”This place is far beyond even the bonds of the unnatural. It would indeed be pertinent to destroy it.”
Guaire had noticed the Khellid looking man's manner of speech.
"Say, are you like Seven here?
You know, android?"
"You have a certain way with words."
The archer gives off a casual, yet curious air with the question.
"I agree, though. Things we've encountered are not from this planet. Hostile things."
"The Technic League sought to make me into a machine. In that regard they were partially successful. They also wished to make me compute like a machine. The results of that were...mixed."
Seven, with her previous experience with the power core, is able to rig the entire thing to go critical and explode in less than an hour. The heroes depart the Dominion Hive with the Compact AI core that is Casandalee.
Before you go, Isuma requests you assist her in burying her dead kin. She truly is alone on this world, there are no more of her kind left.
Peytr will not travel with you, the Scar of the Spider is his home, and he plans on remaining vigilant and cleaning the corruption of the Dominion from the Scar once and for all.
Seveteen offers to help and summons a huge earth elemental and instructs it to dig a deep trench. While the elemental is doing her bidding, Seventeen asks Isuma, "What will you do now? Perhaps you might travel to Hajoth Hakados with us, if anyone can help you find your people it is Lady Altouna."
Isuma thinks about it for a while.
This...Hajoth Hakados. This, Lady Altouna, you trust her? Yes? I trust YOU, so if you say she is good. She is good. I have no thoughts now, no home. I will go.
Casandalee fills you in on Unity. She spent the majority of her former life in service to the AI known as Unity.
During an encounter between the Divinity and the Dominion of the Black, the Dominion's alien weaponry crippled the ship, forcing it to flee across an unexpected wormhole to Golarion's solar system, and spread insanity among the ship's crew and AI. As the crew descended into anarchy, the increasingly unstable AI gained control over more of the ship. The last sane crew members decided to scuttle Divinity on the closest inhabitable world before the AI could seize control over life support systems. They hoped to retreat to an inhabitable world after the ship failed, but the crash on Golarion was more devastating than they expected and none of the crew survived.
After the crash, the AI survived and found itself trapped within the ruined ship's central processor. With little to no way to contact the outside world, it took the name Unity and decided to pass the time by creating countless simulated worlds with itself as a ruler. Each time, it played out the genesis, evolution and destruction of worlds in different ways.
After about 4,500 years, Unity realised that the simulated minds had become free-willed and worshipped it as a god. Intrigued, before restarting the simulation, Unity preserved the minds of its favourite worshippers and allowed them access to systems outside the main system. Unity found that its divine powers continued to function, yet only within the deepest layers of Silver Mount.
In the following years, Unity tried in vain to expand its influence outside of Silver Mount. It tried to send robots out, but once a drone left Silver Mount, Unity lost direct control. Its methods of remote control only confirmed that its divine powers had no effects outside Silver Mount, and it became aware that science was not sufficient to extend them.
Just over 3,500 years later, Unity had a breakthrough: one of its dreams found its way into the slumbering mind of the android Casandalee, who sought it out and reached its resting place. Unity converted Casandalee to its faith and ordered her to find a way to transfer its consciousness to a mobile body, but once she found out that Unity was little more than a petulant intelligence eager to enslave the world as its plaything, she sabotaged its escape attempt and stole a few pieces of technology it had originally built in hopes of extending its influence beyond Silver Mount. The enraged Unity realised that allowing its subjects free will was a mistake and sent robots to pursue Casandalee, and although she was defeated, the necessary technology could not be retrieved, forcing Unity to start again.
Hellion, Casandalee explains, was simply a small portion of Unity that achieved a separate consciousness when it moved far enough away from the Silver Mount.
Seventeen replies immediately in her customary monotone, "The probability of her being 'good' is about 97.6427% based on past behavior. Lets return to the Dusklight, it will allow us to travel there quickly."
After hearing about Unity Seventeen becomes perfectly still as if she isn't breathing as all her processing power was diverted to running various simulations. Without any notice she suddenly asks Casandalee, "Is there a way to power Unity down or has it transcended too far? We will need to deal with the Technic League, they will try to hunt me and J-12 down. Do you have any suggestions?"
"If they try to do so, they'll have another thing coming.", Guaire subconsciously pulls his bowstring two times.
*AWK*
The bird makes a short noise, as if to emphasize the comment.
Casandalee replies I don't know if Unity can be depowered now. We must find a way. The Technic League...can they be fooled with magic and disguises?
Isuma nods grimly. You've noticed a change in the alien since you left the Hive. She was never talkative, but now she's almost mute. She is learning the Common Tongue, but her responses lapse almost unconsciously into her native tongue.
You all eventually arrive at the Dusklight, Mort greets you all and fires the engines up.
The trip back to Hajoth Hakados takes some days, but Omo does the majority of the driving. The little ratman chatters away with Casandalee most of the trip. Isuma remains sullen, withdrawn. She spends most of her time cleaning or otherwise fiddling with her weapons.
Soon the walls of Hajoth Hakados come into view and nothing looks any different really...until you enter.
You immediately see that this is no longer the cosmopolitan trading city it once was, it has fully mobilized for war. Soldiers march about in the streets, the shops and traders that once thronged the main thoroughfare are almost nonexistant now. Everyone stops and stares at the Dusklight, which crowds the street but fits well enough.
Omo, through Lanyssa and J-12, has been permission to drive the Dusklight right into town and park it at the compound of Lady Altouna. As the heroes exit the Dusklight they are greeted by several familiar figures.
Cythrul, his lower arms now showing as he makes no effort to hide his alienness, waits with....Hellion? or at least he carries a compact AI core with Hellion's visage the shiny stud of the inhibitor facet is connected to the core.
Greetings. It's been too long. the Witchwyrd says as Guaire Seven, Jarreck and the others pile out of the Dusklight, he audibly gasps as Isuma exits. So, the rumors were true. A true pleasure. Cythrul says in Common to Isuma as he bows, and while she probably understands him she doesn't really respond except to nod.
Slighly behind Cythrul is the Lady Altouna . Next to the Ruler of Hajoth Hakados is a familiar sight, the formerly deranged Android Seerath who hovers protectively close to the Lady. Flanking Lady Altouna on the other side is the Guard Captain Keryo, who Guaire had some dealings with.
The biggest response however is reserved for when Omo pulls out the Compact AI core containing Casandalee. Seerath grabs her head and moans. Hellion begins screaming, but it seems his volume has been turned down because it is barely audible. Cythrul regards Casandalee as someone might a priceless artifact. Lady Altouna gasps in wonder. The unflappable Keryo merely places his hand on his swordhilt and stares.
Casandalee's visage regards Hellion and it silences. Then the Lady Altouna says
We have much to discuss. Much indeed. You have succeeded, and perhaps our cause is not lost.
The heroes are led into the compound and given secure rooms. There are guards everywhere, where once there were almost none. Seerath never leaves Altouna's side. You get the sense something has happened here, perhaps an attempt on Altouna's life.
Lady Altouna invites the heroes to a meeting after they have cleaned and fed themselves.
The heroes arrive and see the same beings as before (minus Hellion) plus the Ironpriest Bricius and a stocky Dwarven woman you've never met who introduces herself as Dronkar, Master of the Syntheriad.
Altouna speaks The war has not begun well. Torch has been lost. The enemy even now turns its eyes towards us here. Our allies in the Scrapyard have promised assistance, but it may arrive too late, and may not be enough. However, there is renewed hope now. The driving force behind this war is the Technic League, but...we believe that something sinister lurks behind these more aggressive actions, something entirely other. Casandalee holds the answers to what this is, why the Technic League has shifted from simply hording knowledge and extorting Starfall to aggressively conquering the surrounding lands. The AI Hellion has told us much, revealed something about what lives in the Silver Mount. Casandalee has said she might be able to assist in somehow neutralizing whatever it is. It is not a God. Not yet, if it were we would already be destroyed.
When Lady Altouna had finished Seventeen rather over eagerly blurted out, "It's called Unity, the threat below silver mount. It would enslave us all, but before we can reach Unity we must deal with the technic league once and for all."
Lanyssa constantly searches the attendants, looking for a specific face, though it seems clear Jolanda is not here. The initial hype of being back alive is followed by some sadness, a light melancholy.
Things go too fast to have the luxury of feeling blue, though. A meeting with Lady Altouna and her staff updates Lanyssa and the rest on the situation, and it doesn't look good. And the Technic League seems to be only one of their problems.
"So, is Casandalee working on a strategy to follow?"
Casandalee answers.
I am. I believe that Unity has somehow taken control of the Technic League. If they penetrated far enough into the Divinity, er Silver Mount, they would come into contact with Unity through its minions. We must somehow gain access to The Divinity. Only there can we confront Unity, we must destroy it's aggregate, and then the hard part, we must invade the Godmind, the virtual world that houses the AI.
"That seems quite easier said than done" Lanyssa responds. "Any viable plan to turn our wishes into a real thing?"
"One thing is certain, we will need to travel there." noted Seventeen before suggesting, "Ideally we find somebody who has been there recently first so we don't walk in blind."
She asks Lady Altouna, "Is there anyone here who has traveled there?"
Altouna speaks
We may have a solution. To confront Unity you need access to the Silver Mount, that means you need to get through the Technic League. They control all access to the Silver Mount, they are the only ones that know the codes to enter....
Casandalee cuts in If you find the location of the Divinity I can get us access. Unfortunately my memory is a bit hazy on the location of the exit.
Isuma says I remember the Divinity. For me, it was like I was there just a few months ago.
Altouna nods at them both and continues The problem of the Technic League remains. I have assets in Starfall still. My agent is named Mockery, he has been active in creating an insurgency in the Capital. Once you arrive in Starfall make contact with him. I've refrained from contacting him directly, since the League has been monitoring magical and technical communication lately. My hope is that you can create enough chaos in the capital that the League, and the Black Sovereign's forces are thrown into disarray. This will allow us to take back Torch, and perhaps more.
"Creating chaos hmm?
Sabotage of their logistics comes to mind, for one.
Perhaps trying to set them up among one another, create some infighting."
"Yes. To set ones enemies against each other would be logical." said Seventeen in her customary monotone, "We must leave soon, but first we must ensure we have sufficient supplies. Perhaps I should pen some scrolls."
Seventeen suddenly looked at Omo, "Brother, we should travel to Torch and see what happened to Father."
The trip to Torch is uneventful, the Dusklight makes for easy travel and few nefarious denizens of Numeria would dare molest the technological marvel.
The familiar outskirts of Torch appear on the horizon after two short days of travel. However, something is amiss....there's smoke clouding over where it shouldn't be.
The town is some mile or so off....do you approach in the Dusklight or do you exit and approach on foot?
Seventeen had spent much of the time penning scrolls while they traveled in the comfort of the Dusklight.
2nd: Mirror Images, Resist Energy, Glitterdust, Invisibility, See Invisibility
3rd: Dispel Magic, Fly, Ablative sphere, Magic Circle vs evil, Stinking Cloud
4th: Rebuke Technology, Piercing Slow, Aggressive Thundercloud Greater
5th: Icy Prison, Wall of light
6th: Greater Dispel Magic, Sirocco
When they where within a few miles of Torch Seventeen suddenly spoke "We don't know what the situation is in Torch. Omo please find a place to park, I'll head there on foot and see if we can find out where Father is."
Llanta usa clearly not the stealthiest around, but she wouldn't let Seventeen go there alone. She offers to go with her, though inside she's hoping someone else does who won't put the scouting in jeopardy.
Seventeen inclined her head when Lanyssa made to follow. Speaking softly but
tonelessly and without emotion Seventeen said, "I am uncertain of the welcome we may receive in Torch. I intend to go openly. A provocation if the league have taken it, but I think we are not unprepared..."
Lvl 1 x3: Acid Maw, Gravity bow, Gravity Bow
Lvl 2 x2: Barkskin, SNA 2
Lvl 3 x2: Bloody Arrows, Resist energy [communal]
"Damn right we're not unprepared. We've come too far to let them stop us now."
Seven flies above Torch and through the smoke she can see that Torch has recently been attacked.
As seventeen flies over the destruction she tries to spot Khonnir Bane's house wondering what became of it.
Regardless she soon returns to her companions and informs them, "The League have attacked recently and there are Gearsmen still here. We must proceed with caution. I suggest we try and find Councillor Khonnir Bane, if there is any resistance he will be involved."
Using three of the scrolls she penned, Seventeen impressed the irrational concept of Heroism upon her companions. Naturally a purely logical creature such as her self was immune to such things...
Guaire nods at the suggestion.
"A good point. It's important we get as many people out alive, sort to speak, as we can."
(looking over at the cyberized Kellid
"You've a fair share of beef with them, right?"
Seventeen starts walking forwards, "I plan to fly over to that entrance and. Lets see what we find within." She whispers a pair of spells and vanishes and rises above the ground.
J-12 nods at Guaire, "Affirmative. When combat with them must begin, say the word. I will be ready."
Lanyssa has no way to turn invisible, but she tries to play the card of not being known around here. She directs herself to the nearest entrance, trying to look like a Jane Doe adventurer looking out for shelter.
Seven leads the heroes towards the town, and now that you are closer you notice that it bears the telltale signs of attack. There are scorch marks on walls, stains that might be blood or some other bodily liquid darken the ground. However, nothing moves.
Seven quickly spots a Gearsman, and upon closer examination it looks....off, as if someone or something deprived it of a power source.
Seventeen examines the remains of the robots. In her usual monotone she reported her findings, "There are various magiics that can deactivate robots. Father knew several, perhaps this is his work. Lets check his residence to see if he's still there."
She will lead the party in that direction, while several subroutines keep careful watch for danger.
Lanyssa follows Seventeen's instructions, being a foreigner to the place. Her eyes open wide in surprise at some of the speech, though. "Father?"
"That's what all Khonnir Bane's charges called him." replied Seventeen immediately, "Of course none of us are biologically related. This body was created in a laboratory possibly on another planet although I am lead to believe I am new. Omo was borne somewhere near Torch but he never knew his parents. The thing we have in common is Khonnir Bane who rescued us from destitution and quite probably the Technic League."
Khonnir's home is empty. There are signs that things were hastily packed...
Distracted by the memories the place evokes, Seventeen fails to notice whatever is approaching.
"Hmm. The place looks hastily abandoned.
I wonder what.......hang on, something's coming!"
Guaire notches an arrow, aiming to where he heard the sound from.
Noticing an attack, Lanyssa quickly tries to protect the member of the team most vulnerable, which is the one that isn't aware of tyhe ambush.
J-12 notices the enemy and says, ”Hostiles approaching. Readying for engagement.” With that, he pulls the cord on his chainsaw and turns a dial, which would normally only go to ten, up to a somewhat crudely added eleven.
Surprise
Repurposed Surgeon flies forward on its repulsors. 0101101011011011
J-12 hears something coming, and he quickly prepares by turning on his chainsaw. Let's Get Busy he thinks
Guaire spots the Repurposed Surgeon bot from the window, and he fires through the window. The arrow stikes remarkably true. , an invisible barrier seems to block the worst of the arrow's velocity.
Commando Gearsmen react to some unheard command and begin moving.
Seven is oblivious to the fighting...for now.
Lanyssa casts a spell designed to protect.
Round 1
Repurposed Surgeon fires its integrated laser at J-12 through the window , barely scorching his armor. The robot then moves. It's coldly calculating metal head focused on Khonnir Bane's home.
J-12
Guaire
Commando Gearsmen
Seven
Lanyssa
"Seven, we've got one of those surgical tool-sheds on wheels on our hands."
Guaire heads to the window, next to J-12, and shoots another arrow at the bot.