"Are you sure that machine didn't break its way into your home, Val? Those unchecked machines are a menace! Im only glad we made it here in time. Call us if you see any more of these things.". Bitha didn't sheathe her sword quite yet, as she wasn't sure if the robot was truly disabled, or if it was simply playing possum to lure the team in. She kept aware as she waited for Val to answer the others questions.
Saddened it was beyond even salvage, Zlota looks it over but deems it beyond her area of expertise. She does like the way it looks though, and mentally takes note before tyrning her attention to the others.
"Is this 'Val' okay?"
Val replied to Norms concerns with a fierce hug. There was a lot of emotion there, and he could tell she stifled a sob as she grabbed him.
" By the Gods of Light am I glad to see a friendly face again. Dolga's been around once or twice, but mostly it's been patrons wondering when we'd be open again, the Eschak." In Kellid, that was a pretty big insult.
As the others approached and asked her questions, she assured everyone she was fine. Apparently the robot had been more interested in pulling the house apart than attacking her.
As her eyes settled on Bitha, they gleamed with interest and warmth almost immediately. Another young Kellid woman was obviously welcome company compared to the folks she was used to dealing with. " No, there are no others of its kind anywhere that I know of. My father brought it back with him after he went to find out why the halfling group went missing." she stated calmly. " he originally thought it was the people responsible for all the footprints around the pond when he'd first found the caves. When he came back with the robot though, he feared something else might have gotten to them. These things are dangerous most times, as you know.....Bitha is it?"
She asked Norm for introductions and assured them all that if they were indeed heading down to search for her father, then the tavern behind her house was open to them.
"it's rough quarters, but I've gotten bedrolls ready and I'll prepare any meals you need. It is secure too, so you can leave things locked in there as you need. I've kept the foundry running too. Letting those fires burn out would be a sin father wouldn't forgive me for"
By this time both Androids had finished looking over the destroyed machine. Lily had done her job all too well. It was smashed beyond repair, and most likely beyond much useful study now. No humanoid had been hurt though, so that was a prize at least.
Outside, a small crowd had gathered to see what ruckus had been. It would only be a few moments before one of the local constabulary arrived too.
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"It's ok Val, that's a big help. My place is barely a shack and I must admit I love your cooking. Let me see if I can disperse this crowd before the town's guard show up." Norm says, returning the fierce hug and making the round of introductions.
Walking over to the door the gunsmith waves off the crowd to the best of his ability, shutting the Foundry's doors if possible. He returns to the others, his two companions adorned in their magical runes and at the two kellid girls chatting each other up.
Val's really become quite the young woman. By all the gods, please let us find her father alive...
As he makes his way back to the assemblage of fierce females Norm points to the wrecked automaton. "We need to hide that. In case one of the constables come..." pausing to scratch his neatly trimmed beard the hunter seems to be weighing options, "Yes, moving it til Khonnir can take a look seems appropriate - he'll know what caused it to act that way I'm sure. I don't want people asking questions and thinking we're under attack if this was an accident or fluke."
"Footprints around the pond?" Alyna asks upon hearing that tidbit of informtaion. She then turns to Norm, not waiting for a response from Val.
"Master Norm, as you are from the area and know a good deal about the town and people, perhaps you can ask the townfolk of any peculiarities recently. Maybe these footprints have more to do with the situation than we think."
Bitha immediately took a liking to her fellow Kellid. After exchanging niceties with her, including her theories about the evil plague of robots under the mount, she headed outside before the doors were shut.
"You nosy sort can just get out of here! Things are fine. IF we need your help, don't worry, I'll come ask for it! Now go back to your homes," Bitha yells, trying to deal with the crowd teh only way she knows how.
Intimidate
Zlota steps before the crowd, curious as to what they are curious about. Realizing the crowd could cause a commotion, she sighs and speaks up. "All is well! There was a small disturbance but all is well!"
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Norm scans the growing crowd, looking for any familiar faces.
Looking around he follows Bitha's lead, shifting Lilly's weight from one shoulder to the other purposefully. "Nothing to see here, just a kitchen accident. Val's a nervous wreck and she dropped a few pans. You all aught to be ashamed - you're just adding to her distress." the marksman says gruffly. "Get on home now folks."
Alyna stands beside her companions and attempts to help allay the situation.
"There is indeed nothing to see here, kind people. Mistress Val is only worried for the well-being of her dear guardian."
Most of you know our kind friend, Norman Gruff," she says as she gestures toward the young man. "He is a well-known friend of the missing Councilor, and I am sure that you would consider friends of the good gunsmith here in extension friends of the Councilor and Mistress Val."
Zlota tried to empathize with the humanoids milling around the house, but their lack of logical thinking baffled the Android. It didn't help that her serpentine companion had wound itself around her legs and was staring intently at a few of the younger children. It had never really come across humans so small and was genuinely curious, though it seemed like the crowd couldn't tell that.
She was backed up momentarily by her three companions. They all spoke in what she had been told were "gruff tones" in her time amongst the humans. Strange.
It seemed to work though, for the crowd left rather rapidly, particularly as Bitha lent on her large sword and Norm shifted his weapon. It seemed that simple acts of getting comfortably positioned were sometimes a bit frightening to some humanoids. Such temperamental things they were.
When they returned to the inner house, Val was shifting the robot as best she could. She told them that her father had found a large group of footprints around the edge of the pond above the lake. He hadn't heard of anyone being up there that day. Not long after, The Torch had flared out. At first folk were blaming the Technic League, but her father hadn't bought that. That's why the council sent the Halfling group down first. They had done work like this for the council before, and were considered quite capable. They hadn't returned though.
She got emotional speaking about her father, her voice cracked a few times and water welled in her eyes. Zlota remembered hearing that this was normal human behaviour, so wasn't too concerned. Zlota herself was a bit sad that the Robot was beyond study. Such an opportunity wasted. Oh well, there would surely be more chances in the near future.
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Norman comes back in, shouldering his musket and makes his way over to help Val hide the wreckage.
"I suppose we should go have a look at where the Flame once burned. Afterwards we'll stop by the temple and speak with the priests about the aid they've offered. I've got to go grab a couple scrolls of a spell to keep Lilly in firing shape, along with all m'ammo, for when we take the plunge. We will come back as soon as we find him Val, I promise."
Glancing beyond the bar to the bottles arrayed behind it, Norm looks to Val once more. "Have a little nip of the stuff there in the green bottle - yes, the Chelaxian vintage, to calm your nerves and get some sleep darlin'. I promise not to tell Khon when I see him." the hunter smiles affectionately and gives the kellid girl a sly wink, as if her drinking would be their little secret.
"Shall we depart, us brave few?" Norm says, looking at his companions with resolution in his eyes.
Zlota shakes her head and mumbles in Androffan about how illogical most humans are. At least these few seem reasonable enough. But she also sees Norman give the girl Val a 'nip' of alcohol but holds their tongue.
"To the Flame, then."
Alyna looks at Zlota and says matter-of-factually in Androffan, "Baina Lady Zlota , Flame izan agortuta egon . Guztiak hori jarraituko du bubbling mineralak eta urtuta rock masa bat da . Hau da gure zinegotzi Baine aurkitzeko helburua parte da."
Turning her attention to Norman, she continues, "Yes, Master Norm, a visit to the Goddess is well past due. I should have made myself known to the local Priest of Brigh when I first arrived, but circumstances precluded me from doing so."
"If th temple can help us deal with the expected dangers, then we should head there immediately. Something down there has made the flame go out, and we need to figure out what happened, before soemthing worse happens!". Bitha grabs her pack and heads out, following the local, who she hoped knew where the temple was.
Zlota follows her compatriots to wherever fate leads them.
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After the trip to the temple to receive the blessing of underwater breathing Norman leads the others to the water source. Stowing his ammo in one water tight case he offers to hold any spellbook or holy texts in his spare.
He removes one of two scrolls from his pack and asks the kind cleric to recite it's words to protect his firearm. As soon as it's done Norm double checks his belongings and those of his companions for waterproofing.
He takes the plunge, looking for the cavern under the water.
The temple of brigh was a marvel to behold. Its white stone walls were festooned with gears and metal adronments gifted to the church from the many smiths and craftsmen in town. A huge geared clock cranked its way inexorably around the top of the tallest tower, the clock itself turning around the tower so that every hour, it faced a different part of town. A huge bronze bell attatceched to the pendulum that helped the clock maintain its time, and it tolled the hour when the clock spun to face its new direction.
For Alyna, it was a sign of the power of her goddess. Such creations were beyond the knowledge of most peoples, but here her goddess had shone the light of knowledge onto those in the temple to allow such an intricate machine to be created and maintained.
As they entered the temple, the group were greeted by a young accolyte dressed in the leather blacksmiths smock that the worshipers of Brigh were famous for. She smiled at the party, and as her eyes crossed Alyna's, there was a flare of recognition. These two had been friends in their past, and now fate it seemed had brought them back together again.
For a moment there was a flash of light from the accolytes eyes, a flare of magic or somehting else, it was hard to tell.
Alyna and Zlota
A brief greeting was spoken between Alyna and the accolyte, who introduced herself as Elethori. The girl then bent down and playfully scrathed at the head of Zlota's snake like eidolon. "Marvelous" she whispered. "Come, Joram is waiting for people to go ebneath the Weeping Pond again. He has grave concerns for those who have gone below the waters and is desperate to see them saved.
The old priest was both froendly and enthisiastic, immediately shaking all their hands and thanking them profusely for again making the attempt. It was very clear that if he had been a decade younger, this man would have already gone to investigate the fate of his friends. AS it was, his eyes were reumy, and his hands swollen with arthirtis. No spell could fully halt the ravages of time.
As they had asked, he called upon brigh to provide them the ability to breath the waters of the ponds and lakes in the area. As well, he summoned a bubble of air to protect Norms gun.
Also, as he realised Alyna herself was another cleric of his order, he offered her three scrolls of water breathing he had produced earlier in the week. "In case you find others who can be returned to the surface."
He kissed the metal gear that hung from his neeck and pressed it gently against Alyna's forhead, a blessing from his Goddess used between members of the clergy. "Go safely my friends, bring back our friends and return to us the flame of creation that marks this place as a holy site."
Bitha was creeped out by the church of Brigh. They revered these strange metal creations for some reason, and for she knew they might even be the ones making them! She kept on her guard, half expecting some metallic creature to jump out and Attack her. Thankfully, nothing happened, and she was all too ready to get out of the strange place as soon as humanly possible.
Having prepared themselves as best they can for the trip, the small group made its way to Weeping Pond. While the main lake and stream for town were surrounded by greenery and life, Weeping Pond was mud and sickened sedge grass. Everyone knew not to draw water from this area, and it was only the water purifiers that the town had built further downstream that allowed the town to thrive at all.
The area where they would need to dive had been clearly marked by this stage. With so many groups having gone into the caves before them, the ground had been cleared and the grass flattened. A small red flag fluttered in the mornings breeze, a marker left behind by one of the groups to show where they'd entered.
After one last check to see that their gear was preprared, they each plunged into the waters, swimming awkwardly down to the bottom loaded with gear. At first they struggled with their breathing, since it was unnatural to draw water into the lung, but within moments the magic of the goddess Brigh had them fully adapted to the waters condintions.
It tasted foul, like rusted iron and blood, and a bitter taste remained in the mouth after each breath. It left the body feeling nauseated and stung the eyes.
The caves themselves were simple to find, but only because the party knew where to look. Light gleamed dully through the waters above them, but once they entered the cave itself, the world was plunged into darkness. Mud and mineral depsits stirred up with every movement, further tainting the water they breathed and leaving grit in their mouths. They struggled blindly, following the wall of the entrance and praying that no side passages would lead them astray.
Luckily, the caves had but one entrance, carved by a spring feeding up from deeper in the ground. Amazingly, they realised they were near the end of the entrance tunnels when a dull red glow became apparent in the water. Following the light, the small party emereged finally into an open cave. A beach of sorts led from the water, its shore consisting fo pebbles and broken stalactites pieces. Beyond the shore, a low cliff of rock rose up and led to another tunnel leading into darkness.
This room glowed with a flickering red light, seemingly coming from parts of the roof itself.
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Norm brushes himself dry as best he can. His vigor to find his lost fiend seems to have focused him a great deal. He unpacks his hand-crafted ammunition and loads Lilly.
"Khonnir is a forbidable man and he was not traveling alone. Whatever waylaid his party had to be fierce indeed. I am glad to have you all here with me. I promise to keep my aim true, isn't that right old girl?" he says, patting down his prized Musket. As he speaks you note him crouching, as if scanning the ground for tracks.
Perception
Know. Nature
Fort save
Bitha also shook the water out of her hair, and carefully unpacked Her gear from the waterproof bags. She used one of her tinder twigs, and struck it, lighting up a torch. "The way ahead looks quite dark. I don't suppose any of you would care to carry this torch, as me having both hands free for my sword is probably preferable."
Alyna steps calmly out of the water and surveys the cave around her.
"Lady Bitha, you could have saved the torch for another time if only I had informed you earlier. One of the spells I had prepared for today allows me to bless something the ability to shed light for a short time. It is an easy spell to evoke, and would have been no trouble at all," she says after seeing Bitha light her torch.
"As for the light, I do not require the use of a torch, as the Goddess has blessed me with the ability to see in the dark," she continues. "However, if you require assistance, I can hold the torch. In case the torch goes out, would you like me to imbue light into an item? I can only imbue one item at a time, however."
Alyna straps her shield to her back so she can carry the torch for her more martial companions.
Alyna and Norm both spot the source of the glowing lights in the cavern almost immediately. Bitha, busy trying to get her torch lit hadn't paid much attention until the creatures were pointed out.
They were large carrion beetles of some type, the abdomens glowing with a red light, caused by some form of bioluminescence. Once pointed out, Bitha cursed under her breath.
"Those are fire beetles. If we can kill them and harvest their glands in tact we can use those as lights too. They shed light for at least a few hours after removal."
It seemed the beetles had similar ideas about the party. Almost the moment they were spotted they began to thrum their wings in ready for an attack. They were well placed amongst the limestone stalagmites of the roof at the moment, but at any minute they would fly down to engage the group it would seem.
Bitha will move forward in a right diagonal, so she is back with both feet solidly on the ground. She readies an action to Attack the first beetle that approaches her.
Coming from the water, feeling not too well. She sees the party moving and spots why, moving diagonally back. She can't concentrate, her mind whirling...
If Ksila made their saves and such, it will position itself between any beetles and Zlota, readying a bite action against any beetles that enter it's threat range.
Alyna doubles over, retching from the rancid water. She tries to focus, hoping her nanites will counter the effects of the nausea soon.
"How are you two not effected by this water... it tastes disgusting!" she asks of her two human companions, noting that the other android is suffering from the same effects as she is. She still attempts to stow her shield to grab the torch from Bitha.
"Duh, breathe in the water, but don't swallow it, ladies," Bitha responds, still wielding her fierce blade at the ready.
The beetles took flight as the party moved around. There was a boom and the cave flared momentarily as Lily roared her powder and lead shot.
Again the human marksman was true to his trade, and the closest beetle exploded in gore as the bullet found its mark.
The remaining two closed in and attempted to savage the Bitha and Norm respectively. Their flight ended with them landing heavily on the ground and shallow water of the stream and their mandibles snicked hungrily as they lunged.
Within seconds of reaching the caves, the party was already embroiled in combat. It was very clear just how dangerous things were down here.
Bitha swung her sword with great force, but her attempts at hitting the beetle were hampered by its erratic flight pattern. She missed the thing entirely, and felt a shocking pain as its mouthparts sheared into her leg.
Norm watched horrified as his beetle closed in. He felt exposed and in trouble as he desperately tried to reload Lily. Beside him there was a hiss and a sudden lunge of movement as Ksila launched at the beetle. Jaws snapped shut and just managed to grasp the creature. There was a crunch of carapace being crushed, then green fluids bust from the beetle as it died in the Eidolons mouth.
Attack
Damage
Bitha chops down the beetle, despite a little pain from the bite.
Britha's second swing did the trick, finishing the last of the beetles off and removing the immediate threat from the group.
12 seconds was all the difference between life and death, it seemed. These things weren't the biggest of their kind either. Britha made note to the others that where there were little beetles, big ones often lived as well. It was a sobering thought.
While the two magic users got over their illness, the Barbarian stood watch and Norm scouted around. It took him only a few moments to find the tracks of the other groups. Their footprints led to the cliff a short distance from the water, and it seemed they had climbed that direction to head into the deeper caves. Unfortunately, whatever ropes they had used to do so they'd also taken with them.
The marksman also noted that the spring seemed to feed out from under a small rock face to the north of the cave as well. IT would mean ducking under the water again and swimming an unknown distance though.
Choices, choices.
Alyna looks up at Norm, recovering from her body's attempt to rid itself of the vile water and its effects. "I could do without that feeling again. However, we must act fast, as it is doubtful that the firing of your musket has gone unnoticed to anything else that may be in these caves."
"Master Norman, as it is quite dark up above that ledge, and your eyes are not suited for it, do you desire an item of yours to act as a light source?"
"Aye, light Lilly up if ya will. Let's see about knotting some rope"
Bitha has a 50' coil of rope, she produced out of her backpack. "Tie this off and let's get to climbing. We are looking for the others, so let's follow the trails of the other groups as long as we can."
Zlota takes the rope from Bitha and nods. "Agreed. If we follow their trail, it will logically lead us to the group, or at least until something obscures the trail." She walks over and ties it off
Alyna gently touches Norm's trusty musket and closes her eyes, her holy symbol clutched in her other hand. After muttering a few words and invoking the power of her Goddess, a soft glow begins to emanate from the musket. After a few moments, the glow is as bright as Bitha's torch, illuminating the small cavern around them. Opening her eyes, Alyna smiles and mutters another prayer to her Goddess.
"As a reminder, Master Norman, the spell will only persist for ten minutes. I am able to recast it at anytime, however, if need be," she says before turning to Bitha.
"Mistress Bitha, please allow me to examine your wound to ensure that it is not serious or life-threatening," she says, focusing on the barbarian's leg. The mandibles didn't seem to dig too deep, but Alyna wanted to be sure it wasn't serious.
Working efficiently as a team, the four companions quickly sorted a climbing rope and sent Norm up the cliff face. Taking care with every movement, the marksman made the climb easily enough.
The glow from his arcane musket showed him a long, curving cavern, filled with stalactites and stalagmites. The ground was uneven, and movement would restricted in here. Not a place to get caught if you had to move in a hurry. He thought he could see an exit further on in the shadowy light from Alyna's magical light, but it was hard to know for sure. Norm quickly tied off the rope and lowered it for the others to make the ascent.
While he had been doing that, the cleric of Brigh checked over Bitha's wound. It looked clean enough, and she didn't think the water from the tainted spring was going to be an issue either.
The group now had a number of light sources. A set of glowing red glands from the beetles, Norms glowing musket and Bitha's torch. Darkness was no longer an issue for them.