Zendara tries to shoot the thing again, not sure if she is harming it or not.
The party launches another set of attacks against the malfunctioning machine. Zendara launches another arrow only this time the machine is hit and falls to the ground. The machine lurches on the ground and seems to be dead for good.
As the party kills the machine more noise is heard from inside.
”HELLO!!!
Turning his attention to the voice coming from inside the building, Ryder says, "It would seem that Val is here and still functional."
Kanek takes the respite to reload is pistol before calling back out to the voice. "Are you alright? We heard screaming."
"Val! It's Teodorn. Everything is under control. Are you hurt?"
Eying the now defunct robot, Daneran walks over and squats down amongst the remains. Drawing out his holy symbol of Brigh, whispering he offers up a prayer.
"creature of metal, may your mechanical soul find solace in the Brass lady's realm, you are finally free of your physical constraints,"
Standing up Daneran joins the rest of the group in investigating The girls plight.
Zendara waits outside with her bow drawn in case other enemies approach. Once the people who go inside indicate that it is safe, then she will join them.
Hearing the robot die, Val Baine emerges from her hiding spot under a table in the storeroom and greets the group outside—a little dusty for her ordeal but otherwise unharmed.
”Thank you!, she greets the group with a thanks.
”What brought you here?”
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"Val, thank the Gods you are ok. We're going to find Khonnir, but wanted to investigate what he brought back. I guess we just did (gestures to the pile of metal). Did Khonnir tell you anything else about his first foray below Torch?"
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Graz sniffs and snuffles at the girl, imposing himself between her and the others in the party. "Is girl hurt? Graz heard girl scream. Make sure no hurt, answer questions after." He turns and looks at Teodorn and anyone else making sure they understand the priorities here.
If Val says she is unhurt, Graz backs up by the door, trying his best to listen and follow along as the rest talk.
Kanek holsters his pistol before busying himself with the wreckage of the automaton. "The girl appears unhurt and Teodorn seems to know her. I'm better used seeing how this thing ticks."
Daneran watches silently from the rear, trying to assess how the humans react toward one another.
Inwardly he is more concerned about the mad berserk state of the construct they dispatched.
What a strange construct that was, it seemed to not understand it's surroundings, I will pray to lady Brigh tonight for more guidance tonight, their origin must be similar to mine,
After joining the others, Zendara waits to see how the girl will respond to Teodorn.
She looks around at the group.”He hasn’t told me anything just that he wanted to study this machine here.”she points at the destroyed repair drone on the ground.
”Are you going to look for him?”
”If you are then Use my tavern as a place to rest, recover, and use as a base of operations. I have already stored bedrolls in the tavern—I apologize for the lack of nicer accommodations, but I’ll provide you with all the food you need while you’re in town. I’d rather not give you any of the tavern’s beer, ale, or spirits, but if some of those supplies go missing, I won’t make a big deal of it provided you don’t get so drunk that you wreck the place.”
"Indeed, we do intend to find Khonnier Baine regardless of his state of functionality." Ryder says flatly.
"Thank you, the accommodations will be sufficient for our purposes."
Standing up to listen to Val explainthr situation, Daneran nods along. "Thank you, the lodging is appreciated, we will search for your father in the caves."
Teodorn is visibly disappointed in the lack of information from Val, both because he hoped to gain some insight into the dangers beneath the town, but also because Val barely acknowledged him.
"Perhaps we can drop off anything you might not want to bring and then head over to the temple to see Joram and get water breathing cast on us. Then we should be ready to follow after Khonnir."
Kanek nods in agreement at Teodorn. "We should make haste. The longer Khonnier is out there, the more likely he's in trouble.
Zendara thanks Val for her hospitality and help.
She arranges the gear that she needs into waterproof bags so that it doesn't get ruined, and then accompanies the group to the temple.
The group heads to the temple before they venture into the caves.
Bronze wind chimes and clockwork statues decorate the domed portico of this compound dedicated to the goddess of invention. The oldest faith in Torch, Brigh’s temple sees regular worship from many of the town’s citizens, and also includes a meticulously organized workshop managed by the town’s religious leader, Joram Kyte. His friendly demeanor, active interest in the metal trade, and innovative crafting skills helped land him a seat on the town council many years ago. Joram’s temple includes a small shopfront selling magic items and gear. In addition to many objects under the town’s base value, the shop currently offers for sale a flare gunTG, a scroll of find traps (CL 10th), three scrolls of restoration, a scroll of raise dead, and a wand of rebuke technologyTG (11 charges).
Zendara approaches Joram, asking if he is willing to cast water breathing on them all to start their journey.
Before interacting with anyone, Daneran kneels in prayer to the Bronze Lady.
As the bronze manuals decree, I will do all I can to fulfill your divine wiahes, My Lady,
He rises to address Joram with the party.
"As the lady Zendara stated, we need your assistance Joram-Priest, I am on a Mission from our God,"
Ryder adds, "Time would seem to be of the utmost importance...if we are to find Councilor Baine still alive."
"Hello Joram. In addition to your magical assistance, I hope you'll pray to Brigh on Khonnir's behalf."
Kanek lets the others talk to the preacher as he has never been one to formally pray to the gods. He spends his time examining the table, particularly the flare gun. "Interesting ... Maybe one day I'll be able to take one apart and figure it out"
”Of course. Water breathing it is.” Joram casts water breathing on the party.
”I will pray that you find Khonnir and for your safe return. Now if that is all I suggest you make haste.”
"Perfectly good logic." Ryder states, turning on his heel and leaving the temple.
Zendara follows Ryder.
Teo is happy to follow and get the rescue under way.
With the discussions done, Kanek thanks the priest and follows the rest of the group.
Nodding, "Thank you, Joram-Priest, we will rescue Khonnir,"
Following the rest of the group, Daneran readies his backpack, setting aside stuff he won't want to get wet and only taking his nesecities with him in his belt pouch.
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With the spell cast on him, Graz huffs and puffs a few times, but doesn't seem to feel any different. "Graz thinks this magic is broken. Graz doesn't breathe like fish now. Still breathes like Graz. Machine god has funny magic."
He follows along behind the others, unclear where exactly the water they need to navigate is.
After having water breathing cast on the group they decide time is in short supply and continue on to the caves.
The actual entrance to the Black Hill Caves is via a 45-foot-long submerged waterway that connects the Weeping Pond of Torch to the first cavern (area A1). This underground stream is fairly placid, and navigating these waters requires only a successful DC 10 Swim check, although contact with the tainted water can cause short-term nausea.
This placid-looking pond is set off from the surrounding area by a crescent-shaped escarpment. No vegetation grows on the banks of this pond, and the waters carry a bitter stink of sulfur and other chemicals, enough to make the eyes water after spending too much time on the shore. The pond is fed by an underwater spring from under Black Hill, but no fish live in these waters. A character who is fully immersed in the waters must make a successful DC 11 Fortitude save to avoid being sickened for 1 minute after emerging from the water.
Drinking water from the Weeping Pond has the same effect but the drinker takes a –4 penalty on the saving throw. This is a poison effect. Until recently, the foulness of the water has prevented anyone from discovering that the underwater spring leads into a series of caves under Black Hill. A shallow stream runs southeast of the pond and finally empties into Crowfeather Lake.
Stripping off his armor and securing his pack, Kanek dives in and swims to the supposed entrance of the cave.
Ryder strides into water after securing anything that can be damaged by water into his waterproof bags.
Seeing the others take their armor off, Daneran pauses to think about how his would affect his swimming. Deciding to play it safe he removes his chain shirt and shield, setting them down with his backpack.
Electing to take just his light hammer with him, Daneran steps into the water and goes to swim with the others.
As he sinks like a rock he realizes he doesn't remember how to swim.
Zendara flails around in the water, trying to get her bearings.
Fortunately she does.
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Graz dives into the water, heedless of his armor. He is not a trained swimmer, but is naturally strong, and despite strokes that look like a dog-paddle, he eventually makes it to the surface on the other side.
Along the way, if he sees someone struggling, he will offer assistance to help them get through the water.
On the far shore, he shakes himself off like a wet puppy and beats his chest. "Graz not need water breath magic. Graz swim strong like ox!" Perhaps not understanding how oxen swim, he watches to see if anyone else needs more help before exploring the area they have arrived in.
With Graz's help, Daneran mustes together the strength to swim into the cave opening though not without taking a few mouthfuls of water.
Sputtering on the other side, "That was not pleasent,"
(racial bonus vs. poison)
Kanek surfaces and immediately begins retching. Still looking a little green, Kanek mutters, "That is the most foul wretched water I think i have ever seen."
Zendara waits until the sickness wears off , and then starts exploring the beach area.
Upon exiting the water you see 3 beetles up ahead.
You see the tracks of several people who climbed up onto the ledge leading to another area—this is sign the previous explorers of the caves. A successful DC 10 Climb check is needed to clamber up the 5-foot-high ledge, although the three stalagmites at the edge are all strong enough to support ropes to aid such an assent.
Although nocturnal, the fire beetle lacks darkvision—it relies on its own glowing glands for illumination. Caged fire beetles are a popular source of long-lasting illumination among eccentrics and miners.
Taking note of the beetles, Ryder readies his morningstar.