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Kaska pats Fireday on the back. "Thank you Fireday. You have great courage."
"I think we have good reasons to pause here. We should try to start the power to this place. We also must send the air spirit home. It is important we keep our word."
She begins to look around the area for any hints on how to restore power.
Fireday shrugs, and his eyes show the smile beneath his new mask.
"It was nothing. Thank you!"
He nods at Holg and Kaska's words.
"If we have the power to do so, we should free Sahasho as soon as we have it, and then get to work."
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After spending several minutes in prayer, Gorum grants Holg the spell to send Sahasho back to the Plane of Air, that the elemental might find great battles rather than be stuck in a boring ruin for eternity. The grateful outsider thanks you once more before the magic banishes it from this plane of existence.
Examining the room again, Kaska discovers a hidden panel near the operator's station. Prying it open reveals a niche in the wall that contains five nanite canisters, a timeword nblack nanite hypogun with 7 charges, and a dart gun.
Kaska also remembers the exposed plates and cables in the northwest corner are an immense power conduit capable of accepting electrical charges. Two full batteries should be enough to restore power to the entire complex.
After installing the batteries, the floor begins to thrum with power. A few still-functioning lights in the ceiling flicker to life, filling the ruins with dim illumination. The doors now slide open with a touch rather than having to be manually forced open, and the displays in this chamber blink to life, indicating that the production lab and nanotech lab are functional once more. You are able to use the consoles to neutralize the toxic gas in the canisters as well!
"See you back in different circumstances" Holg says goodbye to Sahasho as his spell takes effect, proud the elemental will be able to fight more combats once more.
The Kellid hands a couple of batteries the party found in the pistol android to Kaska "Is this you need?" and picks up the canisters and other stuff while the others work on the electrical stuff.
He rises his head and looks at the lights surprised as the complex turns off all of a sudden "Wow! You made it!!! Well done!" he hugs the other ones around "Is this the neurocam then? Can we extract the information from here?"
"What will you do with the labs now Fireday?" Holg looks back at the warpriest.
Fireday bows to Sahasho as they return to their home plane, then helps Kaska with the repairs.
"I've picked up scraps of schematics and done enough tinkering over our journey that I feel confident enough to try and replicate some of these ancient designs from scrap, and I wanted to try building armor that could more effectively stand up to some of the weapons we've encountered, for one thing," he replies to Holg.
"Ah! I will help you Fireday! Although it would be cooler to see how you born a new cool sword" Holg examines the labs acknowledging there is still a lot of work to probably make use of the installations "Maybe we can work on this while we search what has been of Xoud and Casandalee"
Then turning to Kaska "Chief, it seems we have cleansed this place and saved Iadenveigh. Shall we inform the Council now?" and looking up "There in town maybe someone remembers Xoud and can tell us where is his home or where did he come from. An we would do good use of selling to the villagers all this stuff we have found in here"
Fireday's face is hidden by the new mask, but the frown is clear in his eyes.
"We're not done yet, Holg. We've cleared that room, but what lies beyond it? Those malformed androids had to come from somewhere, and now that we've started re-awakening this place there's more risk that this place will keep making more of them. In order to make sure Iadenveigh is truly safe, we need to find this...creche-forge thing...and make sure that it's truly no longer active."
The idea of returning briefly to Iadenveigh sounds nice to Kaska, but she has to agree with Fireday.
"I think we must expect the machine making the androids is still working, maybe more than before now with the power on. I don't want to leave and come back to find out we have to retake rooms we already hold down here."
"Until we're sure that... forge?... is shut down. We must stay. Let's find a place we can easily defend and rest there for a while."
"Mmm... yes. Of course, you are right. As always I fail to realize of things. But luckily your mind is here to backup my arm" Holg smiles wide in satisfaction at both Fireday and Kaska.
The Kellid approaches the forging lab machine and casts magic weapon on his greatsword. Without much words he raises the sword and discharges the blunt of his adamantine heavy blade on the top of the machine. Assuming the metal breaks and no one stops him, he raises the sword and discharges another swing on the maching, mauling all metallic plates, circuits, buttons, mechanical arms and conveyor belts. The Cleric synchronizes his attacks with some destruction prayers to Gorum.
The man smiles back at his companions "Do you think that will suffice?"
"Oh, you Kaska said something about Xoud having a tower in a place named Smokewood" Holg saves back his sword into his back "We can ask at town for indications to that tower or at least the forest. Casandalee and his neurocam must be there, or at least Xoud should know something about the android and the information she uncovered"
Viv folds her arms, then shrugs. "Seems all right to me. Let's get a bit of rest and follow up on Xoud if everything here seems to be in order. Great work, everyone. This has gone really well."
Holg cheers up with Viv's reassurance "Yes! Let's go back into the tavern and have some drinks Viv. I have heard these farmers make some strong spirits from corn. And we can also have some fun. They might have a board or card game here"
"I am amenable to card games," says the android perkily. "Or any sort of entertainments that you might propose. Perhaps you could arm-wrestle a few of them!"
"Mmm... yes. Of course, you are right. As always I fail to realize of things. But luckily your mind is here to backup my arm" Holg smiles wide in satisfaction at both Fireday and Kaska.
The Kellid approaches the forging lab machine and casts magic weapon on his greatsword. Without much words he raises the sword and discharges the blunt of his adamantine heavy blade on the top of the machine. Assuming the metal breaks and no one stops him, he raises the sword and discharges another swing on the maching, mauling all metallic plates, circuits, buttons, mechanical arms and conveyor belts. The Cleric synchronizes his attacks with some destruction prayers to Gorum.
The man smiles back at his companions "Do you think that will suffice?"
Fireday's eyes widen at Holg's not-so-blunt attempt at disabling the place.
"I doubt it's that simple, Holg. What I meant was I think we're not done exploring this place."
"Arm-wrestling! Such a cool idea Viv!" Holg opens wide his eyes "Would you want to play one with me? You might also show some of your tricks. Making fly glasses or torches in fire juggling!"
Holg looks around defeated when Fireday says the job is not completed "Oh. Well. I... thought. Ok! No problem Fireday! I will follow you! Where are we exploring next?!" the man follows up Fireday covering him as good as he can.
"Let's check out the area I went in with the suit. Now that we all can go in there, you might spot something I missed."
He leads the way in and takes a look around.
Holg thoroughly wrecks the android creche-forge, ensuring that no more of the twisted creatures will be created here.
You thoroughly search the gas containment chambers, as well as the rest of the ruined complex, but you don't discover anything else of interest or value. It seems you have completely explored this facility.
As the group finishes the search Holg pats Fireday shoulder "It seems we are definitely done here. Good job!" the Kellid yawns tired of the hard day of work "Let's go inform the council. Then tavern time!"
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Once the group is in front of the Council, Holg tosses one of the large wrecked engineering pieces to their feet "It seems this was what was poisoning your people. The gas was filtering from a ship that probably everyone forgot once that crashed into the lands"
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The council members are quite impressed at your victory. "Well done!" says Ealdormann Gunnett. "The people of Iadenveigh owe you a great debt indeed. Please, accept this relic of Erastil with our thanks and blessings!"
You spend the evening reveling at the tavern before sleeping off the night's festivities. The next day, you awaken feeling refreshed. Reflecting on your latest experiences, you feel stronger and more capable of facing greater challenges to come.
"Thanks Ealdormann. This is a great peace of war art!" despite not being a sword Holg can appreciate the fine weapon offered by the Council "Will you take it Kaska? Or perhaps you Fireday?"
That evening in the tavern Holg will invite everybody to a round of drinks, that ecstatic he is about the recent triumph of the group "So what Viv, do you accept the arm wrestling contest?"
While the group remains in town, the Kellid will profit to ask the people who seems friendly about Xoud's tower "Do you know about a forest called Smokewood or Dreamwood?"
The locals tell Holg that the Smokewood is a dense forest. Its western edge lies about 50 miles from Iadenveigh, but no direct roads lead to this uncivilized woodland.
Fireday bows to the Council when they offer their thanks.
"I am honored by your praise, respected Elders. Iadenveigh will be safe from the Technic League's scrutiny for the future as well. The Badwater will no longer be bad."
"Thanks for the info! You are invited to a drinks round too!" Holg is enthusiast when the locals help them find their way to the Smokewood.
"There! That way! The Somekewood western edge is only 50 miles away" the Kellid suddenly remembers something "We almost run out of supplies. We need to buy a new wand of healing, and we can probably sell out many of the stuff we found so we can walk lighter"
Holg will look for a temple or shrine where to buy a new healing wand or at least some scrolls. Also he sells out all the equipment no one in the party claims out.
That evening in the tavern Holg will invite everybody to a round of drinks, that ecstatic he is about the recent triumph of the group "So what Viv, do you accept the arm wrestling contest?"
"What, me? I thought I said you should arm wrestle some of the local farmers. You know, the ones who have to haul cattle out of the mud and carry around bales of hay all day. I wouldn't be a challenge at all," says Viv. "I'll do it if you want, but it would be quick and not very fun."
"Came on, don't be shy. I have seen you lift a portcullis just yourself. Let me see that hidden strength!" Holg mostly ignores the farmers and prefers to sit with Viv, although he is happy to wrestle with the farmers if they come to try.
Fireday says nothing about the arm-wrestling competition, but watches with bemusement.
Viv sits and says, "All right, let's do this!" She rolls up her short sleeve and puts one elbow on the table.
"Just so you know, my kinetic power, which let me lift that portcullis, doesn't let me lift or control creatures. Just objects."
She flexes her fingers and waits for Holg to join the match.
Coen slumps into his chair at the bar, and magically removes the dirt from his clothes before ordering whatever works from the barkeep.
He keeps his eye on the action but otherwise seems to just be tired.
Holg eyes brighten up, the man sits in front of Viv and places her hand symmetrically opposite to hers "This is going to be fun! Don't pull back your tricks Viv!" the Kellid takes Viv's hand strongly and smiles, looking at the table expecting it will comb soon or do something else "Ok. Coen, you seem just too bored out there. Why don't you give the start signal!"
"Unfortunately my 'tricks' won't let me kinetically pressure your arm," says Viv wryly. She takes Holg's hand, waits for the agreed-upon nod, then grimaces as she pushes with her arm and leans into it, trying to bring her miniscule strength to bear against Holg.
"Noodle-like" would be an apt description.
Holg puts all his strength on the push, crashing Viv's arm against the table. The man jumps back surprised "Oh! Sorry about that! Are you ok?"
The Kellid inspects Viv's hand truthfully concerned "Maybe I took you by surprise. Perhaps we should try again"
As the demonstration comes to an end the man considerably affected insists to help the android "I think you can become a great warrior Viv. You just need a bit more attitude on there. Maybe I can help you train. Some early day exercises can make good results here"
Before leaving, the cleric will sell items and buy a couple wands of healing, and scrolls of remove curse, lesser restoration and remove blindness.
Fireday winces as Holg soundly beats Viv in the arm-wrestling competition.
"Not really much for arm-wrestling myself...when knights engage in contests of strength, it tends to be more about sparring and the occasional joust for those of us with horses."
"Ooof!" says Viv as Holg slams her arm to the table so hard that the android is forced up out of her chair. "I told you, my strength is in the aether - and I can't really use it on you without hitting so hard it'll break something!"
Viv readjusts her violet hair and says, "Regardless. You all seem to have the swordfighting down. I'm not terribly worried about it."
"What is our next task? With the pollution here stopped we have won the trust of the locals, at least partially... so..."
By the looks of it, it seems Holg struggles to understand what is it about the aether, but at some point he just relaxed and smiles "Ok, I just know you are so strong you can punch things without touching them, just by the strength of your mind. That seems more stronger than I will ever be "
"Yes, we must now look for Xoud and discover what did he do about Casandalee and her neurocam. We have to walk northwest to the Charwood once the group is ready, Holg recovers the party heavy horse and takes it with them as they walk to the location signaled by the farmers.
As the group walks in the direction of the forest Holg takes opportunity to talk with the others in the party "If Casandalee was still dead, why were Hellion and the Lords of Iron still looking for her?"
The Kellid walks with his greatsword hanged on the back and pulling from the heavy horse reins.
Fireday follows and strokes his newly bemasked chin.
"Hellion was directing his Lords of Rust to seek power and information he could use against someone...or someTHING...called Unity, his creator. Hellion wanted power because he wanted to be free, and from what it sounds like, Casandalee was made in a similar way, who escaped before Hellion did. Hellion sought his "sister" probably to find out how she was able to elude Unity for so long, and this "neurocam" thing may have been a way of preserving that information to be interrogated."
Coen politely applauds the test of strength, then returns to people watching and nursing his drink. His clothes slowly change to more closely match those of the locals as time goes on.
In response to the planning for the trip to Charwood to search for Xoud he perks up.
"What do we know of the Charwood? Any dangers common to the area that we should prepare for like poisons or monsters that turn people to stone? It will be our last chance to buy anything special before we leave, I'd hate to run into another situation where a scroll or potion would save a life and not have any handy.
"Indeed. Especially one for banishing outsiders in case we run into other such beings ensnared by our enemies' magics."
Holg agrees to check with the locals as the group moves out of town "Let's talk with the people in this farm, they probably know about the woods ahead. Hey! You farmer! What dangers can we find in the Charwood? Are there any interesting enemies to fight?"
Before leaving Iavendeigh Holg will go into Erastil's shrine and look if in addition to the wands of healing they have available a couple of scrolls of Remove paralysis, blidness/deafness, curse, delay poison and restoration, and following Fireday's advise, a dismissal scroll. The Kellid pays from the party funds they made by selling all kind of stuff looted on the spaceship.
"I do think you Fireday should hold one copy of each scroll, while I will carry the other copy. Same for the wand" he looks at Coen too "Perhaps you wish to handle the dismissal scroll?"
The farmers shrug when Holg asks them about the Smokewood. "That's the one with that tower, ain't it? There's always smoke rising from it. You can see it from here on days when the weather's clear. Not sure what sort of critters might be living in the woods, aside from the usual robots and beasties that roam the countryside. Best be careful!"
It takes about four days to make your way across the trackless hills outside of Iadenveigh to reach the western edge of the Smokewood. The desne forest has thick undergrowth and a tangled canopy, but your destination can be clearly seen. The top of the so-called Choking Tower rises above the surrounding trees, a clear landmark with which to navigate.
A wide trail seems to have been recently stomped into the woods by heavy footfalls. You could see where it leads or push through the undergrowth to head directly to the tower.
"Thanks man! It is good news that robots and beast roam the site!" the Kellid starts heating up on the thought of a good combat.
-----------------
Holg stops to inspect the strange heavy footfalls "So, we have to decide here. Undergrowth or the straight path. But if we take the undergrowth we might end up losing a great fight opportunity" the man draws his greatsword and starts some war prayers casting magic vestment and defending bone in his armor "We take the fight road, isn't it?"
"I could always fly up and see what I can spot from above," notes Viv.
At Viv's statement that she can fly up, Fireday's eyes widen with wonder.
"I saw you jump over us while fighting those robots below the wreckage" Holg fiuss while looking at the marks " That was pretty amazing Viv and would be cool to see it again so we get an insight. I will go fight whatever it is "
Viv floats up into the air to scout the path ahead. After several hundred feet, she sees a crude camp that consists of three enormous leantos made of logs and sheets of canvas. Among the simple tents is a fire pit and a charred boar stuck on a spit. A metal wheel is jammed onto one end of the spit. To the north, a square of tree branches wedged into the ground form a makeshift pen. At the west end of the camp, a few twisted metal plates stick out from between several large rocks. A pair of hulking hill giants sit by the fire pit, tearing chunks from the boar and popping them into their mouths. Both seem to have recent injuries.
The path continues past this camp.
Viv lifts into the air gently and whisks away on invisible strands of aether, only to return a few minutes later.
"I see some giants ahead - at least two," she says. "They've been in a scrap recently. They have a camp with some ruined techno-bits nearby. They may or may not be willing to talk, hard to say - they were too busy eating for me to catch any conversation."
"I don't know what kind of giants they were. Hunched over, messy, blocky."
Holg observes how Viv takes air and then as elegantly as a dancer descends back into the ground "You are the true ballerina of the air Viv!"
The Kellid quickly raises her sword when the android explains herself "Giants! That's a great fight ahead!" and starts walking forward in the search of the giants.
"What...WERE they eating, Viv? Whoever they had that scrap with may be who they're eating..." Fireday asks, a grimace clear in his eyes.
"Boar. They were tearing hunks off of it," she says. "I could see the remains, so it wasn't human."
Holg leads the way down the path, and after a few minutes, you reach the camp that Viv described. The two giants notice your approach and rise to their feet. Though they hunch over, they still stand nearly 10 feet tall, their filthy fur clothing bespeaking a brutish and backwoods lifestyle.
"Hey, youse little 'uns!" one bellows in broken Common. "Youse wanna help us? Dere's a big metal monster deeper in the woods what killed our brudders and sissers. If'n you can go and wreck it, wese be rewarding youse!"
Holg downs his sword when the giants speak. He looks a bit silly to be fair "Ah! I came here to fight you Giants. But if there is a metal thing that defeated you in combat, I want to fight it better! How far is this thing exactly? How does it fight?"