"A Greater Restoration or a Heal would cure her of her affliction. Do we want to try to buy a scroll to that effect?"
the beauty of the stars, for between them lie the great
gulfs of the cosmos, the gaping chasms of terror some
call the Dark Tapestry. Over the centuries many inquisitive
minds have made a study of this abstruse topic. Their most
common fate is madness. Indeed, the guest registers of
asylums around the Inner Sea are considered incomplete
without at least one former expert of astrological studies.
Some of these rambling lunatics lost their sanity by
merely reading (or perhaps comprehending) the contents
of forbidden manuscripts and codices on the subject, texts
whose very titles evoke mysteries best left veiled. Others
had their minds torn from them through the performance
of ill-advised rituals found within such moldering pages.
But a lifetime of madness seems merciful when compared
to the doom of those reckless enough to take the most
dangerous step: to seek contact with the dreadful alien
beings who call the endless void their home, the fabled
Dominion of the Black.
Right, don't read any eldritch tomes . . . though honestly forbidden knowledge seems right up Mort's alley. If that telepathic plant was any indication of what we might face we will need something to guard our minds.
"Sister, she could mean literally they extract minds physically or it could be a more mystical process. Can you learn some spell that can protect us from mental control like Magic Circle against Evil?"
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Jarreck watches the interrogation, saying little but listening nonetheless.Cassandalee?? Dominion - the creature from the warehouse Seven also mentioned was something sent by the Dominion, this construct is several wagons loads shy of a full silo. Hmmm the Scar and the Smoke mage I believe we've heard about before
What does Jarreck know that he could add to the group about the Dominion - nothing
"Should we explore the remainder of the ship, perhaps we can find a way to stop the fouling of the spring water, a few less mutated birds to play with sounds wonderful in my book, especially when they're the size of a house. Then again something else of value may yet lie undiscovered."
"Yes, but we should probably rest first. We have been taking a beating."
Seventeen considers Omo's question, "Possibly Omo. The wards against evil can a certain degree of protection to charms, command, and attempts to dominate a person. There are some arcane devices that might help, such as a type of medallion called a Mind Sentinel and I have read about potent devices known as Scarabs of Protection. Unfortunately the requirements for building one sound almost impossible."
She then nods at Jarreck, "Agreed. The probability of catastrophic failure should we proceed without rest is approaching 97.3%. Besides I would like time to consider the relevance of the word 'Cassandalee'. I believe it is a name, but whose?"
Omo gives his sister a quizzical look. Maybe she is in shock from all the excitement.
"That at least is a question I think I can answer. Cassandalee was (is?) an android who was around when these ships first crashed on our world. She must have been powerful and high ranking because both Hellion and Unity referred to her as 'sister.' She had some sort of falling out with Unity after the crash (perhaps because the AI thought it was a god?). After their disagreement, she wandered Numeria where she eventually ended up here where she had the misfortune of being murdered by the locals? After her "death" these Dominion people took her mind and the Smoke Wizard claimed her body. We probably want to get both back if we want to defeat Unity."
Omo scuffs his paws nervously and looks around. "Was I the only one who read the Kugara's journal?"
Or who pays attention to what people tell us? He thinks somewhat uncharitably.
Omo beds down.
"By mind, i assume you mean her brain?
That's pretty twisted."
"I am not actually sure. Perhaps they put her brain in a jar. Perhaps they copied it somehow. Perhaps they bound her soul in a gem. None of these options are that pleasant."
Are you guys resting down in the Aurora or above ground? What are you going to do about Seerath?
Jarreck goes back to the storage room and manages to jury rig the door so that it is locked (and he can trap it using the components he found at Door A1).
Two hours into the rest the party hears sounds in the adjacent room, it sounds as if several machines are moving. After half an hour the sounds fade and they seem to move towards the west.
Six hours into the rest there is a thump against the door... followed by silence.
Eight hours later you get ready to explore the ruins.
When Omo wakes up he drinks an infusion of Heightened Awareness and extends and saves a potion of Heroism with Alchemical Infusion.
"So, are we going to save her?"
Omo asks as he begins to search westward. He searches in order A5, A6, A7, and heads towards A8-A9.
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Jarreck cqn some glimmer of hope for the construct although repairing it doesnt necessarily mean that personalitywise things might still be a bit unstable. However if Omo wants to try Jarreck will help as best he can.
"If you think you can."
Meanwhile he accompanies the alchemist in checking the rooms.
Seventeen refreshes her Mage Armor spell using her metamagic rod. She nods to Omo and says, "I would know more about this dominion. Judging by what happened to her they are a serious threat. Saving her is likely the only way to find out more."
As they go Seventeen keeps alert for any danger or technological surprises.
Omo and Jarreck move into the room and spot a half dozen robots moving about. They seem to be doing a detailed search of the room and at first none of them notice you. After a second or two, the largest most impressive of the robots states in Androffan
"Primary objective complete. Fugitive exterminated but remains required per Unity directive one. Please submit traitor Casandalee or face immediate execution."
Omo drinks an infusion of Bullet Ward.
Then with magically backed courage, he squeaks "We don't recognize the authority of false gods. Drop your weapons or be scavenged for spare parts!"
Let's see how they like threats.
2. Browgasher, Create pit, Protection from tech, Invisibility,
3. Aqueous Orb, Discharge, Haste
Seventeen whispers several strange words in an arcane language and touches Jarreck. She whispers in his ear, "I have warded you against these."
Omo drinks an infusion and calls out. The Augmented Gearsman responds
Error Message 14401: We do not submit to non Unity directives. Prepare yourselves for execution.
Round 1
Jarreck
Gearsmen
Augmented Gearsman
Guaire
Omo
Mort
Seven *actions posted
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Jarreck flicks his wrist and twin blades appear in his hands, frost falling lightly from one. Moving north and eastwards he pauses by Seven as she calls his name before moving behind the column to get out of sight and try to achieve stealth.
Round 1
deploy knives - swift action
move to hiding, use stealth
Round 1
Jarreck draws his knives and delays
3 Gearsmen level their laser pistols and fire at Omo and the laser bolts fly harmlessly overhead
Orange and Blue level their spears and charge at Omo +12 both of the Gearsmen hit, dealing plus electrical damage to the alchemist.
Augmented Gearsman levels his timeworn laser rifle at Guaire and fires Guaire is struck three times for fire damage.
Guaire
Omo
Mort
Seven *actions posted
Jarreck
Omo hacks up some blood. It would seem that they very much did not like to be threatened, and that he was not made for melee. In this moment, he felt keenly sympathetic for Jarreck.
He withdraws to put someone inbetween him and the spears.
Guaire spits a few drops too.
"Bah..."
Aiming for blue, he shoots back.
Mort walks up a little closer so he has a little vision on the troublesome shooters.
"Break down and rust away you heaps of malfunctioning trash."
Mort's getting angry and casts his most destructive spell on the cross-section just before the blueish augmented gearsman.
Round 1
Jarreck draws his knives and delays
3 Gearsmen level their laser pistols and fire at Omo and the laser bolts fly harmlessly overhead
Orange and Blue level their spears and charge at Omo both of the Gearsmen hit, dealing 28 plus 6 electrical damage to the alchemist.
Augmented Gearsman levels his timeworn laser rifle at Guaire and fires Guaire is struck three times for 22 fire damage.
Guaire returns fire with his Longbow, his arrows slam into the metal carapace of the robot but deal very little damage.
Omo withdraws
Mort casts a spell +2 the Gearsmen react to Mort's spell.
Seven casts a spell on Jarreck.
Jarreck moves away from the front line, pausing to have Seven cast a spell on him.
Round 2
Gearsmen
Blue and Orange engage Guaire with their spears +10 they miss the lucky ranger.
Red Green and Yellow fire their laser pistols at Mort +5 Looks like all three bolts hit Mort for and fire damage. Looks like Mort is unscathed by the lasers!
Augmented Gearsman fires three times at Guaire and Guaire is riddled with Laserbeams for
Guaire
Omo
Mort
Seven
Jarreck
Guaire coughs up a mouthful of blood.
"Urgh...that really damn hurt....*spit*
And my shots didn't do a darn thing."
5ft steps to north of blue, and total defense...AC to 23/17/16
Omo aims for the gold gearsman with a lightning bomb.
*1.5: 31
Round 2
Gearsmen
Blue and Orange engage Guaire with their spears they miss the lucky ranger.
Red Green and Yellow fire their laser pistols at Mort Looks like all three bolts hit Mort for 7 5 and 6 fire damage. Looks like Mort is unscathed by the lasers!
Augmented Gearsman fires three times at Guaire. Guaire is riddled with Laserbeams for 29
Guaire 5' steps and total defenses
Omo hurls a bomb that splashes against the metal frame of the Gearsman. It shudders from the damage the next Gearsman is splashed with the bomb and sparks fly.
Mort
Seven
Jarreck
Seeing the damage done by the larger Gearsman's rifle, Seventeen knows she must shut it down post haste. The weapon might be timeworn but it was fully charged and lethal. Still it's pathways where prone to arcing and that was something she could exploit. Pointing at the Gearsman she whispers a single word, "Hexus!" investing it with her inner fires, she pushed and a barrage of miniature lightnings erupted from it!
Mort moves 5 feet north and blasts the two gearsmen near Guaire with the same kind of energy as he did a few moments ago.
"May your gears and contraptions rust for eternity. You will not harm my companions."
Round 2
Gearsmen
Blue and Orange engage Guaire with their spears they miss the lucky ranger.
Red Green and Yellow fire their laser pistols at Mort Looks like all three bolts hit Mort for 7 5 and 6 fire damage. Looks like Mort is unscathed by the lasers!
Augmented Gearsman fires three times at Guaire. Guaire is riddled with Laserbeams for 29
Guaire 5' steps and total defenses
Omo hurls a bomb that splashes against the metal frame of the Gearsman. It shudders from the damage the next Gearsman is splashed with the bomb and sparks fly.
Mort sends another explosion of rust at the Gearsmen +2 the rusting spell sends one of the gearsmen crashing to the ground and the other looks staggered as rust creeps over its metal frame.
Seven makes the Gearsman's weapon useless.
Jarreck does indeed catch red unawares and the adamantine dagger does its job well, piercing the metal frame like paper.
Round 3
Gearsmen
Orange moves to engage Guaire
Red whirls to face a new threat and draws a Truncheon to attack Jarreck the metal club strikes Jarreck for
Green and Yellow fire their weapons at the new threat +5 missing.
Augmented Gearsmen hurls down its weapon in what you suppose is a robot version of disgust. It moves forward eager to bash Seven's brains in for ruining its weapon.
Guaire
Omo
Mort
Seven
Jarreck
"Take some distance, towards the exit. Let them move before they can act."
Guaire attempt to dodge the spear and move away.
If he makes it, he draws the potion of CLW, that's on the loot sheet.
"Eat Snow!"
Mort calls out as he conjures up a snowball and hurls it towards orange.
Omo decides that keeping his fire focused was likely a good idea, so he throws another bomb at the gold gearsman
*1.5: 25
He then backs up a bit.
Round 3
Gearsmen
Orange moves to engage Guaire
Red whirls to face a new threat and draws a Truncheon to attack Jarreck the metal club strikes Jarreck for 14
Green and Yellow fire their weapons at the new threat missing.
Augmented Gearsmen hurls down its weapon in what you suppose is a robot version of disgust. It moves forward eager to bash Seven's brains in for ruining its weapon.
Guaire ducks, dodges dives, dips and dodges away from the Gearsman and draws a potion.
Omo tosses a bomb at the lead Gearsman, it crackles against the Frame of the Gearsman and deals considerable damage. The Gearsman crashes to the ground inert. Omo backs into the rubble.
Mort hurls a snowball at the Augmented Gearsman the Augmented Gearsman is rimed with frost and slows down a bit.
Seven
Jarreck
Seeing the sudden success of Mort's spell, Seventeen puts down her miniature shovel and reassesses the situation. Jarreck and Guaire had entered combat with the lesser mechs but they could do with her aid. She talked decisively towards Guaire and whispers a by now familiar phrase: "Tempus fugit!" Suddenly the accelerated motions of the gearsmen felt merely fast.