Joram checks criek over
Looks like a poison effect.
He casts a spell on criek.
And he wakes up
Garmen Ulreth is in league with some outsiders that call themselves 'The Lords of Rust' which are in some sort of cult of Hellion from Scrapwall. They are doing.. something.. to the machines underneath Torch that will cause a 'reactor overload' which from my understanding could destroy the town and everything around it. Genni here might be able to tell us more and has detected some sort of 'power transfer' occurring. I believe this also explains why the Torch went out.
Arriving back at the temple, nearly out of breath, Sharae pulls Valia and Anody to one side – careful not to speak within earshot of Khonnir, she whispers frantically at her companions, ”She’s gone!!! I don’t know – it looks like there was a struggle at the tavern… Someone must have taken her…”
Criek sits up with a gasp, rubbing at his eyes. "I--I dreamt we were safe in Torch, and had found Khonnir, but it was just..." he trails off in astonishment as he takes in his surroundings. "The temple! We're safe? And Khonnir!"
Leaping off the pallet he rushes to throw his arms around his mentor's midsection before composing himself and turning to listen to Anody's summary.
"So we're not safe, the reactor still threatens? Must we return, or, if Garmen's part of the plot, perhaps we can fix it from the surface?"
Anody is pulled away by Sharae and listening to her wrings his hands Garmen, it must be Garmen. The Scrapwall people must be in communication with him. He is their ally on the surface. We have to let everyone know. The town guard must be able to help.
"Well that's not good, but given them having taken Khonnair, then taking Val, I am going to assume they want something they know about."
Arriving back at the temple, nearly out of breath, Sharae pulls Valia and Anody to one side – careful not to speak within earshot of Khonnir, she whispers frantically at her companions, ”She’s gone!!! I don’t know – it looks like there was a struggle at the tavern… Someone must have taken her…”
"Was there anything there? Any indication or clue as to-?"
I know you don't want to burden Khonnair with this knowledge Sharae but I think it's important to alert the town leaders and then... I think... we should pay a visit to the casino Anody says his with a quiver in his voice and a pale face.
Joram looks up.
You are going into more trouble yes. But you look beat, tired. I might be able to help if you like. You helped Khonnir, and I am grateful. Just a moment.
Joram goes to a shelf, and opens a box on it. He takes out a bottle and offers it to you.
I don't give out these out willynilly. These tablets will give you the equivalent of a nights rest in but moments. But with a price. They are very taxing. In twelve hours or so, its effect will run out, and you must rest. If you don't, you may collapse. Or... he says with a shrug, You could rest the night. Be wiser. Your choice
Anody accepts a pill with a bit of hesitation. It has to be Garmen yes? I cannot think of anyone else who would have done this to Val. I do not think we have a choice. We have to act fast both for Val and for the whole town.
turning the pill over in her hands, experiencing the same hesitation that plagues Figwidget, "It seems we have little option...Valia, there wasn't anything to suggest who took Val - there's sign enough of a struggle but nothing to say it was Garmen nor anyone else... I just don't know who else it would have been though. Criek, you know the family a little better than others - any thoughts?". Whilst she waits for the ratperson to think, she sighs, "Oh well..." and pops the pill into her mouth...
Turning from Joram to tune into Sharae's conversation with Valia and Anody, "What? Val? Has something happened to her? No--no family that I know of--an orphan, but for Khonnir. We can't have let something happen to her while we were rescuing him?!"
Snatching one of the stimulants from Joram and gulping it down, "We've got to help her!"
Those that take the pills stagger for a moment
Then they feel a fire moving down their bodies. A energetic, strengthening fire. All fatigue is burned away, and they feel alert, fast thinking, quick. A mild euphoria sweeps their thoughts; they could do anything. Experience becomes clear, spells are renewed or can be studied/prayer for.
Anody swallows his pill and shakes his head at the effects.
Well. Let us pay the casino another visit then
To Genni he says. We need to prove to the people in the casino Garmen's nefarious dealings. Could you repeat what you recorded of the people who attacked you? By the by where is this 'relay' that you spoke of? It could be that Val was taken there and not the casino.
stupid thing. Rest for a moment, all of you. We head north in five. And in future keep yourselves in line. This is not scrapwall, but you are the lords of rust. Act like it.
Yes mistress. in hellions holy name (group of voices)
His glory to come. Go now.
A short silence then.
Meyanda, a word
Yes Felix?
We will have to shut down the vent system to start the power transfer
I know
That will eventually cause the reactor to blow. It will wipe the town from the map. It may cause the progenitor to notice.
It matters not. This town is not important to our plans, and by the time the progenitor is aware of this, it will be too late. Our lord's victory will be assured.
very well. As long as we are not here. Should be quite a blast.
Yes. A sign of our lord's power. Praise be his name
Praise him
That reminds me. Krell, I want you to go back to Garmen, and ready the power relay. Once I access the reactor it needs to be ready. Tell him that the torch will go out once we begin. The town will investigate. He is to warn us when they start sending groups.
Yes holy one
The voice of Felix was the same voice that controlled the robot doctor
"Professor, I don't know this town very well but, if what I have seen so far is a good indication, then I have little doubt pursuing Garmen will lead us to Val... Let us get to the casino as quickly as we may - but let us try to solve this diplomatically if we can... Let's keep our knives, bombs, swords and...", pointing towards the chainsword carried by Ayla, "that thing... by our sides"
Anody nods. I'll ask Genni to keep track of where this 'power relay' is as well. Both seem like bases of operation for these Lords of Rust characters
"If you wish to be diplomatic, I am not in the mood. Our weapons come with us, or I stay here with Khonnir to guard his safety."
Sharae sighs inwardly, "I never said anything about leaving weapons behind...I just hoped we might ask a few questions before shedding blood"
"I am certainly in favor of avoiding bloodshed, especially with Val potentially in harm's way, but if Garmen is in league with...whoever it is that's controlling those constructs below, we should be prepared for anything. And, speaking of prepared, if I could take a few minutes to replenish my formulae before we set out?" Assuming no protest, Criek quickly unpacks his reagents and mixes up fresh vials of explosive and extract.
Everyone prepares, in their own way, Sharae in quiet prayer, Creik muttering to himself and mixing reagents, Anody peering at some of the books Joram has, and valia and Ayla taking a moment to check their weapons.
Khonir, exhasted has fallen asleep. Just before you go, Joram says
Wait a sec. Brigh, lady of artifice and creation, guide these one who seek to preserve our town and its people.
Good luck. We'll look after Khonir, and when the council arrives, we'll send the watch.
Then, ready, the party heads off to save a town, and a friend.
Genni gives the direction of the signal. It is roughly north of your position, about 400 feet away. Oddly, it is not towards the Casino.
Councilor Fredgart arrives just as you are leaving.
Whut...are ye leaving? Khonnir, he alive! Ye did it. But whuts ye hurry?
Joram says, before you can reply They are on important business, Councilor. I'll explain, they have no time.
”Professor? If it is worth looking at this signal that Genni thinks is just around the corner, maybe we should do that quickly – is there any chance we could stop the reactor there do you think? But, if it’s nothing, we need to get to Silver Disc Hall as soon as possible”
These Lords of Rust may know about Val as much as Ulreth and they must be at this power relay. I say we go to the relay first and then the casino if the relay is a dead end.
"Allez aux relay, my friends. Weapons and ammunition."
Valia unburdens himself of most of his dungeoneering gear. The extra rations, the sketching gear, etc.
Criek follows Valia's lead in stashing extra gear before leaving the temple. It'll be safe here. ...but then we thought Val would be safe at the tavern, too?
"As we assume the relay is being guarded, how shall we approach it? I believe I've figured the trick of invisibility, and could perhaps approach unseen?
"Genni, how precisely can you track the relay, and will you be able to identify it on sight? I could carry you with me?"
We should stick together... but I.. suppose you could scout ahead carefully just a little ways in front and come back as soon as you see anything of concern? Genni you'd have to be quiet though. You can speak softly if needed yes?
The party leaves the temple of Brigh, and moves north. About a minute later you are outside a warehouse. Hiding in the shadows, you can see a ropefist standing beneath a torch at the warehouse office door. The large doors that allow wagons is shut as it is night. No other movement can be seen. The signal from the relay is in the warehouse.
Creik drinks his extract and fades from view
Those doors seem boarded up, as are all the windows. You could open one, but is would be noisy. It could be opened quietly is you took care, but it would take five rounds or so, and require a disable device roll to do it. Checking the front doors, with care to to be heard, the guarded door is usable, but the wagon door is also boarded up. On return to the party, 2 min of your invisibility has been used.
About 2 minutes later, creik's voice whispers I'm back
Sounds like 2 minutes in general recon and return + 5 rounds in disable device for breaking and peeking + 1 minute for being real safe -- so will only spend a round or two looking through, not stand around watching whatever's inside.
On returning, creik describes what he has found.
the one there you see there and the other hiding beyond are ropefist -- local thugs, and but lightly armed, but carrying bells? A signal to whomever is inside?
I saw none through the window, but a light under an interior door -- someone likely inside the room that ropefist guards? And another on a catwalk above? There is a second story entrance around the rear, likely to the catwalk, but it appears boarded, and we've no way of reaching it without passing the guards?
"If we could silence the two thugs outside, maybe we could gain access with a minimum of bloodshed? My prayers could hold one of them still whilst someone else takes down his friend?", Sharae suggests a course of action that doesn't involve a head-on assault...
Anody fiddles with his glasses. It is a bit risky, but perhaps I can charm the fellow in the shadows while you hold the one in the light Sharae
Soooooo...
The ropefist near the door freezes, unable to move. As he is leaning against the door, he doesn't fall.
The other reacts to Anody's and Sharaes spell casting, but he is surprised. Ayla, creik (who is still invisible) and Valia can now act before the ropefist. Creik can be positioned between the two targets if he wishes.
Anody realizes his spell failed.
Actions?
Botting Criek
Criek takes an extract (shield)