Anody runs the gauntlet, and despite trying to tumble past, the ropefists attempt to strike him.
But, the gods are kind, and he exits unscathed.
Neither creik or anody find any trace of garmen. Creik advances north, but encounters nothing.
The cross I have added in was the last known location of Garmen. That was last round. He has since acted this round. This means he, assuming stealth move, he has moved up to four squares, one last round (five foot step) and three for this round (half move).
Party can now act
Is he hiding? We cannot allow him to get away! Anody focuses on where he guesses Garmen to be and casts GlitterDust on a spot 15 feet straight north of Criek
Leaving her companions to find Garmen, Sharae rushes towards Val, "Val? Val? Are you okay?"
Anody casts his spell and it hits the ground. unfortunately he is not is the area of effect.
Sharae sees to val, and sees that she has been bruised a bit (ten points of subdual) and is tied up and gagged. She seems alert though, and she tries to say something.
murr muicth. Loth a murr muicth
On a totally unrelated note, the device I mentioned at the start of the fight is beeping softly.
Ayla, valia, creik to act
With no trace of Garmen, and Anody's burst of glitter revealing nothing, Criek allows his shoulders to slump in dejection for a moment before realizing that his companions are still under attack.
He rushes to aid Valia, darting past the ropefist to jab at him from behind with his spear.
Oh dear.. he will cause us no end of trouble Anody says fretfully before noting the beeping.
Genni, is the place you were tracking?
Anody notes the device that is beeping. It is a box, with a dish attacked to the top . It has a panel with indicators and buttons.
Valia to act. I will GMPC him in a few hours. Also Ayla, please detail what you are doing.
Ayla will swing the prisoner over her shoulder and move closer to the group.
Valia strikes at a ropefist
combat expertise
Valia cuts down another ropefist.
The last one, seeing all his allies defeated, and his boss fled, falls to his knees
Quarter, Quarter! For the love of the gods, I yield
Garman 4hp
Savill 18hp,mirror image 2 left, surrendered
ropefist ayla dead
ropefist sharae 0hp
ropefist valia dead
ropefist garman 7hp
The fight is over, unless you can find Garmen. It is likely he is in the area, but is likely leaving. Still, he would likely flee to the casino. But you have to care for Val, and check the device.
Genni says Well, that was exciting. Anody the device I am tracking is in the building we have just exited.
Gently removing the gag from the injured Val, Sharae apologises and asks again, ”Are you okay? Can you walk? We need to get out of here”. As the Desnan starts attempting to untie Val – using her starknife to cut her bonds if the knots are too tight – she finally hears the gentle beeping… ”Erm… Val? What is that?”
Well unless anyone else has any idea how to find Garmen. I think we will just deal with him when he shows up. And oh dear, we have two prisoners too? Now anyway as for this device...
Anody will find the device with Genni's help and examine it.
Now let's see here...
Genni... is this the device that those Lords of Rust were speaking of as well?
"Let's get these prisoners and Val to town first, so Val can be safe and these two can start telling us some things and not worry about them doing something when something important is happening."
With the fighting over, Criek rushes to Sharae and Val, grasping the girl's hands eagerly -- and somewhat oblivious to the difficulty he is causing Sharae in her attempts to undo the bonds.
"Val! You're safe! And -- wonderful news -- so is Khonnir! We found him in that dreadful place and brought him out -- we shall have to take you to see him at once!"
As Sharae asks about the device, he looks around as well to where Anody is inspecting the dish-box.
Val gasps The device! Its important! Going to destroy the town! What the hell is that, a talking head?
Genni says Indeed, anody. Examining readouts. This is a energy transmission relay. Someone in the ship module is directing power to here, then it is being re-transmitted to...elsewhere. That energy build up is what is causing to reactor overload.
Her eyes flicker a bit
I have control. Do you wish to discontinue the transmission? That would slow the detonation, allowing the clearing of the venting passages and preventing detonation. That last part would require entering the wreak again and dealing with the intruders. Or you would now have plenty of time to evacuate to a minimum safe distance. Twenty five miles in your terms.
Val's eyes nearly pop at this recitation. Then she says Oh, I like her. Can i disassemble her? For knowledge? I'm fairly certain I can put her back together.
While this is going on, Valia ties up the surviving ropefist, and then moves to the barely conscious one, repeating the process.
You two have a lot of explaining to do, and if you do it long and loud, you might just give out of this alive. he says to them.
He turns to the others, and sees Ayla with her cargo.
Hey Ayla. Good catch. Any questions before we hand these gentlemen over? he finishes to the group.
I think it is safe to say that we would very much like to discontinue the transmission Genni. Then let's get the prisoners to the Council so they can testify against Garmen with all haste
Breathing easier now the immediate danger has passed, "It seems that we may have bought ourselves some time? In which case, I agree with the Professor - discontinue the transmission, let's take these prisoners back to the council and...", smiling at Val, "I'm sure you'd like to see your father again".
Genni blinks and the beeping ceases.
transfer discontinued. Information! This has slowed the reactor Breach, but not halted. It needs to vent plasma. Breach will happen in one week, unless circumstances change. To vent plasma requires engine room access.
Criek also lets out a sigh of relief before saying worriedly, "with garmen escaped, we may not have that much more time? He's likely still in communication with whomever controls the engine room, and who's to say they don't have a backup? ...or that they won't let the meltdown happen out of spite, even if it doesn't benefit them? Let us make haste back to the council to discuss our next steps."
Ah yes of course. Val, your father is safe. We must make haste back to the council right away. Ayla could you make sure the prisoners behave? Valia could you carry this device back as well? We need to put people on alert about what Garmen tried to do. Oh dear he's probably listening to us right now.
"I'll make sure they behave on the way back."
You swiftly return to the temple of brigh, and find the council there, along with a group of guards. Sanvil imediateky claims he is an innocent bystander, but the response is, save if for the magistar. and valher father embrace, after a long separation.
Actions
Val, could you let us know what happened to you? The council needs to know of Garmen's trechery. Anody says
Sharae smiles as Khonnir and Val are reunited.
No matter what happens from here on in, it is a good thing that we have done…
Turning her attention to the officials of the Town Hall, ”Councillors, it was as we feared… Garmen has his fingers all over this – not only did he kidnap Val, it now seems that he is involved with whatever is going on below the Town. Although we were able to capture several of his accomplices, I am afraid to say that Garmen himself got away… It may be prudent to keep watch of Silver Disc Hall. For our part, it is likely that those who are still underground are now aware of our presence and will surely infer that we intend to stop any mischief… we should make haste”
”Although, if Khonnir is in any kind of a state to tell us more of what he learned whilst beneath the town… it would be of great help”
I really don't know a lot. I was working in the inn, when they grabbed me and put me in a sack. Once I got there, Garmen questioned me about you, wanting to know who you are, and what you were finding. I didn't tell him, not that I know much anyway.
She shrugs
He said someone was paying him a mint to watch this device, and that it was going to blow the town up
Yes, we brought the device with us as you can see. We have turned it off but it seems like the threat to Torch is not resolved yet. If we do not fix things below ground then the town could still be destroyed in a week. I hope this is enough evidence for us to move against Garmen? Or do you require more?
Ayla adds
"Sounds like they were worried that we'd stop their plan, and needed info on us to counter us.
It would not be a bad idea to look over what was in those rooms and have some trustworthy townsfolk go over those rooms after the problem has been fixed, as I know two of my sisters would likely spend months going over a single room we were in for materials and or knowledge."
The councilors look at each other and nod agreement.
Khonnir says, he will be arrested, outlawed and then exiled. As will this one looking at sanvil.
This sentence is rather nasty, as all the persons property is confiscated, then the person branded with the outlaw mark, and kicked out of town with a knife, a weeks food and water to try to get to another town that may or may not take him in. Death was the usual result. And if they returned to town, they could be killed on sight.
Guards leave to occupy the casino and chase Garmen down.
Khonnir looks at the party.
So what's your next move?
"Our next move should be to prevent the disaster to come."
"Agreed... Garmen will keep - yet, from what I understand, we have merely delayed the 'Reactor Breach'", Sharae rolls her eyes, "Whatever that is..."
"Our destiny lies underground... Councillor, I fear we must ask for yet more water breathing...once more, we must swim through that foul river"
First.. I feel we need to rest. We have been awake for quite a long time and, if I understand correctly, when the effects of the pill we took expire we will be in a bad spot.
yes, you should rest. I have to prayer for the spell in the dawn anyway. the priest says. you have done heroes work this day.
Khonnir and val, also thank you. come, you can rest in the inn.
Without further a due, the party settles down for the night.
The next morning, they return to the temple, and the water breathing spell is recast. You hear that Garmen and what was left of his thugs fled the town. A problem for the future, perhaps. More disturbingly, sanvil escaped, and is nowhere to be found. A pair of guards are also missing.
When her friends awake, they find Sharae outside - her demeanour notably less frosty than it has been since the day Ardash fell, the butterfly 'warpaint' washed from her face and her hair braided with flowers once more. After enquiring after everyone's restfulness and having chatted about this, that and nothing, she suggests heading to the temple..
Upon arrival, and hearing of Sanvil's escape, she smiles, "It seems that Garmen and Sanvil are a problem for another day - unfortunate but, at least for now, I hope of little import... Come my friends, we have a date with destiny..."
Hrm... Khonnair... would you feel up to coming with us underground again? The medical robot device we found underground might be able to cure you peramnently. I know you were scared of it when you were mentally damaged but... it has to be worth a try.
Val speaks up loudly
NO! She flushes after that, embarrassed.
I mean no. He should stay here.
Dolgas the dwarven Councillor pipes up and says
Actually, it would not be wise for him to go. Ye see, He has suffered much, and his strength could give oot. But you lads and lasses are enough to deal with this, ah ken.
Hrm.. I understand... do you feel we could drag that medical robot out and have it heal Khonnair?
"Professor... I think Khonnir is in safe hands here - he has his daughter, he has friends around him and the Priest can surely see to his needs. We can think about bringing the 'medical robot' out later... But, for now, I suggest we concentrate on the matter at hand"
...and what's to stop the 'Lords of Rust' or whoever it is down there bringing forwards the 'Melt Down'...time is of the essence...
As if to emphasise her point, Sharae shoulders her bag and makes for the exit...
"Come on friends, what could be more fun than a dip in that refreshing water?", there is more than a hint of sarcasm in Sharae's voice...
Hrm... Genni, could you contact that medical robot remotely and ask it to walk through the pool? Anody says stroking his beard thoughtfully. Otherwise, I agree Sharae let's get back underground, we can just tell the robot to walk out and Val can gather it and take it back to the Forge.