Yvell nods and tosses her Birdfood's head " Thank you. You can have that I guess, either to place on a pike or parade around I don't care. I have no need for it and had plenty of witnesses. I'm sure you will be good enough and will be finding your problem solved over the course of our stay here. I ask just one more thing, how are things bought and sold here? Or is there even such a thing? "
He then turns to the party, " Well then I guess we have all we need unless you all have any more questions. I suggest we rest and head out the net day allow some of our accomplishments to sink in to the people living here. First the Chapel to handle our business, then Loot the Hawk Palace, After that we can visit the Redtooth's, participate in the Area of go slaughter us some Smilers. The last can be combined with a possible reward and ally within the Redtooth Raiders. Is that agreeable? " Yvell says as if somewhat tired.
If so he would begin to take his armor off for the night placing the many studded leathers and prepare to ready himself for the next day. If Valtyra was awake he would like to speak with her if possible but otherwise feed Phylla and slept for the night
"You can always barter, I guess. There aren't any stores around here. Some people might sell you things if you offer to buy them. We could use some longbows or other ranged equipment." Sevroth replies.
----
You rest for the night at the Steel Hawks' gatehouse. It isn't very comfortable. The next day they set out a few bowls of gray gruel and dry, hard bread. It is barely edible.
Yvell acknowledges this tidbit information. The Steel Hawks would need time to recover and when it came to strength range was king. " Noted, if we come across a large quantity.. or 'acquire' some, like guns, we can set up a trade agreement. I feel you won't be hurting for such items soon. "
========
In the morning Yvell arose stiff but it was nice to have a inclosed area to sleep and no worse than his military training days. When he stood up it was always the same, Phylla had a tendril or two around him and he was never quite sure IF she slept, only that she stopped asking questions at night after a while. Either from boredom or actual exhaustion he had gathered. He checked on her, giving the standard hello to start the day and do some training. " Wake up Phylla, it's time for morning exercises. "
He checked over Auehda and was glad to see the half-orc preforming like they tended to do for the Steel hawks, warming up to each other it seemed. Both literally and figuratively, considering they had the ability over flame and Yvell has even seen Auehda speak to flames. They would be a nice staple in the Steel Hawks while the rest of the group explored. Yvell felt somewhat safe knowing that.
Then it came the time to eat, and the selection was meager. It then came to Yvell's attention that his junior at one time had a spell just for this occasion. With copious amounts of Prestidigitation Yvell turned the Bread soft and warm the Gruel hot and steaming and of various flavors, from lamb mutton to beef Stew. He would go up to many of the Steel Hawks and even Sevroth herself if allowed and asked the what they would like to taste giving them the experience for the duration of the spell. When everyone else is awake they would see Yvell in less restrictive leather armor, chowing down on the soft, healthy bread and something that appeared like a golden broth. Looking to the party " Dig in while the food still tastes good. Want to head to that chapel full im sure. "
"I think we should deal with this necromancer quickly and save the brother. The more gangs that we have on our side the better. And we might want to look into why that gang disbanded and see if we can get any of the old members to join us. Otherwise i agree with the plan. Valtyra says looking over the group. As the night slows down she finds as comfortable place to sleep as she can and gets some rest.
After barely choking down the the breakfast Val is ready for the day.
"For how fussy you were about doing in Captain Head over there right away, you letting a Necromancer continue to experiment on someone's brother while you prance around town seems a bit out of character for a Paladin, ne?" Muga raises his weapon onto his shoulder as he begins heading for the door, his free hand snagging some bread, timing a nod of the head just so that it was either a nod of appreciation, or a nod as part of his question. Or perhaps both.
"Dunno about anyone else, but I think this whole "gang and respect" dream has driven you crazy, Yvell. I'm going to head to the Redtooth's and get pointed in the right direction." He paused a moment to look at Valtyra and Aeron. "Once you're finished with your soup, come to the Redtooth's place and I'll have the directions."
" It seems something was knocked around in your head if you think I have not thought of that. I am not unreasonable but there is a certain amount of practicality in actions. I might have gotten upset and killed Birdfood, ut that was simply a coincidence, when I had wandered i happen to find the Hawk Palace. In this particular case your forgetting that we were sent here on two missions and while NORMALLY I would be all for saving this man first and foremost, the information given says he was kidnapped prior to our even coming. I am not stupid assuming he could even be unharmed after all this time. Do not insult me. Our other mission could also have an effect on someones life and that bird is foreboding. You seem to want to split the group at every turn. "
Yvell was not amused.
" If you get yourself killed maybe you will learn something... There are things called Priorities, we visit the Chapel tell our message then head to the Redtooths, we already know how to find them because of Sevroth. An extra hour wont make a difference. "
Val looks at Yvell and Muga her fists clenched,"Would you two stop bickering like little children!!! If you want to butt head I am more than happy to knock them together for you!!!" She screams at the pair.
She then points at Yvell, "All life is sacred and we should save the man if we can. No one diserves to go through something like that. And yesterday was pure luck! If I hadn't been there you would have died and been eaten! You need to get your temper under control if you storm off like that it could very well get you killed."
Val turns to Muga her eyes hard, "And you! The next time you have an insane plan LET EVEYONE KNOW BEFORE YOU DO IT! I agree that we should do what we can for the person who was kidnapped and anyone else there but we need to balance that with what we came here to do."
Val takes a deep breath before she goes on. "We are here to do this together and need to work as a team to accomplish everything. We cant keep splitting up because that will get us killed. And I dont want to lose any of you! I've lost too many people and dont want to lose more."
Muga walks out the door and heads off to the Redtooth Raider's place.
Aeron watches the exchange with a calm and calculating expression. She has the look of a studious scholar pouting over a particularly rare tomb. She absently placed her hand over the guard of her weapons hilt as it shuddered silently with the rising tension in the room. She waited a moment to see what decision the rest came up with before making up her mind on what course of action to take.
Yvell looks.. disarmed. He sighs " Your not incorrect.. I could have died. And I thanked you for that.. eaten no.. but dead yes.. Phylla most likely would have dragged my carcass to you. Sigh. Either way Valtyra, we don't force people to do what is right if they are not doing evil.. if he gets in trouble he will either run or worse. If we follow him he will feel justified and think his needs are above what is needed to be done. I am not belittling the brother's life but I am being realistic instead of being like the COMMON false stereotype those with my title often are hit with. I don't have to be kind, I don't have to be stupid, I don't have to run after everything that is evil without a plan. Birdfood we knew was not that strong but this is a Necromancer, they have magical abilities that I cannot fully protect people from. Let alone the foul undead they use.No.. I am going to the Chapel. "
Yvell swallows his broth and begins putting on his Fullplate. Finally checking the charges on his arm-mounted autograpnel, seeing an 8. He flicks it close after eventually getting fully armored and ready. " I'm heading out, unlike lat time Muga knows where we are going. it will either go well for him or badly but if all else fails.. we can bring him back.. If all goes well and something happens to the brother we can do so for him instead Valtyra.. did you forget the scroll? " Yvell reminds her before heading out to the Chapel.
"I did let everyone know. If Phylla didn't tell you or you forgot, take it up with her or yourselves." Muga poked his head back in with a reckless smile.
"Anyway, I'm off to go ask the Redtooth's whether my sword will work fine on his zombies, or if I should get a club for his skellies. I'll let you guys know too." he left with a wave.
Yvell kept a stern face, It wasnt worth it in his mind. There was business to attend to and the disappearance of Ibuki as well. he funneled out towards the Chapel " Che' this is why I don't get attached. "
Yvell, Valtyra, Aeron and Phylla head to the Clockwork Chapel. They find a multiple storied structure to the eastern part of Scrapwall, with a bronze, busted unmoving clock at the top. At the closed entrance they see a man wearing robes.
Muga searches for Redtooth's Raiders. As he enters another courtyard, he finds a fight between smilers and ratfolk. Four smilers are standing, firing pistols at relatively less equipped ratfolk. There are four ratfolk still standing, with three ratfolk on the ground, bleeding or dying.
The Smilers have not seen Muga yet.
Yvell sizes the man up and hails him, " And who might you be? Are you the one who sent the mechanical bird? " The half Elf says, clad in his fullplate a he strange plant creature clasped to his body. He carries a serrated blade thinner only slightly than a greatsword but far sharper. His stern demeanor and presence apparent. On his right forearm extends a adamantine spike.
" Or are you waiting? "
Muga charges straight forward. No tactics beyond that of being a silent rush of wind before a mighty flaming strike as thunder.
The man turns to face Yvell You would be Yvell. I have heard tales... the party can see that he has tattoos covering much of his exposed skin and his pale grey eyes have a languid quality. I am Uriah, I have come to speak with the Mistress of this Chapel. My friend Joram Kyte has sent me.
Uriah stares at the newcomers You seek the power here in the Scrapwall?
Yvell scoffs, he was unsure whether this man was being truthful or disingenuous " Oh? I have become popular it seems already? You say you come from Joram Kyte? What stopped you from simply walking in? Truthfully we had only just gotten here. " The Paladin shrugged trying the entrance for any access point.
I heard the whispers of your approach. I decided to wait for you here.
" Then tell me, how do you know of both us and this man Jorum.. and more importantly the woman within? " He was clearly being careful with his words and held a intense stare.
Muga instantly cuts through one of the Smilers. The other Smilers spin around and point their weapons on the newcomer. They don't seem to be scared or remorseful.
"It looks like our prayers are answered, boys. We don't gotta eat f@*%!@^ ratmeat tonight!"
The three remaining smilers fire their pistols at Muga. They ignore the ratfolk who are shooting back at them with hand crossbows.
------------------------------------
Yvell tests the door and sees that it is locked.
Yvell seems agitated and begins knocking loudly on the door. " You sent the bird, at least have the courtesy to open up "
The tumultuous sound of metal grinding on metal issues forth from a constantly churning, grinding wall of gears that blocks off the western portion of this narrow valley. Only two larger gears remain motionless, situated at ground level in the center of the wall where one might expect to see a pair of doors.
Nothing happens as Yvell knocks on the gears or asks for them to open. His noise is likely blocked by the sound of the grinding gears.
"Hmph... Hardly worth my words to comment on those pathetic bullets." The bullets barely phase Muga as he charges into another unwounded Smiler.
Yvell's frustrations start to mount as he begins looking around, considering for a second to bash the door down.
This time Yvell Yells slamming his weapon against the Gears.
This one's Id is always in control...
Uriah answers Yvell's question I am a friend of Joram Kyte, we have similar interests. He asked me to come this way. I do not know the woman inside, only that she is important to him.
Yvell stops his tirade for only a moment, the loud crashing should have been heard.. if not it seemed he would have to climb. His device would help with that. He looks to the man " Uriah, Tell me, if you were sent here then you are aware of who were are investigating and what we are generally here for yes? A friend rather than a foe.. "
Yes, Father Kyte told me what he knew of your quest. You found a plot to steal power from the Torch and send it here...We share a general cause in wanting that to stop. We also share a cause in wanting the League to pay for their crimes against Numeria
" I see, if you have been informed then that means you were assistance. What is it that you are capable of as it seems our last arcanist has disappeared? And it will keep my mind of this blasted woman not answering. Sigh, I may need to climb the wall to see what is going on. " Yvell motioning to the arm spike.
Uriah does his best to not seem taken aback by this blunt half elf I am capable of many things. I'd rather not speak much about my gifts until I know you better.
Yvell seems not to be afraid to push the envelope somewhat, giving Uriah a piercing glance. " We are in enemy territory, where gangs are the main strength and people get attacked by groups for being weak. IF Jorum had told you of our exploits then it should come as to no surprise why they happened. We went in as a group and utilized our talents together to make it out alive and save the town. You say you are capable of 'Many things' but you surely know ALOT about my abilities or those of my allies. It is only fair we know the same. " Yvell folds his arms and sighs once more.
" I ask more to prevent.. misunderstandings. The last one wanted to dabble in necromancy which was a red flag for those of my title.. if you say 'MANY THINGS' that includes capability for great evil.. But I assume if you are friends with Jorum that is less the case. I also have little time to be.. flowery with things such as this. "
I will not raise the dead Master Endymion, you have my oath as one who follows the Bronze Goddess. But in response I have a question. Is not everyone who wields power capable of evil? Are not you, in your rage capable of causing harm and pain, and evil? Uriah gives a small shrug We have only trust in this world, and our word. I will trust that you will not skewer me with that large sword, You can trust that I will not attempt to snatch souls from Pharasma's court in order to trap them here.
Yvell sizes the man up and down, then nods approvingly. " In my case that would be untrue, as if I were to do so i would become weak and punished by my god and for it swiftly killed or made to repent. My power is based on such things. Those of the arcane are not. However, you have proven yourself somewhat so i will not push it. With your clothing and demeanor I will just assume you are a back-rank personnel. " Yvell looking to the door once more before ringing his blade loudly against it in a distinct pattern as to differentiate it from the rest of the sounds. He then waited.
Yvell and Uriah do not see anything special about the stopped gears or the moving ones. Slamming the stopped door gears doesn't seem to do anything. They believe that they can open the doors using force, however, the nearby moving gears will likely cause damage to them (crushing their fingers, smacking them as they move about) unless they are dexterous.
-----------------------------
Muga cuts down another of the Smilers. He seems to scream in ecstasy as the blade slices through his chest before he falls dead.
The two smilers reload and fire again. The ratfolk also reload and fire at the smilers.
Aeron spent her time watching the clockwork mechanisms closely as Yvell continued his banter and loud banging. She took the time to follow the ebb and flow of the magnificent construction carefully inspecting how the gears effected one another and how they could possibly interact with the doors. As if in a trance, she "pushed" between the two speakers and watched closely.
Yvell in a streak of brilliance will turn to Phylla.." Do you sense any minds deeper inside the area Phylla? If so.. contact them and tell them to open the door. " he looks down at Aeron as she tries to 'push' him.. though it turns more into a caress and scrape due to his comparable weight.
One of the bullets catches Muga along the hand. One of the bolts cuts at the Smiler's throat but isn't a serious wound. Likely the drugs in his system are keeping him from screaming out loud.
-------------------
"I sense a mind, Yvell. But it is busy..." Phylla sends.
Aeron notices a strange switch hidden near the gears as she stares at their constant grinding. She is drawn to the switch and presses it without a second thought.
Suddenly, the door gears begin to grind together and the gears move creating a passageway into the complex.
Yvell looks to Aeron warily but shrugs starting to move into the establishment. " I guess the issue solved itself. Good work Aeron. If her mind is that busy then she may very well be crazy. "
Muga charges and cuts through the third smiler. The bandit's expression is particularly grotesque and close to Muga's face as his tongue nearly pulls out of his face. He slumps to the ground in an awkward heap.
"Nope. I am done with this. You, sir, are a freak." The last smiler throws his pistol at Muga's feet and starts to nonchalantly walk away.
The ratfolk do not fire at the last smiler.
---------------------------------------------------
Entering the Clockwork Chapel you climb up three stone steps and enter the chapel proper.
The gear shaped room has four statues of a female humanoid creating clockwork creatures-a clockwork giant spider, a clockwork boar, a clockwork lion, and a clockwork wyvern. A gear shaped central altar sits in the middle of the room, while three regular doors allow for access to other rooms.
Yvell at first thought it proper to shout out but then decided against it. Maybe there was something wrong going on in this place? the Half-elf turned to Phylla and inquired upon the plant. " Phylla, about what Direction did you feel the busy thoughts come from? As amazing as all this is I find it.. more than odd for a person to send a bird to gather us then not answer when we come. Something could have gone wrong and it was a cry for help. If so.. I will regret my earlier actions. "
He looked at the Lion with a bit more interest than the others but the 3 doors were.. ominous.
There are three doors to the north, west and southwest. Phylla points one of her tendrils between the north and west doors.
"There." You can feel a tinge of mischievousness in the cerebric fungus' sending.
Uriah hears a strange whisper in his mind. It seems to be coming from the strange green plant creature holding onto Yvell. "Hello, Uriah-servant. Nice to meet you. Bring me red food, please."