My name is Fonidea Toavana, and I am, I was once, a simple Bullywug. My village is to the north of this place, and I would often gather wild growing things from the plants that grew among these stones while my brothers and sisters would hunt for the deer and long legged birds that some time collect around these ruins.
I lost track of time one day and discovered I had been separated from my family and before I could find them I was captured by two strange beings. They looked like humans, but their skin was different, and they acted like no humans I ever heard of before. One of the creatures was obviously the master of the other one, and this one gave orders all the time. Do this, do that, she wouyld say and the other one would obey without question.
The creatures brought me to the tower above this dungeon and then they began doing things to me. They strapped my body to a table and poked my arms with needles and pumped my body with fluids that burned and caused me such agonizing pain that I thought I would die, and there were times when I swear that I did.
They kept me here, in this cell, and brought me to the tower over and over again so many times I lost count. They hooked my brain to machines, implanted small things under my skull and gave me knowledge and words I never thought I would come to understand but now I do. All the while there were other harmless creatures of the marsh that they would bring in and do the same things to them. Some of the animals and other things the creatures experimented on did not survive. Somehow, I managed to stay alive and with each of the experiments I changed. Now I do not know what I’ve become but there is a mirror here and I know that I am no longer a beautiful Bullywug at all.
My skin feels different, and my legs are longer. I am taller, but still not as tall as a human. I no longer can eat meat, it makes me violently sick, but I can eat plants, though it has been some time since the creatures brought me any food.
There is one other thing you must know. There was another experiment, a huge creature that began life, I believe as a troll, and the creatures did terrible experiments on him. He bellowed and cried all the time until I was sure his agony would drive me mad. The worked day and night to find a way to kill the troll without destroying his body and when they succeeded they went on to do things even I cannot understand.
The creatures not only poked him with needles and filled his body with fluids, but they dismembered him and stitched his body back together with things not of this world inserted where some of his bones should be. There was a machine that created lightning and shadows and they placed the body of the troll into a tube and subjected him to the electrical storms and dark shadow magic and then they brought in a box that had sides made from the same devices that keep me a prisoner here and in that box was the most hideous, alien creature I’ve ever seen. It looked like a creature of the sea, with a gelatinous body and long tentacles that ended in sharp claws. The creatures placed the thing into the tube with the stitched troll and using the machines and some dark magic they fused the tow bodies into one, and infused it with power from a another plane of existence. The experiments and rituals brought life to the monster, but the creatures were almost unsuccessful in containing it. It, this monster, had a ravenous appetite and they were only able to control it by satiating its desires for blood and fresh organs carved from the bodies of victims while they still lived. It feed on the guts of other creatures, but would not devour the hearts for some reason.
One day, as I was being taken away from the tower I heard the master creature tell the slave creature to set up a gate, and to open it. This was the first time I heard the slave speak out in defiance against the master. The slave creature warned that the gate would be uncontrollable, and that it would unleash terrible things on this world. Then the master creature laughed, a terrible demonic laugh, and said that she didn’t care what happened. She only needed to prove that a gate could be opened using the machines she had been building. She then explained to the slave that when the gate was open, and stable, she was going to destroy the tower and release the troll-thing, now a twisted, grotesque abomination, into the marsh where it would either find things to kill to sustain its bloodlust, or die from starvation. The thing, from what I heard, must feed on a living being every day, or it will begin to deteriorate and the magic that binds it together will come apart.
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Sasithorn's Eysterlun sensibilities get the better of him as he listens to Fonidea's story, demonstrating visible spasms or minor fits at certain parts.
"And, at last, our eyes correct themselves," He says to his companions, invoking the Wayang idiom. "And we can see in the dark."
He blinks, as though abruptly recalling something. He reaches into his belongings, pulls out one of the rolls he bought at the tavern in Connie's Bright, pivots around, and proffers it to Fonidea.
"It's a humble repast, but it's yours if you so desire."
He also tries desperately to see if he has any deeper comprehension of the horrors she's described.
Sasithorn reaches forward with his offering, and the roll bumps against the shimmering translucent barrier
Marvin listens to her story but has little to contribute other than storing the information for future use. Their missing memory makes it difficult for the android to comprehend what has been done to Fonidea, gaps of knowledge that paint a broad incomplete picture.
The unit instead busy themselves with investigating the device, searching for a way to disable it. "Agent Southmiller, your expertise would be appreciated."
Standing separated from the pitiable woman - bullywug or otherwise - Diarmal can't help but imagine the horrors she must have faced. Likewise, the troll she speaks of now wanders without a master.
But the strange technology, Marvin, the shadow creatures... how it was all interconnected was a mystery. The more pressing concern, though, was the barrier.
"There must be some mechanism that controls this thing. We cannot simply leave you here after all you have endured."
Ribat just stares at the barrier, feeling helpless. I have no idea how to help, but I have to do something.
"Um, what kind of plants do you like to eat, Fon-i-i-dea?"
I like watery, leafy plants, cabbage and cucumbers, fruits, and nuts, if they are not too sweet, thank you. You are not a bullywug,Fonidea smiles at Ribat and lowers her head, and then she lifts her eyes slightly and asks. What should I call you, kind sir?
Day 1, Friday, turn 103 (below the tower ruin)
Marvin begins examining the area, and looks both up and down, as he calls on Paulina’s assistance. When he is looking up, it draws Diarmal’s attention to the bars he noticed both on the floor and lying on the ground.
Diarmal, nudges the coppery haired fellow, and points at the bars, just as Paulina comes close.
Well, this is all remarkable, to say the least. Hello, Fonidea. My name is Paulina Southmiller. We’re going to do everything we can to get you out of that cell. Oh, I see, thanks Marvin, Paulina says when she notices that Marvin and Diarmal are studying the bars. This is a device not normally used as a wall for a prison. The barrier it creates is weak, and could normally be disrupted by a small amount of energy. Have you tried pressing against it?
I have,Fonidea cries,I can move it, a little, but it doesn’t give way no matter how hard I run at it.
Well that’s strange, Paulina presses the palm of her hand against the window like barrier and shoves. He hand moves a few inches inward, but she is not strong enough to break the barrier.Normally, this sort of barrier is used to keep children, or pets, in an assigned area. It’s harmless enough, and should collapse if enough force is applied to it, whoever put this here must have altered it’s amplification modulation. We should be able to turn it off at the control rods, unless those have been tampered with.
She gets down on her hands and knees and examines the rod on the floor, and quickly exclaims,Ah, I see what they’ve done. The power collectors have been hot connected, and put into test mode. It’s not dangerous, here she places her fingers on the side of the rod and tries to slide a cover, when she is attacked by a bolt of electricity and knocked back a few feet.
She is awake, and seems to be not permanently harmed, and says from across the roomOkay, so they rigged it to only respond to a key, great. Now there’s really only one way I know to break it down. We need to get a something to hold the top rod in place, maybe a couple of you can reach it, then we need to get a couple of other guys to slide the lower rod away from the wall until the field collapses when it reaches the limit of the energized field potential. I’ve seen this done before. It will work, but. When the field collapses it’s going to hurt whoever is holding onto those rods, a little, maybe a lot. But it’s the only thing I can think of, outside of finding the transmitter key, or trying to break one of the rods, which is a bit more dangerous.
Wahl then lets beat the thing down Xor will attempt to force his way through
Xor - you might make it, try a Strength Check, the DC is 20!
Nope, she ainta budgin
Seeing Xor fail at one of the proposed plans, Marvin speaks up.
"The key may be in the previous room with the devices," they suggest. "Failing that, perhaps one of them may be of use here. This unit suggests they and Agent Southmiller return there to search."
"Sounds good... Shall the rest of us attempt to dismantle the device in the meantime, just in case you cannot find the key?"
"My name is Ribat. I'm, uh, a grippli, which is kinda like a bullywug, but different. Anyhow, I'm going to try to help my friends get you out, and then we should get you some food." He turns to Diarmal. "How would you suggest we go about dismantling it?
Diarmal scratches his head. "Well Paulina said something about pulling that thing... and that thing... then waiting until it did something... before it did something else, then broke, or something?"
The Drasbian was clearly out of his element.
"Yeah, I didn't get it, either. Maybe we should just wait for instructions."
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Sasithorn stows the roll for the time being, and turns around to assess the situation.
"If I caught all of what Paulina just said, these rods have power over the wall which our Distressed-Damsel-Of-The-Day is trapped behind, and it can be overcome if we move the one on the floor in the direction away from the wall, while, and this is important, the other rod must simultaneously be restrained from moving."
Sasithorn looks around for himself to see where these rods that were mentioned actually are - he isn't quite clear on the layout yet.
From what Paulina has said, she expects that the force wall can be broken down if enough brute force is applied to it. Also, the wall can be made to collapse if the sources are moved far enough apart to overcome the power required to keep the field in place. The top bar is mounted to the wall, and might(?) stay in place if the bottom bar is moved, but this is what Paulina is not sure about and so that is why she mentioned making sure the top bar doesn’t move. However, she seems to have indicated that if the force field is collapsed by other than normal means, it will most likely result in an explosion of some magnitude. Xor, has thrown himself, cautiously, at the force wall (his sense of self preservation must have been holding him back subconsciously) in order to test the wall, and failed. If someone wants to try again, there is a DC of 20, and it is a Strength Ability Check.
That’s a good idea, Marvin, let’s go. Paulina says as she turns and heads back up the stairs, saying over her shoulder Be careful, don’t do anything stupid. Give us just a few minutes to try and find the key. Don’t worry Fonidea, we’ll have you free soon.
Marvin nods and follows Paulina, ready to search for the key and, if not the key, at least something that would be of use. If Marvin doesn't know what the key's appearance would most likely be, they ask Paulina for a description.
Sasithorn looks at Xor, Ribat, and Diarmal. "I was thinking perhaps I'd follow those two - do you think you can take care of these rods?"
Naht a problem Sassy
Day 1, Friday, turn 104 (below the tower ruin)
Sasithorn follows Marvin and Paulina back up to the previous room, while Xor, Diarmal and Ribat stay close to the strange transparent barrier.
Paulina asks Tessrimea what she has been doing this whole time and Tess answers,
I was looking all through this room’s strange devices and I found this box labeled Keys,
Well that’s about the best coincidence we could have hoped for, Paulina says. Is there anything in the box?
Only this small black object, and this slim silvery key, unlike any I’ve ever seen before, Tessrimea says opening the box and showing the contents to Paulina.
Paulina takes the small black object and rushes back down the stairs. She stands a few feet away from the curtain, and holds the box out in front of her. Paulina squeezes the box between her finger and thumb, and the field collapses. Fonidea is free.
Amazed with the simplicity of it all, Diarmal can't help but laugh. "Well, that was easy! Too bad I've got that sinking feeling its only gonna get worse from here."
He offers the finally freed lady amongst them a quick bow and a smile. "Though I am glad you have you freedom at last, Fonidea."
Breathe in the free air lassie
how else are you supposed to keep track of keys? I mean you aren't going to label the box, socks, now that would just be silly. Besides I was sort of mad at myself for leaving Tess out of the story for so long, and sad that no one asked about her for a while
Marvin steps aside to let Paulina move down the stairs with the key. They remain a few moments longer in the room to inform Tessrimea of what happened while she was away and the circumstances of Fonidea. They then decide to remain in the room to prevent Tess from staying alone in an unknown environment.
Once the barrier is gone, Ribat stares at Fonidea for a long moment, then shakes his head vigorously. As he is walking towards Fonidea, he reaches into his pack, retrieves some nuts and dried fruit from his rations, and extends them towards Fonidea. "Uh, I'm glad you're free now. Here--have some food."
Thank you, all of you, the green skinned girl says, taking the food that is offered to her.
She takes a few small bites, then looks up at the group and says, What are you going to do now?
"If a beast is stalking the moors and slaughtering the defenseless, then I think our course is clear," says Diarmal without even a hint of hesitation. Whatever dangers lay before them, no matter the scale, Lady Aisling would guide them.
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Sasithorn scans what he can see to make sure nothing's been overlooked.
"Sounds reasonable. What's more, we can hope that scrutinizing this monster in the flesh can help us learn something more about the forces - both of the way and will variety - behind its creation. Let us not lose sight of the larger picture: A malign alchemist or two is only the beginning. Something nothing short of epochal is happening to this world."
"Indeed," the priest muses, "but uncovering the secrets of the universe is another matter entirely, one that I pray is not beyond our skills to comprehend."
Well, I never saw the creature off the table, or out of its confinement, but I do know what its feet look like. I cannot return to my people, not now that I am this she says as she gestures to her form with her own hands. My people do not accept strangers, or the strange she trails off lowering her head for a moment, but then she looks up at Ribat, even though she seems to be still speaking to Sasithorn.
I could stay with you, if you will have me with you, and if you are searching for the creature I will help
Day 1, Friday, turn 105 and the dry hill in the marsh
There seems to be little else that can be accomplished here in the sub floor of the tower, and Paulina asks about Nathaniel and Gideon
The two men do not answer when their names are called and the party heads up the stairs.
The sun is just beginning to set in the west, beyond the forested hills, and long shadows play across the rocks of the ruin. The sounds of croaking frogs and buzzing insects fills the air, and is occasionally split and silenced by the high pitched calls of the long legged birds that walk in the shallows of the marshes.
Soon it will be dark.
And you are far from anywhere that is safe.
The group calls out for Nathaniel and Gideon, but no voice answers back
What will you do?
"This unit suggests scouting. They may still be here, or have left a trail."
Marvin makes a quick investigation of the surrounding area.
"Sounds like a plan, Marvin. Do you want to help me look around, Fonidea?"
Diarmal readies his bow and nocks an arrow, though he does not yet draw it. "Show care. They may not have left of their own accord, and whatever hunts them may yet hunt us."
Nah why wood that halfling run off with that smarmy bastard