would like to focus on looking for Khonnir though..."
Jean looks over the two passage ways, looking for clues on which way to proceed.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Relas |
Relas blinks up at Jean with some degree of confusion. "Um...I know I look like an animal but I'm not...I guess actual panthers are able to follow tracks? Not sure how much help I'll be, but I'm certainly willing to give it a try!"
Relas scans around the entrance to the two passages, looking for any signs or clues as to which way Khonnir or anyone else might have gone recently.
Survival (Tracking): 1d20 ⇒ 19
Palomia Kasic |
"A four-armed creature? I...don't think I've ever heard of anything like that! Could they have built these artifacts that are scattered around Numeria?" Palomia wonders. "And as for the Technic League...well, every other nation I've heard of seems to have one group or another that's nothing more than a blight on the landscape. If there's power to be had, someone or someones will always make a grab for it," she sighs.
TheRiverOcean |
"In recent history Numeria was brought together under a fierce and powerful warrior. Him and his army laid siege to Starfall, home of the Technic League, and demanded they bow to him. They gave up without a fight and welcomed him as ruler. He hasn't left the city in years. His once powerful army has grown fat and lazy on the backs of slaves. The Technic League constantly offers him gifts and luxury, in return, they do most of his bidding. In other words, Numeria's ruler is just a figure head now. The Technic League is the most powerful force in the region and they run everything from taxes to laws, even farming and populations are regulated by them. Most importantly, they have a monopoly on all Numerian relics.
... and yes, they're all bastards."
To the Southeast the cavern tunnel opens up into a much larger cavern with a 30 foot high ceiling. There is a glint of something large and metallic on the far wall of the spacious cave.
To the Southeast there is a larger group of footprints and at least three sets seem to have returned this way. One set leads to the tunnel in the Southwest.
After hearing Relas relay the information:
"Kaad, Relas, we should head into the Southeastern cavern. Khonnir's group would have gone that way by the looks of it. Askra, Jean, keep and eye on that Southwestern cave. I get the feeling something's gonna try to surprise us from the rear."
Jean Antonio |
Glinting metal catches the eyes of Jean and piques her curiosity. She points to the Southest entrance and says "Guys, let's check out the cavern over there first. There's something metallic there that might provide a clue."
... and I don't like the cold too much. I might look like a ghost if I get any paler.
Askra Taw |
Seeing Jean indicate the opposite room to that suggested by Val, Askra quips:
"Well, Val, very sorry, but it seems you'll have a hard time keeping Jean away from more "discovering"..."
as she tightens her grip on her greatblade. Nevertheless, she moves to watch the southwestern chamber - less interested in shiny objects than she is in staying alive to see more...shiny objects.
Ask looks into the southwestern chamber:
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 @TRO - can I read the spoilers above, or do I see something extra? ;)
TheRiverOcean |
There's more =)
@Askra The darkness in that passage greatly increases the DC of the perception check =/
Nashara |
KnowLocal, Guided: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20
Nashara looks both directions and agrees with Jean. "Whatever is gleaming in that chamber could be a clue or it could be an ambush. Either way, if it's the latter I'd prefer to get the jump than be jumped." she says, offering her opinion.
Will re-Guidance myself
TheRiverOcean |
Kaad walks into the Southeastern cavern. The ceiling of this vast chamber rises nearly thirty feet overhead. A five-foot-wide ledge runs along the western wall, where Kaad enters from, sloping down to the cave floor ten feet below.
descending this slope safely will require a DC 10 climb check
Four ramshackle huts made of what appear to be strips of metal, hides, and some sort of fibrous plant matter sit in the cave, while to the south yawns a dark pit.
Kaad spots a squatting creature behind a nearby mound of rubble, it's bald headed humanoid face sticking out in curiosity.
"yobattcha... yobattcha... Stowp, how is there?"
monster perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
The pale figure crawls out from behind the rubble and raises its bony hands in the air.
"you stowpa. cowm talking to us lead woman. only haif. haif cowm, haif stay heair. yes?"
The bony creature is almost naked, jsut a few straps covering itsself. It has multiple daggers tied to its body.
Nashara |
Perception, Guided: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20
Nashara starts to say something about cold brown mold being the cause of the cave's frostier section before looking in the direction Kaad had went moments earlier.
If we hear the commotion in Kaad's direction I'll go towards the sounds.
Kaad |
Kaad keeps his hammer ready, but not threatening. He believes it would be best to consult the party, but also doesn't want to draw ire upon them, especially since some are blind.
Mimicking the creature as best he can in common tongue. Howsa bout you come to me.
Is Relas with me?
TheRiverOcean |
Relas should be at the front according to last marching order
"No no no no YOU cowm. maik peas, cowm maik peas!
Val moves to Nashara's rear, hand on her armor. "Nashara what in the hell is talking to us?"
Nashara |
Nashara informs Val of the beast's description, the hovels, and it's camo' abilities in detail as best she can.
"Do you have any idea? It seems to want to make peace...a trap? What do you think Kaad."
Sense Motive on it's peace offering?, Guided: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 = 19
Jean Antonio |
"Heeyyyy.... I want to be with the half that goes in. If it can talk, then maybe it's intelligent. His accent is weird though." Jean says insistently.
Kaad |
Should we proceed? Kaad softly inquires of Nashara. Not really wanting to descend into a trap, but at the same time appearing brave, Kaad waits upon the decision of the party before deciding to descend the ledge.
TheRiverOcean |
Val "Skulks" she spits the word out.
"These caverns are rather bright aren't they, we should do something about that light."
Val Bluff to deliver secret message: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
success, party can understand Val's meaning:
Monster sense motive on Val's words
sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 monster fails
yes, cowm, cowm peas
Nashara |
"It really wants to talk to us. I'm not sure what it's about though, also there's a second one hiding to the left." Nashara says looking at Kaad and keeping her voice low.
"Let's go, and eyes peeled. Whatever else these Skulks are, they're primitive, and they show enough low-cunning to hide." the warpriestess concludes, nodding toward the second hidden Skulk.