(mostly watching Molly and then deciding not to do what she did)
Molly pays no attention to the amorous display taking place nearby as she pulls an oily rag from her bag and wipes down her musket, muttering to herself.
"I'd like to see 'em try to take it from me."
"I... think we are no longer fighting Voltine" Holg laughs and still staring at Viv and holding her by the waist, he ignores the other eyes around and adds "Was that just rage what you felt? I was fearing you could feel nothing. I am a bit confused too"
"I don't know," says Viv. "I imitate what I see, but I do not think that I have 'feelings' quite the same way that other people do."
"This seems a strange time to pursue physical intimacy. Perhaps it was a result of the exchange of words causing strife, which I have observed is a central form of fulfillment for you."
The android passively remains in Holg's casual grasp, taking no action to move away.
(mostly watching Molly and then deciding not to do what she did)
Fifteen in contrast observes the exchange closely, her head cocked to one side in an analytical expression. She seems to be trying to understand what is going on, and having little more success than Viv.
"I see" Holg's chin goes down while he maintains the closeness for some more time "But it felt so... natural. I do not know if you were imitating but copying is some kind of learning, isn't it?"
After some more time and feeling the eyes of Fifteen and Kaska upon them, Holg takes a long breath "It is getting dark. Staying here is dangerous. Perhaps we should trace back our steps to Paeytr's Orchard, he will probably not mind for us making the night at his cave. That way we do not need to bother Longdreamer"
"Anywhere but here," Molly says, speaking up. She shoves the rag into her backpack and reaches up to tug on Fifteen's hand. "C'mon. There's nothing you'll learn watching those two that I can't teach ya. They're doing it all arseways anyhow."
Isuma has been silent as you interact with the androids. Her expression is inscrutable as she looks at Holg and Viv, but she nods in agreement as to taking a rest. You make your way back to Paeytr's cave. The horticulturalist happily allows you to spend the night there. The night passes without incident, and you awaken feeling refreshed.
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"Most androids do not have 'feelings' the way that other people do. At least, that is what I am told. As I am not a psychic, I am not capable of 'knowing' someone else's experiences," explains Viv.
"A few androids, like Fireday, seem to learn how to have emotions. I'm not certain of how that works. Is he just better than I am at copying them? Or does he have real feelings? I do not know."
"This raises questions about what 'real' feelings are, but they are probably actually relevant."
"I can offer you physical comfort if you wish, but I do not experience or understand 'love,' as it has been described to me. I am sorry if this hurts your feelings."
~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning Viv is her usual unflappable self as she rearranges her hair and brushes off her medical tools, then sets up her jagged little metal shards for throwing.
"What is our next destination?"
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Kaska looks for the place most extreme in distance from Holg and Viv she can find to settle down for the night, just in case more awful things happen.
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Fireday is about to engage in a philosophical discussion with Viv about what they've just encountered before Holg decides to make things even MORE awkward, causing the poor warpriest to gape in shock.
"I...uh...I think I feel...I mean, I've never NOT felt that stuff...maybe it was just that I formed bonds with people and experienced trauma pretty quickly after awakening along with my training after...I'mgoingtojustleaveyoualonesorry!"
That night he joins Kaska at the far end of the camp, but also tries to keep his own distance from Kaska so as not to bother her.
The next morning he says his prayers and joins the others as they plan their next move.
"I do not understand, but I accept it" Holg remains quite while he listens Viv trying to justify herself and a bit more afterwards "So this is... a smart cold head and a dumb warm heart here entangled together" the Kellid gives her a hug and then starts walking pulling her from the hand "Let's go, the others are already making their way"
Despite the awkward moment Holg seems in good mood and smiling as he walks again in the forward line of the group.
Once at the Orchard though he collects some vegetables and looks for Viv's company again, offering the food for eating as an excuse to approach. That night it takes a bit for the Kellid to get slept, but looking at the stars once again, he falls slept making sure both Viv and his blade are close by.
-------------------------------
The next morning Holg wakes up and performs his daily prayers kneeling with his sword towards the mountain as usual. Later, he joins with the others, taking another carrot and an apple for breakfast, he answers to Vivi "Mmm... do not know, there was that Hive we have to destroy, but Isuma suggested before we first explore the vessel with which the Dominion crashed in this region. Could you guide us there today Isuma?"
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As they walk along, Molly gives Fifteen a wink and jogs on up to walk next to Holg for a bit.
She reaches up and pats him on the hip before trotting back to jog next to her love.
Isuma leads you west along the main length of the Scar of the Spider. After a couple hours, as you travel through the woods surrounding the gorge’s central river, a man approaches. His small horns, tattoolike birthmarks, and his brimstone-scented breath unmistakably identify him as a tiefling.
”Hail, adventurers! I am Hyrsek Caio. I am scouting this gorge, but I have found it a dangerous place. You seem to have a large company, and there is safety in numbers. Perhaps I could travel with you, if you’ll have me?”
"I shall admit the sight of you and Fifteen renewed my hope. When she came so close, I could hardly think, until I realized she was casting some feelings on me" Holg smiles at the bold halfling "I do not know where this will go, but I feel lighter today, like if I had removed a heavy weight I was not truly conscious of"
Holg returns the friendly pat by touching the halfling on the shoulder.
For most of the trip Holg advances in the front line, checking the map of Numeria as they advance and trying to find a clear way trough the water and surrounding vegetation.
The Kellid is surprised by the apparition of the tiefling "I see some horns on you. Are you a demon or a devil? We do not like those, neither the Technique League or Unity agents. Are you any of those?"
Hyrsek chuckles. ”I have devil's blood, but I am no fiend myself, sir. Just a tiefling. And while the Technic League has hired me, I am not one of their agents. Merely an independent contractor. I am just here to scout this place out as a region for possible future expeditions.”
Holg doesn’t sense any falsehoods.
Fifteen simply watches the conversation, something inside her is suspicious of the tiefling. His presence seems too convenient.
"I calculate that the odds of Hyrsek arriving on us by chance would be less than 9,000 to 1." She whispers to Molly. "Should we trust him?"
Kaska doesn't like the idea of Hyrsek hang around, but she also doesn't like the idea of letting him out of their sight. Killing him is an option, but she's not quite prepared to do it out of hand.
"Yes, we have numbers, and therefore offer safety. What do you offer us?"
"Well, Paetyr told us about a dark man asking questions about the Technique League" Holg turns towards the tiefling "I am akin to trust someone honest enough to admit having devil's blood and being contracted by the Technique League in front of a group that said being against that. You seem someone brave and I respect that"
"Is that the reason the Technique League hired you? To scout the region? If so what have you discovered so far?" then the Kellid grasps his sword and confesses "Although if you came to fight, I would be happy to oblige myself"
”I am skilled with blade and bow. You will find me a valuable asset in combat,” Hyrsek says to Kaska.
He turns to Holg. ”Indeed, the League hired me to scout out this area. There is a cave filled with strange fungus creatures north of here, and to the west some sort of crashed alien vessel. A large swamp lies to the south and another cave complex lies beyond that. But I have been reluctant to face the dangerous denizens of any of these places by myself. Together, I am sure we can achieve victory!”
This guy seems legitimate to Fifteen and Kaska!
Fifteen shrugs, it isn't her call to make.
Molly leans in closer to Fifteen and whispers, "I trust him about as far as I can throw him."
Fireday's grip on his battlestaff audibly tightens and he glares at Hyrsek.
"You're a very...very brave man to be honest about your ties to the Technic League. If the rest of the Torchbearers are willing to trust you, I will not lay a hand on you," he says, then points at the man. "But if you turn on us, even think about telling your employers about us, I won't hesitate to kill you where you stand."
When Fireday seems ok with it, Holg is reassured. The Kellid just shrugs "Ok, then. We were heading to the crashed vessel, but if that cave to the north is that close, maybe we can have a look at it. What do you hope to find there?"
Since there seem to be no objections from anyone else Kaska will not raise any either.
"Fine then, you can come with us. But never forget I will have my eye on you."
”I hope to not find something that will kill me,” Hyrsek says wryly. ”Beyond that, there is nothing in particular I am looking for. Whatever we discover will go into my report. Lead the way.”
He bows politely and gives Kaska a toothy smile.
With the tiefling in tow, you head north to investigate the fungal caves. As you travel and reflect on your recent battles, you feel stronger and better prepared for the challenges to come.
The rocky wall of the valley rises abruptly, swaths of green mold clinging to the broken surfaces. A few mold-encrusted trees and tangles of brambly undergrowth decorate the region—one particularly large patch nearly obscures a single cave entrance at the cliff base.
Kaska answers Hyrsek's smile with a dark stinky glare as she passes him.
As they approach the cave entrance, Kaska tries to assess whether the mold poses any risk.
The mold here gives off spores that could prove hazardous if you breathe them in for long periods of time.
"Just some spores... if the radiation in the vegetables did not kill me this will not kill me either" before approaching Holg readies his long lasting spells: greater magic weapon, magic vestment and defending bone.
"Some drinks to sharpen the boldness?" as the group decides what to do the Kellid transforms some water into wine, drinks it willingly and passes it by for those who want to share.
Once ready Holg approaches the cave and has a look at it.
"I can eliminate some of this mold," says Viv, "but the spores will remain for... some time. If we're going in, we will have to be careful of getting sick from breathing too much of the spore dust in the air. It'll settle in the lungs and grow mold in there, causing an infection that will give you a cough and a fever. Fortunately if that does happen, Holg's magic can probably clear it up. I could probably deal with it via medical treatment as well."
Viv takes an odd stance on one leg, the other drawn up slightly with the knee bent and the raised foot pointed toe-down and nearly pressed against her standing leg - somewhat like a ballerina - and draws her arms into a circle shape to her side. Her hair and her long coat flutter slightly in an aetheric wind, and then a thin lance of telekinetic energy bursts forth as she lunges forward and points - visible only because of the odd disturbance that it leaves in the air. A patch of the mold takes the hit and simply vanishes, completely disintegrated - the aether tearing it apart on a fundamental level.
As Viv starts clearing away the mold, three hulking mounds of rotting vegetation and slime rise up from around the cave entrance. Tangled vines whip about as they begin to shamble towards you!
"Shambling mounds!" shouts Viv. "Don't use electrical weapons!"
She keeps on her balanced crane-like stance, rising slightly in the air (her toes pointing down as she leaves the ground), and her arms swirl in circling motions as she draws up more aetheric power to launch at them.
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One side of Molly's mouth curls up into a smirk. "So what yer sayin' is that I should just shoot 'em?" she questions as she raises her musket and fires. "I think I might just do that."
Fireday quietly accepts Holg's offer of wine, and watches as Viv blows the mold away.
"Should have kept that mask," he comments idly before they're attacked by the shambling mounds!
He prepares for the fight to come by casting channeling Iomedae's fervor to immediately cast ironskin on himself, followed by casting bull's strength the old-fashioned way.
Fifteen waits for Molly to shoot first and then closes in on the halfling's target.
Kaska urges her friends on to ascend to the heights of plant destruction.
Molly shoots one of the shamblers several times, then Fifteen finishes it off with a slice of her blade. The other two assault the android, but she dodges their grasping vines!
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"They're tougher 'n I thought they'd be," Molly mutters to herself as she reloads and fires at the next one.
"Damn! she spits out as her musket misfires again.
"Gorum make my charge bold!" using his mastery in war Holg gains Mobility then charges on any available plant, facing any attack of opportunity their reach might warrant.
With all his strength the Kellid delivers a vital strike on the plant while letting his rage surge through Kaska's inspiring song!
Fireday joins in, swinging at the closest one!
With the shambling mounds conveniently staying within melee range Fifteen takes a long stride forwards and starts pruning.
"I am trying Fifteen, let's dance around it!" Holg keeps lashing and blocking the reeds as they come.
Fireday and Holg join the battle, slicing at the shamblers. Molly shoots the one that they wounded, and it goes down. Fifteen turns her attention to the final shambler, cutting into it several times. Then Viv blasts it with aetheric force, and the plant monster crumbles into a pile of ash as she disintegrates it!
Hyrsek lets out a low whistle. "Wow. They always this efficient?" he asks.
Isuma nods silently.
"Yes we are. Always."
There's an undercurrent of warning as Kaska puts her unused falx away.
"Ah, nice warm up!" Holg moves forward to the cave entrance and observes the green mold. Suddenly remembering Viv was to work on it before they were interrupted he stops and looks back at the android.
The Kellid waits for Viv to clean the mold with her superpowers while he holds the greatsword up high "As we kellids say... 'Step first with your spear'"
"Probably I should strengthen my defenses before going in" using the rod to cast extended shield of faith before we go in.
Molly nods in satisfaction as the last plant creature goes down. She takes a moment to clear the misfire in her musket before reloading.
Once Viv has cleared the mold, Holg leads the way forward. A set of six humanoid ribcages, stained red by ragged scraps of clinging meat and hanging from cords like a grisly row of unlit chandeliers, adorn the ceiling of this widened tunnel. The unmistakable odor of rotting flesh mingles with the fetid stink of the soupy swamp water covering the cave passage’s floor.
The swampy water in this cave corridor is 2 feet deep, the stone bottom slick with (harmless) green slime. Close examination of the ribcages reveals that the bones are held together by artfully woven plant fiber— someone obviously put a great deal of effort to prepare this macabre ornamentation. The ceiling climbs to a height of 20 feet in the last 15 feet of the north corridor where the passage appears to end at a wall. However, closer inspection reveals a ledge opening (8 feet across and 2 feet high) about 15 feet above that leads deeper into the cave complex, heading both west and east.
The swampy water in this cave corridor is 2 feet deep, ...
"Someone's got a bit o' a twisted sense of style," Molly comments as she gazes up at the decorations. With the water ahead, she places her shooting gear and musket into her magical backpack and pulls out the fancy rife they discovered earlier.
"I'm not the best swimmer, so be ready with a hand if I go under, ok?" she whispers as an aside to Fifteen as she eyes the water warily.
"Something that collects and arranges cadavers?" says Viv questioningly as she examines the bones. She steps carefully out to the edge of the water and then rises a few inches above it.
"There's a ledge up here. I can float people to it one at a time, if we want to examine it," she says, indicating the ledge above. "We'd probably have to crawl in, though."