Vitranna and Valeriya study the globe together for some time. It appears that certain cross points of the iron bars can be touched to manipulate items around the room. It takes significant trial and error to find the right combination of presses to deactivate the barrier, but after about an hour of experimentation, the globe on the ceiling goes dim.
"Ooo!" Jolis exclaimed. Looks like you ladies turned it off. Good job!"
Richard see the flash out of the corner of his eye of the field collapsing. He smiles. Well done guys. He says mostly to himself. Shall we go in, my protector? He says to Miya while getting up.
Upon entering the scientist looks around. He first looks at the 'mirror' and says. So this was already on when you entered? And it showed our friend the bugbear...huh. That's very telling.
Richard sets down his pack and sets about creating an extract. He swigs the concoction and swiftly begins to examine the globe device in detail.
Follows and helps him with his pack.
She stands back as he works. Again keeping an eye on the area around them.
"Ooo!" Jolis exclaimed. Looks like you ladies turned it off. Good job!"Vitranna and Valeriya study the globe together for some time. It appears that certain cross points of the iron bars can be touched to manipulate items around the room. It takes significant trial and error to find the right combination of presses to deactivate the barrier, but after about an hour of experimentation, the globe on the ceiling goes dim.
"Not used to turning things off but thanks, Jolis."
As Richard becomes involved with uncovering the temple's function, the big warrior gives Miya a silent nod and and a quick point out of the globe room, to indicate his departure. Jolis decides to explore the rest of the temple, exploring the area where the shrines were present in Ruin Village first.
It's a shame there aren't any shrines here.
@Richard: Based off of what Vitranna and Valeriya have already learned, it's easy to tell that the globe acts as a sort of command console for the lab. However, determining which commands correspond to which devices isn't easy - there are over 100 unlabeled cross points on the constantly spinning globe, that don't seem to be arranged in any sort of discernible pattern. It was only by studying the auras of the arcane connections that the two were able to shut down a single device. Actually controlling them with any accuracy would take much longer.
By looking over some of the books on the second floor, and by cross referencing what you've recorded in your own journal, you are able to just begin piecing together how this globe functions. In doing so, you make another discovery. The globe not only controls the lab, it powers it as well. As it turns, it gathers arcane energy that it slowly releases into each device it's connected to. Currently, the rotation is slow and it doesn't seem to be holding much energy. But judging by the size of this lab, the potential output is likely much greater.
Upon further inspection, you discover that the arcane connections don't stop within this lab. They appear to extend outside and across the island. It appears these connections are somehow interfering with the natural energy of the land. The interference from this globe alone certainly isn't enough to break a connection between planes, but it does seem to be a contributing factor.
It takes until late evening, but eventually you know enough to turn most of the machines in the lab on or off without much effort, and enough to stop or start the globe from spinning. When the globe does stop, everything in the lab including the lights are deactivated until it rotates again.
@Jolis: Exploring the first floor doesn't reveal much at first. The smell of mildew is still overwhelming. Flying insects and rodent droppings further reinforce just how unprotected this level was compared to the others. If it hadn't been for the heavy doors, it's likely you would have found animals nesting and plants growing inside.
Aside from the old furniture, you find a large iron oven, covered in cobwebs, beginning to rust through. Cupboards along the wall hold the fossilized remnants of ancient food - rations and preserves never intended to last this long. Just as you're ready to give up on this whole mess and go back upstairs, your foot catches on something. You wouldn't have seen it through the dust and the cobwebs, but you have literally stumbled upon a small handle on the floor.
Jolis shouts his new discovery to the others in the building.
"Hey! I found a hidden door!"
Miya waits a while as Richard works but soon it becomes clear its going to be a long dull day waiting him work.
She is more than a little relived when Jolis calls out.
"I;m going to see what he has found, if you need me blow"
And she hands Richard and single whistle, before heading off to join Jolis
Vitranna moves to Jolis' position.
"A trap door? Hmmmm. Maybe it leads back to the tunnel system?"
Now that several people are present, Jolis attempts to open the floor hatch.
"A hidden door! Just like the old adventure books!" Lera says as she jumps up and down excitedly. "C'mon Jolis, you can do it. I want to see if there are goblins or giant rats for us to fight in there."
"Did you check for traps and see if its locked Jolis, my help before you pulls something"
Richard becomes engrossed in the machine, carefully testing it's abilities. He starts talking, without realizing that the room is now empty. So it's a botany lab, but why the centralized communication device? I can only assume that all the research stations have a telecommunication device to a central hub. It makes no sense for this to be created unless a coordination between the stations is needed. He does his best to estimate the power requirements emanating out of the globe. My best guess is the exclusionary field can be expanded and altered. Maybe this is a way to isolate specific species of animal, plant, and otherwise from being sucked into the collection vortex. Of course that merely speculation on my part.
The scientist is still clueless that no one is listening to him. The bad guys must be sending a contingent to this station, now that we've shut down the comm channel. Let me see if I can re-establish the field and exclude everything and anything from entering. Don't let me forget to reconfigure it before we leave, or we might be able to get back in. The scientist drinks an elixir before going about his work.
Luckily for Jolis, Miya's concerns do not come true this time. The door opens slowly with a loud, grating creak as rusted hinges are forced apart. But, he is able to get it open. A staircase leads into a dark chamber below. It appears it may have been used as a storage cellar of some kind, with several boxes stacked against the far wall. A human skeleton wearing ornate robes is slumped against the boxes.
Richard is able to attune the field to repel all living organisms. It does only effect living organisms - likely a failsafe to prevent some incompetent from cutting off the labs air supply. After setting it up, you turn around to look around the room and see that several of your friends have already left the room. You also see that the deactivated scrying glass has started blinking
Jolis takes out his ioun stone, activates it around his head, and carefully walks down the staircase. The big warrior examines the storage crates and skeleton for identification.
Richard looks around confused and tentatively says Hello? He pokes his head into the hallway and repeats Hello? The scientist gets mildly irritated and says softly and incredulously What the f...?
Richard looks back at the flashing screen and shakes his head with a slight smirk. He remembers talking to Miya about there being a spy who had informed on them to the occupying army, but more specifically Richard. It would have to had been someone who recognized Richard's dangerous potential. It could have been someone in the first village where he created an aqueduct. However, that seemed unlikely as the village as a whole had not directly encountered the occupying army. It was more likely the last village...but who? Richard had a guess. And it was a guess that he could put to the test.
The off-worlder had plenty of reagents left to craft some useful extracts. It would only take him a few minutes to make. He drank them one after another. His face, body, clothes and voice mimic the old mayor that they all met in the library. He tests his voice, Test, Test, Test...sibilance, sibilance, sibilance. Satisfied Richard adjusts the volume and stands in front of the viewer. He flips it on.
How may I assist you?
Sticks her head down after Jolis.
"Looks like a bolt hole, someone went in and did not come out. Ill go tell Richard"
She says heading back to Mr Groves, she waist while he works.
Miya looks at Richard a moment after his request but he seemed to have an idea so she shifts into the form of Erik, her clothing changing to match his last time she saw him.
When the screen is turned on, you're greeted by two goblins with their faces practically pressing against the crystal. They both shriek in surprise and one goes scrambling out of the other room. "Stay! Don't go! Stay!" the other one shouts.
After a few brief moments, another familiar face appears - the tall woman who came looking for Grin in Ruin Village. [b]"Subhash? What a surprise. I didn't think you would ever leave that temple of yours after the terrible accident with your leg." Just as when she met Valeriya, she speaks with a pleasant, nearly singsong voice, as one might when meeting a lost child. However, you remember there was something oddly captivating about it when you heard it in person. Over the scrying glass, it sounds almost flat.
"I'm glad it is you, though. It means I can skip over the pleasantries and negotiations. Tell us where you are."
Richard feels ice frost over his spine as the woman spoke. She made Miya look like a basket of puppies. They had no idea where we are. That means that they did not set the field parameters. Who did? Richard gives a sour look when she mentions the terrible accident. The poor old man traded research for his village. I can't let him suffer. But it doesn't mean I can't f#ck with her first.
The old man limps closer to the mirror. I wish. I knew. I awoke not long ago to find myself here. Wherever here is. It seems too real to be a dream. Am I dreaming? He looks around. It's astonishing. He says, Really astonishing.
The skeleton is wearing what was clearly once a very fine robe. The expensive purple fabric and gold embroidery are still in relatively good condition, even after all this time. It has a circular, iron medallion around its neck in the shape of a globe. Around the outside, an inscription in Vudrani reads "Knowledge Without Limits."
The crates are unmarked, but are stacked rather haphazardly. It seems like whoever placed them was more concerned with getting them all against one wall than the were getting them in any sort of proper order.
The woman tuts softly and shakes her head. "Oh please, don't play the senility card with me. We're both too smart for that. I know you've been sending out scouts across the island. I'm not surprised you found the globe, only that you would travel to it in person."
"I'm not going to play games with you. I've kept my end of the bargain, and it's time for you to keep yours. Tell me where you are, or I let Grin and her dogs off the leash."
Jolis examines the skeleton closely, intrigued by it's perserved condition.
Hmm. Give those robes an good washing and they could be worn, maybe.
The big warrior examines the medallion on the skeleton's neck.
"Knowledge Without Limits", eh. Richard should definitely see this. Maybe he can see if the robe is magical.
The absalomian next looks over one of the crates against the wall, examining it for any labels or an easy means of opening them.
Looking in the trap door, Vitranna immediately focuses on the crates.
"That's an odd way to stack crates Jolis. Check to see if they are deliberately hiding something."
Jolis nods up to the trap door.
"I will, as soon as I know what's in the crates to begin with," said the big warrior, fussing with one of the crate's lids.
Richard, as the old man, slumps his shoulders and with downcast eyes says, No need for that. I'll draw a map for you. All done in an effort to feed her ego and sadism.
Richard knew that however smart she was, she was also way too dependent on violence or the threat of it. It made the woman intellectually lazy as a result. All she saw was a cowardly old man whose spirit was broken, and she would not question it. Her over confidence would assume that a small contingent would suffice in securing the station. This provided an opportunity that would be impossible to pass up. They would have to send someone very knowledgeable to understand and work the globe. Someone who would be a valuable source of information and intel. Miya's ability to read minds will be invaluable. The new ability, that some might say, is manifest destiny given their current circumstances.
He looks over at Miya masquerading as Erik, while pulling parchment and pen from his pack. With his back to the screen, he writes a quick note for Miya to read.
Setting a trap.
He quickly scribbles it out and starts with a fresh parchment as if he had made a mistake. Richard draws a map of where they are in relation to the village. He carefully avoids showing any other secrets, only landmarks. He shows the woman the map while maintaining a look of shame.
When can we expect you?
The crates are each labeled with a combination of letters and numbers - a code of some sort, but not one you can decipher. With a crowbar or other tool, opening one is trivial (though it will take a bit of strain if Jolis attempts to use his bare hands.)
The crates are all full of smaller, individually labeled bags. Some are full of soil, while others contain seeds and old, shriveled plants. But as you begin to move crates, you see what they were hiding. There is a large, metal door, like the ones you saw in the tunnels near the cliff. However, this one is dented and buckled, as if something rammed the other side with great force. There is a small crack near the center of the door that lines up exactly with where you found the robed figure.
The woman studies the map intently, barely paying attention to "Erik" in the background. "Hmm. Makes sense. I thought it might be some place the bugbears are too stupid to scout," she mutters. When Richard asks when to expect her, she smirks.
"Probing for information even when your back is to the wall. You're too good to keep playing for the losing team, Subhash. I'd be tempted to recruit you, if I thought I could trust you even a little."
"You'll see us when we get there. In the meantime, I'll let these charming fellows keep you company." She pats one of the goblins on the head before leaving the room with a wave.
Richard stares at the goblins for about thirty seconds before blinking and saying, I've gotta go take a crap.
He grabs Miya by the arm. Help me wipe my boy. The pair shuffle to the hallway.
He whispers into Miya's Where is everyone else? Richard follows Miya at a rushed pace to the others. He points back in the direction of the globe room. Guys we need to talk about the call I just had. I've just drawn the bisexual dominatrix...Richard points at Jolis and Lera. ...who wanted to bed you two, into a trap. Well, A trap we'll need to set up.
Richard points at the dead mage. A loose elemental killed him? How did it break it's prison? Can you get it open?
He whispers into Miya's Where is everyone else? Richard follows Miya at a rushed pace to the others. He points back in the direction of the globe room. Guys we need to talk about the call I just had. I've just drawn the bisexual dominatrix...Richard points at Jolis and Lera. ...who wanted to bed you two, into a trap. Well, A trap we'll need to set up.
"Good!" The big warrior exclaimed. "I've been raring for payback!" The absalomian thinks, "Richard, do you think I have enough time to bring those crates up so the others can hide behind in surprise?"
Richard points at the dead mage. A loose elemental killed him? How did it break it's prison? Can you get it open?
Jolis shrugs. "We only just found it. We don't know."
Richard looks at Jolis while still in the disguise of the old man and says, Fortunately, I set the exclusionary field to prevent any living thing from entering. So she can't teleport in. But I doubt there is a mage living who is powerful enough to bring a contingent large enough to secure the facility. At a guess, I'd say that she would be bringing Grin and ten to twenty soldiers. Based on the attention span of the goblins she set to monitor the... monitor, I'd say they have an expedited mode of travel. Maybe a few hours.
Richard moves to take a closer look at the door. I was planning to reset the field to allow our species... races to move through. It should at least restrict the bugbears, you know, but not their projectiles. I figure that we can attack them outside the field and retreat within, while only a few, like the dominatrix, can follow. We capture and interrogate her. Well, interrogate her after we mop up the bugbears.
In any event, we have time. Of course because of the ruse, we'll need to move the village to the large tunnel for safety reasons. He points at the door, We really should take a look.
Turning to Richard, she nods thinking.
"Will the field resist physical magic directly? What about indirect magic such as charms and such? My guess is...physical magics are blocked, but the rest are not."
Scratching her chin, she nods again thinking tactically.
"We could set our main ambush out in the jungle, lure them to the bubble with bait if needed, then trap them against it. What do you think Richard? Does that make sense? Or could they bring the bubble down on their own somehow if they need to do so?"
Richard nods approvingly to Vitranna's questions. Good questions. I'm not entirely sure how the field would react to direct or indirect magic. As far as I can tell it only impedes the physical based on the parameters set. A failsafe set in place prevents it from stopping non living matter. You know, so we don't cut off the air supply accidentally.
I'll defer to your expertise on tactics He says referring to the rest of the group. But unless they can destroy the power supply, which I believe is beyond this door, or reprogram the globe...It would take a mage of godling power to bring it down.
"Do you think she'll talk? She seems like the type that would only enjoy torture. And she's likely too strong for our magics to do much."
Notes at Richard, then as he heads off she waits then walks past the Globe as if working. So that the watchers have something expected to see. She dose not look at it, but carries plates as if getting ready to cook.
I'm depending on our mind reading secret weapon...who has seemed to disappear. He says looking around for Miya.
When she comes back she is a fox, that slips under the globe.
Heading down the trap door.
::"Are you talking about me?"::
She sends into there minds
"Probing anything but surface thoughts is difficult on an unwilling target. Someone like that strange woman will likely have a slippery mind. It's gonna be tough, Miya. I hope you have some kind of special training that you haven't told us about. Y'know like with most of your skills."
::"As you say Training, with such a thing its just a matter of time, the longer I have with her the more chance I have of braking past her metal defences."::
Projects the Fox.
"I was thinking 'Lady Big Bad' and her crew would naturally think Richard had a guide or muscle to help him traverse the jungle. Leave me out in the open to confirm that suspicion", said Jolis, pointing to himself, "while the rest of you lie in wait to spring a surprise attack."
Richard smiles at Jolis. Here's the best part. They don't know about us at all. They think they are meeting Subhash and Erik... maybe a few scouts. He snaps his fingers. I'm so stupid...
...goblin riding vultures
"Ah Hell!" Jolis lamented. "So they could be hear at anytime!"
Well, they'd have to travel from the palace. After preparation and launch. Maybe a hundred plus miles. A laden large bird travelling sixty plus miles per hour...about an hour to an hour and a half.
::"No time for a lot of nice traps then, you better let me out so I can go sot them. After that my support will be Bow and blade."::
She says
"Okay. How's this," spoke Jolis, rubbing his hands together. "I'll bring up as much crates as I can and create a wall for you guys", pointing to the ladies present, "to hide behind for you to spring the surprise attack?"
::"Better go keep an look out then"::
Then she trots out side to keep a lookout.
Vitranna shakes her head.
"Those old crates wouldn't stop a tossed rock from a child...or goblin flyers from above. Focus: We either need to set up real defenses, hide, or set a trap. Quickly!"
Under her breath Vitranna curses.
"This is why we need a group leader! We do not have time for trial and error! We do not have time for a committee decision!"
Jolis gives the bard an uncharacteristic hard stare. He jumps down the floor hatch and begins to bring cates up from the hole as fast as he can.
"At least they might provide some cover, dammit! Jolis says under his breath.
"No time for bickering. I think having some cover sounds like a great idea. If you have a better idea Vitranna, let's hear it."
Lera then casts her mage armor spell.