Yvell walks to the hallway and goes through the double doors. He enters a circular room, with four sets of double doors (including the one behind him).
Yvell checks the room for anything special, dangerous or interesting and then continues west as that is a straight line back the way they came an hopefully connected.
Yvell sees nothing peculiar in this circular room.
He continues through the western door, and finds a short hallway.
There are double doors to the West, and double doors to the Southwest.
Yvell will look around in this room for a similar reason, to be wary, he grips his blade tight and then continues to travel west if possible.
It takes some strength for Yvell to slide open the double doors. On the other side is the large desk of blinking images and room from before. Turning around he notices that the darkness and a blanket of fungus has made it nearly impossible to see from this side.
The double doors slide nearly closed leaving a small sliver of light from the other side.
Val picks Khonnir up and follows Yvell. Always on guard.
Bran shifts both of the packs on his back for better feeling and follows Yvell as they make their way through other parts of the place.
Burnt One follows Derlin, drawing a lightning bug from nothingness and settling it into their greataxe.
Yvell seemed so concentrated in his task that he just noticed others had began to take his initiative and followed. When he turned around an almost surprised expression crossed his face, but eventually he simply folded his arms and pointed. " As I though the way is clear, Shall we get our innocent home so we can have someone look at him.. and drop of all this loot? "
Burnt One follows Derlin out through the lightning room and pauses just where the sand scrapes their feet, waiting for Yvell. They nod to Valtyra and Ibuki. "By the way, we have helped each other through fight and traps. I want to give you Burnt One's true name is Auehda."
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Derlin smiles kindly, "A fine name my friend. We have seen a great deal of things today, once we return I suggest we keep quiet the depths of our findings, if you catch my meaning. At least until we have a chance to explore it further. People, mostly those in league with the League, would be quick to claim this amazing find as their own." the missionary pauses, and the laughs.
"In league with the League. Dim Derlin strikes again!"
As the others in the group converse outside Yvell sighs, they were so ready to leave that they forgot both portions of this quest. Khonnir was safe however, and this filled him with happiness though he would not openly show it. Had this room not been listed when they entered and not seemed to have a connection, he too would have left it for later. But he was certain the Torch that created was connected someway to this. He took his card and opened the door to the 'Habitat Controls' Room and looked around before stepping in.
"Okay, but who is the League? Bad ones?" Auehda looks at the man on Valtyra's back. "We should tell him though. If he forgot."
Thanks for your trust Auehda, i´ll honor it.
Let´s get Khonnir back and see what´s wrong with him. We can come back and investigate the flame later. I have a bad feeling about these jinkins anyway. Perhaps we can feed the plant with them if we catch them.
The party begins trudging through the starless, moonless desert. It remains dull of temperature. As you make slower progress with Khonnir in tow, you don't wait for Yvell to catch up.
Yvell's keycard opens the red door despite not matching the color. He sees several strange machines with buttons, a circular table in the center of the room, and a purple and black crystal pillar encased in hardened glass. It pulsates and throbs, jagged black lightning strikes the sides of the enclosure. On one of the machines is a bright golden glowing panel and Androffan writing that says "reset."
You hear a clicking and buzzing through the walls. The room begins to buzz and whir. The circular table in the room flares with light and an image of the circular desert appears on it. Hovering over the desert is a blood moon and dark clouds. A sweltering heat floods into the room. The purple and black pillar flashes and pulsates.
The desert shakes. Above you, a bloody, crimson moon appears with dark clouds. A sweltering heat surrounds you causing your clothes to stick to your body. The shaking stops, and you are bathed in red light.
The party sees Yvell a ways back slowly reaching them with the gleam from his blade in the now present sun. He seems tired yet wears the expression of satisfaction as he approaches.
"Uh. Oh. Auehda hopes this doesn't mean monster time," the caster says, looking towards the moon.
When they spot Yvell, Burnt One yells, "Hi!"
Yvell weakly waves an arm in the air to signify he heard them. His approach eventually aligning that with the party where he begins to assist Valtyra, hesitantly, with carrying Baine. " I reset the Habitat controls.. Burnt One, was the torch about this hot? I think I may have solved an issue or two. BUT, the trek back is going to be terrible in this heat. I'll assist in carrying Baine if you get tired Valtyra. Let us hope we can fix him. OH and as I think on it, we should take the bodies we have found down here and make sure they have a proper burial and significant others notified. I don't wish them to become undead by some odd chance. "
Yvell will round up the bodies, making sure they are tied tightly with rope in a secure yet respectful way and even take on the most grotesque ones if anyone has an issue. He does so to ensure they make it back through the swim and then would try and report to the local coroner as well as Val and the original recruiter.
The rest of the journey back to Torch is uneventful. You make your way through the metal passage, now lit, past the desert. You also do not encounter anything new on the way back.
Swimming is difficult with the corpses. Using rope to haul them makes it a bit easier. You reach Torch and the position of the sun makes it look like it is lunch time.
As Yvell crested the surface again his eyes did not have to strain as much do to the Sun being created below, but it still winced. He was glad they made it somewhat safely, thought there was a time where Auehda almost dropped Parda's corpse. When he reaches Torch Yvell goes in the shortest path to the main recruitment office stopping only to do two things, get the bodies identified and set up to have their families notified. When they eventually walk into the Recruiter's office Yvell speaks up, " We have found Khonnir Baine.. as you see he is alive, but not quite well. Though Im not to sure on the Skymetal Torch as of yet. "
The beetles and frog are nowhere to be seen.
As you make your way to the recruitment office, you see that Black Hill is still not glowing with violet light--the torch is still unlit. A man at the recruiter's office tells you to go directly to the Town Hall.
Dolga Freddert, dwarven Councillor of Torch, is still the only person of note inside, signing papers with a reckless speed. She looks up and is about to let out a grumpy expression when her eyes fall on Khonnir.
"By Brigh, you found him?" She turns to a clerk, "Go summon Councilman Kyte at once."
After several minutes, an old man holding a strange staff and mask, enters the room. He moves towards Khonnir, checks the body for damage, and starts casting magic into the wizard's weakened frame.
"There was something strange in his body and brain, small little metallic creatures slowing chipping away at him, keeping him from recovering his capacities. I'll need more time, as the damage is very severe if I am to heal him. I can only cast Lesser Restoration a few times a day." He motions to other clerks and servants in the Town Hall. They pick him up and take him to Khonnir's house near the Foundry Tavern.
Dolga pushes several bags of gold and a scroll to the front of her desk. "Here's your reward for finding Khonnir. I hope that he makes a quick recovery. He is an essential part of Torch, and there are still many problems that need to be taken care of."
Opening the bags, you find 4000 gp.
Yvell looks upon the gold splitting it up among the group then looks at Freddert with a raised eyebrow. " There are other issues that need be dealt with, anything we could possibly help with? Missing persons reports or incidents where strange lights or creatures have appeared? On missing persons we have found a few, Three Halfings.. a few of the Thugs.. Parda.. all dead however. We brought their remains back for proper burial, do you know anyone who would know how to identify them? Otherwise I would guess the Church of Brigh would take some action to them. "
He then turns to the rest of the party, " I'm sure we all have things we want to do, but if possible I... I would.. request t-that we stick together . I wish to impart in all of you.. a few things, we can... learn from one another considering we have become a successful party as of yet. We'd also do well to sell what we can together and split the amount evenly. "
Dolga shakes her head.
"There is nothing official yet, and nothing I think adventurers would be much help with. Since the flame is still gone, our waste problems and unclean water have piled up. Some of the townsfolk have said that little creatures appear into their homes and destroy machinery, but they're too fast that no one can catch them, and they're usually gone by the time anyone arrives. Other people wake up with strong headaches."
She strokes an adamantine warhammer on the table.
"Really, the only thing that's of true importance is the flame. I'll have people bring the bodies to the Chapel of the Wanderer. Don't you worry about such grave matters. Please, all of you, find some rest, drink some ale, do whatever you can to recover."
The old dwarf resumes scanning the enormous stacks of pages and scribbles furiously.
"Yes I think we should stick together. There is a lot we can learn." Val says linking her arm with Yvell's. "Plus I have a feeling that we will have more to do soon and we can always finish exploring that ship.'
Val looks at everyone with a smile. I hope they decide to stay. They are a good group and so fun! Val thinks to herself.
"Thank you for money, Dolga. After resting we will try to fix Torch torch again."
"Yes, Auehda will want to stay with group." Smiling, the burned half-orc gestures northeast. "Let's go to Junkyard and dump our packs and figure out who gets what stuff?"
Little creatures harrassing people here? That can only be the jinkins! We should take care of that and go back search for the flame problem.
Yvell, what did you do to activate that moon? Are you experienced with the alien technology?
Bran takes his reward money and says, "Thanks, I imagine we'll be looking for the solution to the flame problem soon enough." Turning to the rest of the group he says, "I'm going to follow Khonnir's body and see if Val is doing ok. We've been gone for a day or two and I'm not really sure what her state of mind will be on finding Khonnir in that state. Oh...and let me know when you've figured out the money for selling the stuff we found. We probably want to be better prepared before going back into the ship." With that, Bran moves on to the Foundry Tavern, looking for Val and Khonnir.
While Ibuki works, Auehda goes inside to look for their adopted father. "The Junkmaster! Are you home? I brought guests!"
Ibuki, deeply involved with the found stuff, looks up as Bran mentions Khonnir and Val.
Oh yeah, right, Val. We should go and look after her! Also tell her that we found Khonnir. Probably a good idea to go voer there. perhaps i can sort through the stuff here better in the laboratory! I´ll come with you Bran.
Yvell tries to stay relatively within the realm of a strong general but has trouble considering everyones aloofness. Val especially was disarming due to her personality, he coughs and answers Ibuki. " I have a little experience here and there, researched much on Androffan lore and language on my own. However the desert was nothing so grand. When I checked the room there was a glowing panel that was still functional. It had the word 'Reset' I had assumed this would reset the torch to work, not change the Moon or Sun in the desert. I simply pressed the panel. " He links with Val a little more aggressively as to not seem too perplexed
"*cough* Either way it seems we agreed upon staying together; I think if we can we should deal with the Gremlins after we are re-equiped and recuperated. We'll use A-Auehda's? place and sort this all out, you all can do whatever until we need to meet again for the distribution. I simply have to remind myself to get 4-5 fowls if we intend to examine the ship.. and perhaps a hunk of beef. "
Well, just do me a favor and be more careful which buttons you press from now on. You never know what will happen. Understanding Androffan and understanding that alien artefacts is a huge difference. I learned that language too, but i would not dare saying i fully understand those devices. Maybe you heard of that story of the tribe boss who caused the first baldes path? He unknowingly pushed the wrong button too, started some devilish device which killed thousands and destroyed the landsacpe. You can still see it today, even though it´s a long time ago.
" I made the decision after much consideration and knowledge of the word and what it might have pertained to. I however did take the effort to make sure most of you were far enough away just in case. I will take your words in stride. I'll go research it once again. "
jinkin's spike: Is mostly worthless. You can likely get a 5 coppers for it.
broken and Strange-looking red gun: You don't know how much it is worth. Likely not much.
Brown-striped Androffan card: 3 gp each.
Gripper: 100 gp
Batteries are uncommon in Numeria. They are worth 100 gp each. (full price to sell)
Black Androffan card is worth more than the brown. The keycard's white stripe changed to black when you freed Khonnir. 10 gp
Gun-like object with single bit of ammo and trigger: Each is worth 300 gp.
Small agate: 50 gp (full price to sell)
Ibuki takes some time identifying the magical and technological items before following after Bran to the Foundry Tavern.
Magical Stuff
2 cure light wounds potions,
1 potion of Protection from Evil (chartreuse)
1 potion of Jump (vermillion)
1 scroll of Technomancy
1 scroll of Detect Radiation (identified by Valtyra)
1 scroll of Unseen Servant
1 wand of Magic Missile (CL 3)
1 amulet of Natural Armor +1
Technological Stuff
gripping tools are Grippers
broken red gun = shoots a close stream of fire, likely used to "glue" pieces of metal together
wandlike device with resevoir = like a needle or syringe without the pain. called a medlance, you can put poisons, potions or pharmaceuticals inside.
handheld device with screen = shows areas of a certain phenomenon on the screen in certain degrees. you do not know what this phenomenon is, but it is labeled in Androffan as Radiation.
gun like thing with a single canister of ammo = shoots of very hot, very bright explosion of light
pen shaped object with black stripe = an epick of black grade
syringe of red liquid with a I = Hemochem mk 1, a pharmaceutical
brown striped gun with sphere = uses the gray canisters and provides healing, like a reloadable wand of cure light wounds.
gray canisters = are ammunition for brown striped gun, filled with a gray dust inside
You head to the Khonnir's house behind the Foundry Tavern, and find Val and Joram Kyte standing over Khonnir's body. The place is a mess, but its always been a mess, with stray gadgets and metal scattered here and there. Bran has arrived an hour before Ibuki, but no one has said anything.
Khonnir is resting. Joram Kyte has treated some of his internal wounds, but not all of them. The wizard needs rest most of all.
When Ibuki arrives, Joram makes his leave. "He should be awake in the morning. Not back to what he was yet, that will take more time."
Val Baine says, "Thank you for finding Dad. I knew that you guys could do it. I just hoped it wasn't this bad."
You watch for a time as this man, your mentor and adopted father, slowly recovers.
You reach the Junkyard, Auehda's home. It is filled with a mass of broken machine parts and skymetal scraps. It looks exactly the same since Auehda left it. A white haired old gnome greets you as you enter.
"Ah, girl-boy-child. You're back. Made some friends, did you? Well, don't make a mess of the place." He grins showing several chipped and missing teeth.
He takes you to a space behind the house, where pieces of flat metal have been arranged into chairs and tables. The old gnome gives you some water in square metal containers and five gray tubes. "Sorry, we don't have a lot of guests. And, no, the water isn't from the lake." He laughs before going back into the house.
Ibuki ignores these refreshments and identifies the items. It takes him about an hour, then he leaves everything and says, "Alright, I trust you can sell these things. I have to go check up on Khonnir."
"Auehda's friends make no messes," they affirm, grinning back. "This is Yvell, Derlin, Valtyra, and Ibuki, who saved Khonnir Baine." They point out the gnome to the adventurers (being careful to point downward, in case their taller friends miss him). "And that's the Junkmaster, who helped me from the cold!" They thank their adopted father and slurp up the water noisily.
While Ibuki works, they show the others around the Junkyard, pointing out the heaps of scrap lumber, slag, and crumpled tin roofing that used to be both stage and playground for a preteen comedian. They point out where they found Metal and where they did their first show, then the place where the bakers always dumped moldy bread. When almost an hour has passed, they loop back to the Junkmaster's house in time to see Ibuki finish.
"Ok! We sell stuff and meet you there in a bit. Bye Ibuki!"
It is filled with a strongly salted fish-paste.
The paste inside tastes like a bacon lettuce tomato sandwich.
The paste tastes like a fermented, spicy and sour spinach. Its red coloring stains your mouth.
The paste tastes like a hot cinnamon roll fresh from the oven.
The paste tastes like an unnaturally cold strawberry slush.
You feel like you're supposed to eat whatever is in the containers.
" You raised a fine adventurer here Junkmaster, I am Yvell Dullahan Endymion, Paladin of Ragathiel. I ensured the safe return of the Khonnir with the help of your.. childs powers and the healing magics of Valtyra. Derlin provided much needed Brute force and his.. cheerful Demeanor. We were quite effective. I .. Er.. How do I say it again? Ah yes, I 'appreciate' your offering of sustenance. We won't cause any issues I assure you. "
Yvell takes the tubes and water and sighs, however it was beyond rude to deny the hospitality of someone far below you in wealth.. even for him. He took one of the tubes at random, drank the water and squeezed it into his mouth expecting it to taste as it looks.
After which he speaks to Valtyra and Derlin directly, " It seems.. I had misjudged you both due to your.. Goddess. I have had less.. favorable encounters with those of your faith as we disagree on many a thing. Derlin, your forgiveness and prowess knows no bounds and with direction can be moved to great height, I commend you on your sense of character. Valtyra, your heaing light has saved the group and made our trek easier, your words assisted me when I was.. less polite in speaking.. You are also.. Er..enjoyable(?) to be around? " Yvell seems to struggle while saying alot of this.
" Which is why I must ask you to 'forgive' me, My god is more militant than most, but I tried to stick close to his ideal as a General, I had been trained in such and excelled at doing such. I believe with our current group, I could bestow that knowledge to you all... However, only if you would trust me to do so. That goes te Same for you.. Auehda... Im sorry is that your name.. I always thought it was Burnt One?"
"Oh yes I never told you Auehda's name!" The druid offers their left hand to Yvell, squeezing the second tube into their mouth with the right hand. "Burnt One is Auehda. Auehda isnt sure why you apologize but it's okay."
"Very good food Junkmaster!" they call.
Val grabs tube 4 off of the table. Which, to her suprise, is rather good. She spends the meal watching her companions and listening to the conversations. Her eyes have a mischievous twinkle when Yvell begins to stammer slightly. She gives him a little wink when he finishes talking. With a light laugh she says, "Oh Yvell, you have always been polite and I hope we can find new ways to 'entertain' each other."
She looks over everyone, smiling, "There is still plenty for us to do to help out the town." She pauses before continuing, "The Tourch still needs to be lite and I think we can do that. All of you have your own skills and powers and together we can overcome anything."
It's been a while since i have had friends that i can really count on. I'm glad i was lead here and was able to see why my brother loves this town so much. She muses to herself watching her friends.