Dejah wiped the gremlin muck off her pike and listened as Cade and Jasper earnestly admired each other's talents.
"Yes, Yes, well done."
When both men asked if she was alright, she cocked her head somewhat bemused by the question, "Of course I'm fine. Some bruising from the one that jumped on my back, but Viorec's magic fixed it right up. Thank you for that", she directed toward the priest with a nod.
Glancing at Tabitha, she efficiently lauded her effort with the dagger, "Your aim with the blade was true. A fine talent."
And casually directed at Jasper, "Vu is not my name, not even a sweet version of my name. What if I called you 'Per'?" For a mere moment, Dejah was tempted to poke her tongue out at the man, but refrained, as her father would have deemed it 'undignified'. And, she was a lady, afterall.
Instead, the Changeling reached up and laid her hand upon the spike wound on Cade's chest and began to whisper the ancient words of healing.
In much lowered voice she continued,
"Now, let's search the bodies and the pile, but be wary in the scrap pile for any nasty gremlin surprises. I spotted another tripwire in the northwest passage. It's still armed as we had the gremlins to contend with. I may try to disable it, later."
Dejah searched the leader/King's body first, even though each gremlin had been well and truly flattened by Cade's large weapon. Then she carefully moved to the scrap pile and examined around and in it.
Cade chuckles at the playful banter between Jasper and Dejah. "Per. Haha. You may want to be careful poking the snoring owlbear. This one has claws."
As Dejah puts her hand on his chest, Cade turns to face her. He covers the back of her hand with his palm. He stares into her mismatched eyes. When her healing powers flow, his look turns to shock. "You are full of surprises shorty." He holds her hand on his chest for a bit with smiling eyes before turning back to the group.
Viorec looks around and for a second to see if there was anyone that needs further healing but seeing no one gives a moment of silent thanks to his god for his aid. Viorec offers his voice sharing the aplomb of the group. Yes we all did well. Viorec turns and acknowledges Dejah's thanks. your welcome Dejah I am glad I could help. before finally turning to Tabitha Glad the dagger came in handy.
Snoring owlbear?! Did he just compare me to one? Dejah's mismatched eyes shone with ire.
"I do not snore, nor am I an owlbear. The comparison is nonsensical." It was a matter of fact statement and said in a low and resolute tone.
As she cast her healing spell, the tall warrior looked down into her eyes, and even though she was bristling at his earlier comment, she felt strangely uncomfortable by the gaze and his hand over her own. It seemed rather intimate. And intimacy she had very little experience with. "I have a little arcane magic - Viorec's divine magic is more considerable", she whispered in reply. "There, no more gaping wound or scar." She gently pushed at his hand, so she could take her own back.
Jasper smiles at the "per" comment and says No disrespect intended darlin, Deja Vu is a slang term in Varisian for something you feel you've seen before but can't tell where. Basically just mean you're worth remembering it seems. He then tips his hat to her and helps to search.
Dejah's dark brow rose sceptically, but she accepted his explanation well enough.
"Still, I much prefer Dejah. Please call me by that."
The Changeling archaeologist continued with her searching.
Jasper sketches a bow, smiles and says As you wish... ...Vu he finishes in his head.
At Dejah's rebuke, Cade falls silent and helps look around.
He picks up the "crown" of the main gremlin to show the other leader.
Dejah noticed Cade's silence and she inwardly wondered at it - He had not reacted to her in such a way before. She attempted to understand the reason behind it as she continued to search the cavern -- for now not questioning him over it.
He seems embarrassed. He does not appear angry. He is glad the subject changed. He is withdrawing into himself and helping with the task at hand.
Dejah's brow furrowed as she realised Cade must have been embarrassed. But over what? Because of his words or when she pushed his hand away so she could remove it from his chest? The Changeling would be the first one to admit that she did not always comprehend Human behaviour, even though she was raised by one. It appeared that Cade was keeping his own counsel for now, so she did not pry, even though she preferred knowing what the problem was and resolving it immediately. She grew pensive.
The gremlin chieftain had nothing of value on its body--mostly scrap and a sword the size of a shaving razor. The surrounding scrap pile is similarly bereft of worthwhile items & traps.
-----------------
The party's return to the skulk encampment is greeted by a worried Val and a smirking Sef. "Well, that didn't take you very long. I trust the gremlins are all dead?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Sef takes a closer look at the bloodied circlet of jagged scrap Cade has in his hands. "Hmm--saw that on the gremlin chief before I stabbed him. Good job." Sef nods in approval.
"Now, as agreed--the reward I promised you." She turns on her heel and walks back into her home before emerging with three sacks, setting them on the cavern floor before dropping the leather pouch with the access cards & batteries in Val's hands.
--3 suits of masterwork armour;
--1 masterwork buckler.
--1 shortbow;
--A quiver with 11 arrows in it;
--1 rapier;
--2 short swords;
--1 Masterwork sap.
--2 potion vials filled with dark blue fluid;
--1 Sunrod;
--2 Sets of masterwork thieves' tools;
--1 scroll of shield written on yellowed parchment;
--1 scroll of identify with coffee stains on the edges;
--143 GP.
Val looks up at the rest of the party. "The rest of the skulks ran off to the south part of the caves."
Looking inside the sacks, Dejah's gaze fell on the masterwork studded leather armour suits in the first sack. Taking them out, she looked to see if they would fit her. From the third sack, she took a set of the masterwork thieves tools.
"I would like to claim these two things, if all are agreeable, or at least use them for the time we are exploring down here." She looked about the group to see if any would find issue with this.
|
Tabitha remained quiet while looking around at the cavern, wondering what is just on the other side of both of those large doors. Following the group back she sees that the Skulk kept to her end of the bargain and she surveys the magical equipment and potions with Detect Magic.
Tabitha gasps and pulls out a potion from the bag. "Both of these are potions of Cure Moderate Wounds! I think Caedmon and Viorec should hold onto them. What do you think?" As she speaks excitedly to the group.
"I have no issue with Cade and Viorec carrying the healing potions", Dejah answered Tabitha quietly.
Jasper speaks up and says I too could use the armor. Mine is decidedly less fancy than these. Also, either the rapier or one of the short swords would not go amiss as well but I will leave to any who need them more.
Turning her different coloured eyes on Jasper, Dejah gave a small smile and replied, "You were the one who negotiated for the bags to be part of the reward for killing the Gremlins and as such I have no issue with what you would claim from them, Jasper."
Viorec helps scan the area and follows the group back quietly content that the bargain struck had been fulfilled. Once within the skulks defunct camp Viorec speaks up as his name is mentioned. I have no problem carrying one of the potions but I would offer that it might be better if someone else hold it in case I am unable to offer my healing at a critical point. I would actual prefer if each one of us held a healing potion for emergencies but unfortunately that was beyond our budget.
Jasper looks back with his green eyes and says Well who am I to argue with a beautiful woman.
Jasper then takes a moment to put the armor on. Joking with the women he says Now I know I'm good looking but no peeking. You either Cade, I've seen the way you look at me. He finishes fluttering his eyelashes in jest.
Since no one voiced any dissent to her taking the masterwork armour and thieves tool, Dejah claimed the two items. She removed her old leather armour and donned the new masterwork studded leather. It fit well enough. The Changeling placed the tools in the belt pouch around her waist and placed her old leather armour inside the first sack for safekeeping.
At Jasper's jest that they would peek as he donned his own armour, she simply ignored it for she was busy with her own tasks. That he called her beautiful was a pleasant compliment and the Changeling accepted it with a simple incline of her head.
"Will we leave these bags in a safe place once we have claimed what we need currently and retrieve them when we leave Black Hill? Or is someone offering to carry them? she enquired of her companions.
As to Viorec's offer for another to carry the healing potion, Dejah responded, "I carry a healing potion with me - somewhat lesser in magic, but will do the trick if I am in trouble. Perhaps another of the party would take it? If no one wants it, I will take it and use it on the most injured, if the need arises."
"Both of these are potions of Cure Moderate Wounds! I think Caedmon and Viorec should hold onto them. What do you think?"
Cade takes one of the potions and thanks Tabitha. "I appreciate it. Like Dejah, I will use it on one of you if you need it."
He turns to the group. "Which way now?" He looks at Sef. "What is further in the cavern?"
Jasper smiles at Cade and says Let's go find out! Before clapping him on the shoulder and moving to scout forward with Dejah, assuming she is still amenable to the order. He moves to the closest door, now that we have the keycards and begins looking it over for traps.
Viorec points back to the path the group had passed through as he talks We had that other passage that we passed, we may wish to check it before moving through either of the doors. We might miss something if we aren't diligent. If it is nothing we only lose a couple of minutes in the checking.
"There's a tripwire like the one I disabled earlier in the northwest passage, if that is the direction you mean, Viorec? We'll move south."
Picking up her belongings and moving back beside/just behind Jasper, the Changeling archaeologist started to move toward the southern passage/cavern, her steps quiet and her eyes focused in the dark. The pike was in hand in case they encountered more foes.
Sef starts walking out of her cavern to the hole in the southern part of the village. "Well, now that you've got all that sorted out, I believe this is where we part ways." The other skulks are all gathered around the hole, with Luepel having tied off a long length of rope around a sturdy-looking piece of metal.
As the party advances on the eastern portion of the cavern, what looks like a round hole in the large grey wall comes into view--a dark opening in the metal surface that doesn't appear to have been caused by something damaging it. The hole sits five feet above the floor, and intermittent flashes of bright blue light can be seen beyond it.
"Careful if you go in there, surfacers." Sef calls back. "Beyond that is... well, I'm not sure how to describe it. Some sort of different world would be my best guess."
Her voice starts to shake a bit. "And beware of the four-armed skeletons beyond. They can be destroyed, but never for long... something makes them rise and reform again, even if they've been shattered into a thousand pieces. Avoid them if you can, but if you do kill them, don't stick around."
|
|
"Four Armed Skeletons...?" As Tabitha mumbles to herself. "Oh! It must be related to the drawings on the wall. But skeletons that cannot be destroyed... Sounds rather dangerous." She ponders on what could have animated those skeletons. There could be any number... But I think I know why, maybe a haunt?
Jasper looks confused for a second before saying Wait...are we saying four, armed skeletons, as in they are armed with weapons and there are four of them...or are we saying they each have four arms? Because if it is the first one hen no big deal...if it's the second...that's just creepy.
Sef snorts. "The skeletons have four arms each, surfacer. All the more claws to rip your flesh with. After the first time we ventured in there and ran into them, we avoided them whenever we could. Perhaps you'll have more success in putting them down for good, but I doubt it."
|
|
When Val deciphered the scrolls, Tabitha adds them to her small scroll collection. I already have shield prepared, but having an extra use will be good. When Sef the Skulk describes the skeletons, she gets slightly excited. "Well, either way, we need to go through there to find Master Khonnir. There is this entryway and then there is the other one near where we found the leader of those gremlins. I know I am ready to continue. Just need to choose."
As the party advances on the eastern portion of the cavern, what looks like a round hole in the large grey wall comes into view--a dark opening in the metal surface that doesn't appear to have been caused by something damaging it. The hole sits five feet above the floor, and intermittent flashes of bright blue light can be seen beyond it.
Dejah looked over the metal surface and upon the bright blue flashing light shining through the hole.
Dejah looked around the opening/hole, attempting to see if there was a trap in place before proceeding.
Looking around, Dejah doesn't find any traps waiting to be sprung--no tripwires, no stray bits of jagged rubble, no errant patches of mould, nothing. Beyond the open mechanical door is a slightly curved hallway, its walls, floor & ceiling crafted from the same smooth dark grey metal as the wall outside. Panels of lighter material run along the ceiling eight feet above. To the north and south the tunnel is blocked by walls of metal junk and rubble, while an open doorway yawns to the east.
Val tugs on Tabitha's sleeve as the skulks begin climbing down the hole in the cavern floor. "Um... Tabitha? I haven't been doing much to help out down here--am I getting in people's way?"
Jasper looks at the group and says Well who wants to go into the big scary doorway that is probably filled with terrifying monsters first? He waits a second before saying with a smile Oh yes...that would be me!
Jasper then heads into the doorway, looking left and right as he goes.
|
|
Tabitha jerks back into focus after wondering what could be on the other side of those doors. She turns to Val and smiles. "No, you are not in the way. Though we're here now, we'll have to keep our eyes open and ready for anything, including boney four-armed undead thingies... And mold. Don't forget the mold." As Tabitha said as her face slightly turns into a frown. "Just make sure not to be between the guys and the creatures we find. And that includes any working robot thingies."
Tabitha pats Val on the shoulder and looks towards Jasper. "Make sure to be careful Jasper, we don't know what is ahead... Except for... Undead and mold and... Robots."
Even though the current entrance was not barred and the metal door was open, Dejah turned to Val and asked Knonnir's daughter quietly, "Please pass me the pouch with the batteries and access cards. I will hold onto them if we have a need for them."
After she retrieved the pouch from Val, Dejah saw that Jasper moved ahead - through the opening. To the others, she simply and quietly advised that she had not found any traps or patches of mould and then cautiously proceeded forward (behind Jasper) to investigate.
Val hands over the pouch with the batteries and access cards and watches as Dejah and Jasper climb up through the doorway.
The doorway on the opposite side of the entrance yawns open, the grey panel next to it lying broken in several pieces. Wires stick out from the panel, emitting blue sparks that *crackle* when they make contact with the floor. Sitting in the hallway beyond is what looks like a repair drone, identical in size and shape to the model Val was trying to repair before it went berserk. Its spider-like chassis is dented in several places on its body, but aside from that it appears to be in good working condition. The bright blue light in the centre of its 'head' shines down the hallway, unblinking. It moves when it sees Jasper, shining directly on him.
"Ανθρώπινη μορφή ζωής ανιχνεύθηκε." The drone says in a warbling mechanical voice.
"Human life form detected."
Jasper smiles and says ...umm...we come in peace?
He then repeats it in Androffen. ερχόμαστε στην ειρήνη
Dejah watched and listened as Jasper spoke first to the repair drone in the robot language. She kept a safe, reasonable distance away from it for now.
"οιος είναι ο σκοπός σου εδώ; Σας σημαίνει καμία ζημιά."
"What is your purpose, here? We mean you no harm."
The repair drone's light blinks as it turns to address the two.
"Η κύρια λειτουργία αυτής της μονάδας είναι η επισκευή και δυσλειτουργίες κατάλογο των οικοτόπων ενότητα βήτα 19." The robot says, the mechanical arms around its head *whirring* to point at them. "Σας παρακαλούμε να μην παρεμβαίνουν με τα καθήκοντά μου."
The drone's head turns to a broken pipe along the northern wall of the hallway it's in before running a grid-like light along it.
Dejah kept her eyes on the whirring, mechanical arms.
"Εμείς δεν θα παρέμβει. Ζητάμε να μας επιτρέψουν να περάσει χωρίς βλάβη."
The drone looks back at Dejah, its headlight blinking twice.
"Πρόσβαση σε μονάδα ενδιαιτημάτων βήτα 19 περιορίζεται μόνο σε ομάδες συντήρησης. Αρκετές σημαντικών δυσλειτουργιών έχουν καταλογογραφηθεί."
Jasper motions for the keycards and says Είμαστε ένα πλήρωμα συντήρησης . Δείτε τις κάρτες μας ; Θα πρέπει να περάσει για να βοηθήσει στις επισκευές .
The drone looks at the keycards Jasper holds up and scans them with its grid-like light. After a minute of doing this, it *BEEPS* and looks back up at the gunslinger.
"Κάρτες συντηρήσεων καταχωρείται. Κατάλογος όλων των δυσλειτουργιών που ανακαλύφθηκε..." The drone's arms lower, and it begins making a *whirring* noise.
"Τρέχουσα δυσλειτουργίες: η τεχνητή ουρανό του οικοτόπου μονάδας βήτα 19 αυτή τη στιγμή να κλείσει και που έχουν ανάγκη από μια επανεκκίνηση." The drone's voice becomes much clearer and stronger as it speaks. "Υπόδειγμα 32 έχει διαφύγει αιχμαλωσία; τρέχουσα θέση στην ενότητα των ενδιαιτημάτων βήτα 19 άγνωστη."
It *clicks*. "Πολλαπλές μετα-οργανικές ανωμαλίες που διαπιστώθηκαν."
It *clicks* again. "Βιο-ασφάλεια στην είσοδο του κόλπου της παρατήρησης είναι κριτικά δυσλειτουργίας."
"Multiple post-organic anomalies detected."
"Bio-lock at entrance to Observation Bay is critically malfunctioning."
Jasper listens carefully and then says Έξοχος. Συνεχίστε τις επισκευές . Εμείς θα προχωρήσουμε και να αρχίσει τη συντήρηση των προσβεβλημένων τμημάτων.
Jasper will then proceed forward carefully past the drone.