Rhangil stands and bows to Dolga Freddert. "Thank you for helping us Councilor Freddert." He turns and skips excitedly out of the room following the others. "I can't wait to get my hands on that automaton! Studying new tech is amazing!"
Θ3Ξ5 follows its fellows out of the building, watching Rhangil's excited skipping with interest. "Is this "excitement"? This one does not think it is "fear/dread". Is one supposed to feel excitement at the unknown?
"Will you continue to speak for the group Master Takek, Mistress Valka? You two appear to have some skill with it. This one has a lack of such skills. The relations of the non-constructed still confuse this one. It is appreciated."
Rhangil stands and bows to Dolga Freddert. "Thank you for helping us Councilor Freddert." He turns and skips excitedly out of the room following the others. "I can't wait to get my hands on that automaton! Studying new tech is amazing!"
Valki Valka gave him a suspicious look, chewing over his words for a moment. Then she nodded. "Studying to destroy, is it not so?"
"Will you continue to speak for the group Master Takek, Mistress Valka? You two appear to have some skill with it. This one has a lack of such skills. The relations of the non-constructed still confuse this one. It is appreciated."
The Kellid woman shrugged. "Your words have been wise enough so far. But it is true that my Husband has a gift with words. If he would wish to stop you from speaking, that would be an entertaining fight to watch." She smiled brightly, as though suggesting that the group duel to speak were a great joke.
Kellid humor. ;P
The Kellid woman shrugged. "Your words have been wise enough so far. But it is true that my Husband has a gift with words. If he would wish to stop you from speaking, that would be an entertaining fight to watch." She smiled brightly, as though suggesting that the group duel to speak were a great joke.
Takek gave his wife a quirked eyebrow, but his smile stayed broad.
"I have found that words can be almost as useful as a strong sword arm or an accurate eye with a bow," Takek said to Θ3Ξ5, in answer to its question. "After all, even The Lord in Iron knows that you cannot physically force another to think they way you might wish them to. So, I try to use all of the weapons at my disposal."
Takek shrugged.
"I can speak for the group in situations where it is appropriate."
Felix has to walk at double pace to keep up with his more long-legged companions. "I have no complaints if Valki Valka or Takek wish to speak for us," Felix adds. He fidgets with his wraps as he walks, ensuring that they were as tight as possible.
The gnome raises his eyebrows in surprise at Valki's insistence on destroying technology. "I should hope not. There is much and more to be learned from those artifacts."
Valki Valka gave him a suspicious look, chewing over his words for a moment. Then she nodded. "Studying to destroy, is it not so?"
"Not entirely. Where there is one automaton there are probably more, so the more we know about how they work the easier it'll be to destroy them, I guess. But, tech is so interesting! I don't destroy it unless there is no other way."
"Much may be learned from studying this automaton, especially about how others like it may be neutralized. However, it is important to remember that not all automata are to be mistrusted. Else how would this one fare?"
The Kellid frowned, considering the words of her companions. Then she growled impatiently. "Bah. Philosophy is the province of my Husband. I will trust to know evil when I see it, and see what separates it from useful tools." She swiped at the air irritably, as if to knock puzzling ideas away. Then she grinned. "And there is only one good way to deal with evil."
Dolga Freddert nods grimly, and wishes good fortune to you all as you leave the conference room. You head west through town, passing through the Market Square. There isn't much activity this late in the day, especially with the flame gone out, but there are still some vendors plying there wares.
You walk down the streets of Torch, past it's many steel-roofed stone buildings, and note that a significant amount of waste and refuse has built up in the streets, even more so in the alleyways and spaces between buildings. More than a few rats can be seen moving in the darker passes, and flies are a noticeable nuisance. Those of you familiar to the area know that this is not normal.
You come to the Foundry Tavern, and see a sign hung on the door. Temporarily Closed. Sorry for the Inconvenience. As you stop to think about the reason for the sign, a scream followed by a crashing noise can be heard from somewhere behind it and the foundry that gives it its name.
Θ3Ξ5 notices the detritus building up around the town and the empty stalls at the market as they pass. "This town depends on the Torch,and. If it cannot be relit, this one expects that many will be forced to leave. Those who do not have somewhere else to do will probably perish." It shifts its attention to the rubbish piles. "They will probably perish from disease before starvation. Although if no one is able to keep Crowfeather Palace operating, then dehydration or poison will be the primary cause of death. This one wonders how many lives would be lost." Θ3Ξ5 says all of this with no hint of sadness or concern.
As they approach the Foundry Tavern the commotion gets Θ3Ξ5's attention. "There is something going on in the back. Could the Ropefists be causing trouble at Master Baine's doorstep while he is missing?"
Θ3Ξ5 notices the detritus building up around the town and the empty stalls at the market as they pass. "This town depends on the Torch,and. If it cannot be relit, this one expects that many will be forced to leave. Those who do not have somewhere else to do will probably perish." It shifts its attention to the rubbish piles. "They will probably perish from disease before starvation. Although if no one is able to keep Crowfeather Palace operating, then dehydration or poison will be the primary cause of death. This one wonders how many lives would be lost." Θ3Ξ5 says all of this with no hint of sadness or concern.
Valki Valka's nose wrinkled at the detritus. She could only shake her head in wonderment; how had these people survived for so long, soft as they were? The armor that was the Torch had disappeared only to reveal the town's soft, flabby belly, ready to be gutted by cruel reality.
"A large number, I would expect," she said curtly in answer, watching one of the coddled children of the town play in the dirt. It twisted her heart to think that the children would pay for the townsfolk's folly - and their ill fortune. Children were always hostages to their parents' odd views. She scowled and strode a bit faster.
As they approach the Foundry Tavern the commotion gets Θ3Ξ5's attention. "There is something going on in the back. Could the Ropefists be causing trouble at Master Baine's doorstep while he is missing?"
"Let's find out!" Valki Valka drew her sword and charged around the corner!
In response to Valki Valka and Θ3Ξ5's conversation, Rhangil's hands tighten into fists as he grits his teeth, a flame of anger and motivation sparks in his eyes. I a stern, commanding tone."We're gunna make sure no one dies or has to leave town. The flames of Torch are gunna be re-lit, one way or another."
"Let's find out!" Valki Valka drew her sword and charged around the corner!
"No time like the present, I guess!" Rhangil draws his rapier and implement rod as he runs after Valki Valka.
You make your way to the back to a smaller homestead behind the main buildings. More noise can be heard from the inside, including a female voice exclaiming, "Oh crap! Crap crap CRAP!" followed by whirring noises, buzzes, and crashes. Then you see a stone brick ripped out of the wall from the inside.
Takek blinked as everyone tore off around the building. Eventually, he shook off his surprise and followed.
Θ3Ξ5 draws his longbow and nocks an arrow as he steps forward, calling out, "Your pardon Mistress, do you require assistance?"
Felix largely ignores the stench of Torch's streets, as his wraps cover his nose and muffle his sense of smell. It wasn't often that he was thankful for his condition, but based on the look on his companions' faces, now was one of those times.
Hearing the cry and the crashing from inside the Foundry, Felix holds a gloved hand in front of himself. Murmuring softly to himself, a shimmering coat of armor covers his body before disappearing. "What are Ropefists?" he asks as he follows the others forward.
Rhangil quickly approaches the door. "That doesn't sound good." As the brick is torn from the wall he opens the door.
Felix casts mage armor upon himself while Valki and Rhangil approach the building and Othes readies his bow. Valki, while attempting to sneak up to the window accidentally kicks a piece of debris on the ground, sending it flying backwards with a loud clattering.
Rhangil you open the door and see the same thing Valki does, an empty hallway with two doors ahead of you and a single one at the eastern end. You can hear that the sounds of chaos are coming off from that direction.
A voice calls out in response to Othes query, "What?!? YES PLEASE YES! THIS THINGS GONE BONKERS!" Another brick, next to the missing one begins to shudder, and is then violently ripped inwards.
That was enough confirmation for Valki Valka. She tore into the building, seeking whoever needed help - likely Khonnir's daughter.
Θ3Ξ5 hurries over to the rapidly growing hole in the wall. Using the missing bricks as an arrow slit, it looks down the shaft of the nocked arrow into the building, looking for a target.
Pulling his greatsword free of his back and calling upon the Lord in Iron, Takek brings forth a blessing of protection, then steps up to the window closer to the missing bricks.
HP: 11/11
Spells:
1st- 2/day
Mental Focus:
Evoc-2 points
Trans-3 points
Rhangil runs down the hall and opens the door.
With a flourish, he twirls his rod as circuit-like lines criss-cross it before a beam of eletricity arcs towards the thing.
** spoiler omitted **
Rhangil runs down the hall and opens the door.
With a flourish, he twirls his rod as circuit-like lines criss-cross it before a beam of eletricity arcs towards the thing. [dice=Electric Energy Ray]1d20+5; 1d6
Felix follows Rhangil into the building, wondering if the environment were too enclosed for a bomb. They would soon find out what was behind the door
From the window you see a young woman in a state of distress. He can make out violent motion off to the right, and see a pile of rubble against the wall behind it. Rhangil moves down the hallway, throws open the door ready to attack, but to his frustration only finds another door, and then Felix pops in behind him. Valki storms in as well.Othes peers through the hole and sees mechanical arms flailing about, trying to find purchase on another brick. He reacts quickly and fires an arrow into the opening but can't quite line up the angle.
Rhangil is about to curse his the gods of doors when the on across from him opens up to reveal a young blonde woman. She says "Thank the stars! I think it's trying to disassemble the house! I don't have any way to stop it!" and she steps aside to reveal an automaton violently pulling apart the wall one brick at a time. The thing appears to be in rather poor condition, with damaged looking limbs and exposed wires all over it. It rips out another brick and tosses it violently behind itself.
Takek frowned. There was little he could do from the window, so he stepped over to Θ3Ξ5 and whispered a prayer to Gorum, before touching the cloaked archer on one shoulder.
"Gorum grant you Strength in your purpose."
With a flourish, Rhangil twirls his rod as circuit-like lines criss-cross it before a beam of eletricity arcs towards the automaton.
Takek frowned. There was little he could do from the window, so he stepped over to Θ3Ξ5 and whispered a prayer to Gorum, before touching the cloaked archer on one shoulder.
"Gorum grant you Strength in your purpose."
[dice=Crit Confirm?]1d20+5
With a flourish, Rhangil twirls his rod as circuit-like lines criss-cross it before a beam of eletricity arcs towards the automaton.
After the female steps out way, Rhangil lets a powerful bolt of electricity fly from one of his implements. It strikes the machine directly on what appears to be its head, and it makes a shrieking noise and shakes violently. It flails about, still attempting to take apart the stonework but not nearly as effectively.
Θ3Ξ5 draws again and fires through the hole hoping to catch a better view of the target this time.
The machine is a threat to us and the building, Felix Nimbledigit. I suggest an immediate attack. The voice in his head was back. At least this time, Felix agreed with Oturu. As inscrutable as the being was, at least it cared about its own safety, and that meant Felix's as well. The gnome shoulders his light crossbow and fires a bolt at the automaton.
That was a poor shot, chides the intelligence.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Destruction!" Valki Valka's shout may have been about the demolition the robot was performing, or may have been her intent for the thing itself. Either way, she rushed the apparatus through the open doorways, swinging her sword wildly. A little too wildly; she accidentally struck the doorjamb, hacking off a piece of it rather than the robot.
Felix's bolt hits the automaton, but does not effectively penetrate the machine's metal plating. Meanwhile, Othes shoots another arrow through the hole, but his target moves at the last second and the attack misses. Valki charges in, swinging her sword just a bit to wildly and misses as well.
The robot reacts to the party's interference in its glitched out programming and bodychecks the barbarian woman shouting at it.
The girl in the hallway looks approvingly at Rhangil, saying, "Yes! Electricity! My Dad says they are vulnerable to it!"
Takek was caught in an unenviable position - he very much wished to be inside the building beside his wife, hammering away at the machine with his greatsword, and he keenly felt the blessing of his Lord protecting him, and also urging him to enter the fray. But he also suspected that he would not be able to get to his wife quickly enough to make a difference in this battle, and he knew that if he rushed to get to her, it would only look as though he was trying to rescue her in some way. An intent that his wife would not approve of, whether it was true or not.
So Takek was stuck outside, with Θ3Ξ5, and a damnably small hole in the wall, through which only one of them could reasonably make any sort of attack. And Θ3Ξ5's arrows were far more likely to be effective than Takek would have been, had he tried to ram his sword through the hole, or worse, tried to launch sling bullets through it.
Feeling the frustration, and having done what he could to assist Θ3Ξ5, Takek fell back on an old trick that he'd used in the past, and called forth a couple of gallons of water from thin air. Directly over the robot's head - or at least, that was his intended target - in the hopes that the water would distract the thing, giving Valki Valka an opening to land a more telling blow. Then he headed into the building.
[dice=Ranged Aid Another?]1d20
A huge smile crosses Rhangil's face. "Electricity is my specialty!" Rhangil runs up to Valki Valka's side. Electricity erupts around Rhangil's hand as he reaches out to the automaton.
Valki Valka recovered her balance and wiped blood seeping from the corner of her mouth away with her arm. The moment water gushed over the robot, she lunged forward again, laughing. Well did she know this trick!
"Well done!" she shouted to Rhangil as the smell of ozone and spitting sparks emanated from the robot where he had touched it. Then she aimed to lop the thing's body in half while it was distracted.
Rhangil reaches out and devastates the machine with his spell, followed by an excited Valki Valka smashing its remains with her greatsword. The girl leans around the doorway with a grin. "You must be kellid!"
Takek rounded the corner and came into the room - most definitely not in any hurry - giving the blonde girl a nod. The technically polite thing to do would probably have been to speak to the girl, but Takek had more important things on his mind. He reached his wife and, with a smile, grabbed her by the armor.
"There is blood on your lips, Wife." He leaned in to give his ferocious bride a kiss.
Θ3Ξ5 walks around the building and into the room. "Is this the automaton that was retrieved from under the hill?" It asks as it kneels down beside the fallen robot to examine it.
Rhangil walks over to the woman. "Val Baine, I presume? Are you alright?"
Felix walks over to retrieve his bolt while surveying the wreckage. The automaton looked typical to him; well as typical as anything found in the wastes of Numeria.
Oturu on the other hand...
Running diagnostic scan now, Felix Nimbledigit. the intelligence whispered into his ear. Suddenly, the gnome's vision swims with numbers and other, stranger symbols. The calculations behind the robot become apparent and Felix must put his weight on his staff to avoid collapsing under the surge of information.