Alyn remembers the fighting styles that worked best against these enemies and attacks in formation with Trick.
Triggered AOOs stop if one fails to hit
Other attacks independent of AOOs
The worst of her wounds healed, Lara unshoulders her bow and starts lobbing arrows.
for dmg
for dmg
Assuming that Alyn and Trick take out green with their frenzy of attacks Kragg moves around the center column around to flank with Derym and Lolito.He draws upon the blessing of Abadar to speed his movement to get into position and still make a single attack.
+1 short sword for
Blasted by the force missiles, and feeling his companions presence, Lolito steps back and drinks a potion.
Derym quickly casts another shocking grasp, using the blade to discharge it into the soldier.
for
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Lolito backs off and drinks a potion.
Alyn and Trick, finally in position for a full attack lay into the green robot, smashing it to pieces. they then continue to hit it a few more times to make really sure it is dead. then trick bites it.
Lara puts two accurate arrows into the magic-using clockwork machine, and then Kragg finishes it off from behind.
Derym uses another spell through his sword and plunges it into the final machine. The metallic foe is very conductive which makes the hit critical and does a bunch of extra damage, killing the thing in one shot!
Suddenly the fight goes from being a bit dangerous to being done. all three automatons are badly damaged and lie still.
"Do these creatures have any useful parts? Anything to salvage or study?"
Lara cautiously enters the room now that the fight is over, bow held at the low ready and an arrow nocked to the string. After a few moments, once it seems obvious that the automatons are no longer a threat, she shoulders her bow and inspects them.
Kragg will pull out his wands of cure light wounds to heal the party as he also looks at the display that originally said not power. Hopefully he gets anindicationof what it says now. That is the first of many steps to repair and reprogram any thing that may stillbe functional in the complex.
Lolito steps back, still in pain from the clockworks' pounding, and appreciates the party display "That technique is boom destructive. Thanks everyone, they surrounded me pretty fast."
The monk accepts Kragg's healing.
"Is there anything we can do with those pieces?" Lolito searches through the room, trying to find any indication of the Aboleth.
The group heals up from Kragg's wand
20 uses total from the wand
While the others use the wand, Kragg examines the controls again. The 'no power' message is gone, and Kragg (with only a little trial and error now that he's seen a few of these panels) is able to look at the commands that were entered into the console last.
It looks like the winding station in this room was set to reprogram the clockwork soldiers to defend the facility from any outsiders. It looks like the reprogramming was done quite hastily and doesn't have much included to differentiate friend from foe, which may have led to the things just attacking anything that moved.
You think you would be able to use this station to reset the programming of some clockwork constructs if you had one intact enough to function. The ones you fought in here are pretty beat up but could possibly be repaired if you had the materials and time.
The group wonders about where to go next. Now that the power is on, you hear the sounds of clockwork gears moving through the walls, and slight vibrations in the floor. It would appear that more than just this room has come back to life with the switches being flipped.
Lolito listens Kragg's explanations about the clockwork reprogramming "Ah, time. That is what humanity always seeks for. More time for love, more time for work, more time to do this and that. But we get old and have to give up invariably on this and that..." the man rambles before coming to something more objective "We have to find the colonists before it is too late though. Maybe this vibrations we can hear now means something is on the move on some other room"
"We should check back the areas we have already been" and with this, Lolito sets himself on the move, and starts checking if something has changed in the nearby areas.
Kragg feels the thrumming beneath his feet and when he touches the walls. This place is alive almost now. Quite different than when we first arrived. I agree that we need to go back to the other areas and look around. Specifically, we need to go back to that room where the the partial golem was and see if we can't now finish it and bring it to this room. With the power back up and the control panel functioning we can reprogram it to our needs and tell it that we are friends and to only take commands from us. It may know where the colonists are even!
While I am working on the golem creature, if the rest of you want to go together to search the complex for anything that may have changed, go ahead. I have been blessed by Abadar with a miracle of transportation if I need to flee quickly.
Lolito listens to the wise voice of Kragg and nods in agreement "That sounds a wise thing to attempt. If you think you can bring it back to live and collaborate, maybe it has information to help us."
"Apsu hear you and bring us the information of where the colonists are..." Lolito goes grab the golem and gives his strength and patience to transport all the parts for where Kragg can work on them.
Derym nods, "Seems a wise course of action, but...", he quickly casts message, "...now you can alert us if there is an issue."
Alyn walks over with Lolito not wanting him to have to bear the burden alone.
He will also inspect walls to see what is happening and see if he can determine any direction that it is coming from.
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Lolito moves quickly through the explored rooms looking for changes.
C9: there is a loud humming noise in this room. Pulling the lever next to the forge ignites it! it quickly builds up heat from a jet of blue flame that ignites in the hearth.
C7: the broken clockwork construct is still in here. Nothing seems to have changed, but you now have access to the forge for repairs and the programming station, which Kragg points out.
Alyn and Lolito work together to bring the semi-intact golem into the forge room for Kragg to begin working on. Then Lolito continues to the other two rooms
C3, C2: nothing seems to have changed in these rooms. the sounds are fainter here, and you don't think that anything in them is powered by the activated room.
Kragg begins working on fixing the construct. there are a lot of parts in the forge room that could be used, along with broken pieces off of the soldiers that you fought.
Alyn walks around trying to find other areas that might be activated, by listening to the walls. when walking in the hallways and in the library he hears more humming and gears. It sounds like soemthing has changed in the flooded area, in C17
After his inspection of the area, Lolito makes it back to the forge "There is nothing new in those areas. How is the crafting going Kragg? Do you think you can avoid the golem to be hostile while you fix it?"
Lolito will try to help Kragg, with his rudimentary knowledge on mobile structures, moving tools, or just giving more life to the flames as needed.
Craft clockwork with guidance
After tinkering for a bit and studying the different pieces available to those that look broken Kragg realizes he doesn’t have a perfect sense of what is going on but does feel that he may yet figure it out at some point. This is the most complex thing I have ever seen. It might take me longer than we have to get a good grasp on the construct. I am pretty certain with the gloves though that I can reprogram it safely.
Kragg begins the process of working on the construct. It is a very complicated machine, but luckily it is not nearly as badly damaged as one might have guessed. Kragg finds traces of preservation magic on the parts that have magically kept it from rusting over or degrading over time.
To actually build a device like this would be beyond the party's capabilities, but the majority of the device seems to be functional. it needs a few broken pieces repaired, and the missing limb restored, but Kragg is able to manage that with the other pieces in the room and with the help of the functioning forge.
this construct has a key in its back that could be turned to reactivate it, and has a curious ioun stone implanted in its head. it seems fused to the construct, and not easily removed.
While Kragg works, Derym studies the fused ioun stone.
Lolito tries to assist Kragg as much as possible. When the dwarf tells the construct is ready, Lolito deduces the key in the back is some sort of power source.
"Guess we ought to try, isn't it? Be ready for in case the construct breaks havoc as the others..." then he puts his hands on the key, and with some patience and strength, he winds up the ancient Azlanti creature.
detect magic and spellcraft on the ioun stone w/ guidance
Hold Lolito, I am not finished yet with this construct. You wind that key it may reanimate and attack us. There is more that we must do besdies just repair the damage to it.
Before Lolito turns any key though he brings the completed construct to the programming room. Hooking it up to one of the alcoves he uses his gloves on the control panel to fully understand how to reprogram the construct to obey orders only from him or the party. Once that is accomplished then he will let Lolito turn the key.
Derym and Kragg take a closer look at that ioun stone.
They determine that it is a ioun memory node. They know that a stone like this fused to a clockwork construct would give it almost humanlike sentience. This is apparently no ordinary clockwork golem.
Lolito tries to wind the machine, but is stopped by Kragg who wants to reprogram it first.
Unfortunately this clockwork device does not seem to have the right interface to connect to the connection points in the programming room. the other constructs that you fought in this room have slots in their backs that connect to nodes in the alcoves that could be used to adjust their programming. This construct does not have those slots. the key sticking out of its back is in the same place as those slots are on the soldiers.
Derym says, "From what I can see of the ioun stone... this one isn't running a simple program. It would have a type of intelligence, and is probably able to alter its program... though that means we don't know what its original program was or how much it may have changed."
Lolito listens Kragg, then to Derym, then back to the key at the construct's back "If... if it has some kind of human sentience... then maybe we can communicate with it like we do with a living creature... I think it is worth the try."
He stares at Kraag with pledging eyes that call out "can I?"
Kragg emailed at the exuberance of Lolito like a young dwarf lad first time picking up a pick axe. Go ahead lad and have at it.
Lolito smiles showing his crooked teeth, his face illuminated with satisfaction "Yu!" as he starts winding up the construct's key "I bet it is a cooking robot. I yarn for a good stew"
"Whatever happens this will be exciting."
Lara looks to Kragg. "Do you have any more water-breathing magic? We may want to take another look in the flooded area."
Kragg nods the affirmative, Yes, I have one other miracle in scroll form. Should we need it I will gladly cast it but I am hoping that we are able to figure out much here before we need to enter the water again. Depending on how long this takes us we may even need to rest once again and I can pray to Abadar for the blessing directly.
"The place seems secured right now, you can rest again if the breathing blessing is over. I will remain vigilant while you do" Lolito adds to the discussion, while he waits to see the results of the winding up.
The repairs and investigation took close to three hours. it is hard to gauge time in this place as the half-sunken temple has very little outside light coming in except for the front hallways. it is mid to late afternoon currently.
While Lara and Kragg discuss preparations for going back into the water, and possibly taking a rest, Lolito is excited to try the construct out.
He winds the key on the thing's back several times.
After a moment the construct moves into a seated position and then stands. it wobbles a bit as the repairs that Kragg made are good but need to be calibrated by the construct to function fully.
it turns and looks at each of you without comment for a minute.
then in Azlanti it says
“Well met, visitors. I am Aoinse. What brings you here?”
Kragg will translate for the others whom may not understand Azlanti. In return to answers Aoinse, Well met indeed. I am Kragg and we are here looking for both knowledge and wisdom. Tell me please, what is the date today and what is your role here?
Derym blinks, Well, now, that's unexpected...
If you thought he was building an enemy, why did you let him do it? Don't you have enough enemies?
Because there was only one of him and many of us... and I was hoping it wouldn't be one.
That's because you're boring.
No, it's because I want to learn what's going on here, rather than just stab you into everything that moves.
Like I said, boring...
Derym does his best not to sigh, then nods in support of Kragg's statement.
Alyn listens along cautiously holding back his excitement to talk to the creature.
Lara hangs back a few steps from the construct. Good that at least one of the constructs in this place isn't immediately hostile.
Lolito staggers for a second, surprised to hear the construct talking, he only reacts after hearing Kragg "Oh, wow, that is so so interesting. Hello Aoinse! Are you from ancient Azlant?!! Do you have memories of that time? I have some many questions... do you know about the aboleth?"
The carpenter fills in the construct about what they are doing here "You will see, one of those aboleth took our colonist friends and it brought them here. So we came to save them. Any idea of a secret room in the temple where the aboleth might be hiding? We have been everyone but found none"
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The construct turns its attention to Kragg first.
Hello Kragg! Unfortunately I cannot tell you the current day or time. In fact i was hoping you could tell me how long i have been dormant.
As for my role, I serve the priests of Amaznen. I am, or was, the personal assistant of the astronomer-priest Imosele.
Lolito interjects his own questions, and Aoinse attempts to answer him as well
"Ancient Azlant you say? So... it has been a long time then. I have near-perfect memories, from the time that the Azlanti Empire was the dominant nation in this region. I remember my service here, to three generations of priests.
“I remember the cataclysm. It was late afternoon. The sky was on fire and rocks burned through the atmosphere on their way to the ground. There were earthquakes and forest fires. The Kelveth River that flowed between Shaval-Kehn and Kalas-Ti was choked with burning debris. It swelled beyond its banks and rushed back upstream. Ash and deadly gases filled the air, killing many of the priests. Some of them were able to leave the cathedral in time, but since they never returned, I can only assume they perished, too. I couldn’t feel my connection to Amaznen—I still cannot—and I suspect it was the same for the other priests.”
"I know nothing about this Aboleth, but that is dire news indeed. to have such evil in my temple! you must root it out at once!
There are indeed secret ways inside of this temple. it goes down much further than it looks. the ritual room downstairs opens into more areas, but I do not know much about what is kept down there. It was not my role to see past that one room."
Fortunately, Lolito is acquaintance enough with Azlanti language by now for him to properly follow the construct's speech "That sounds like a dire time... I am sorry you had to go through such an experience."
Lolito is overtaken by the construct description of the Cataclism "I fear Amaznen and other of Azlant gods sacrificed themselves to try soften the impact. But there is Apsu, whose goodness is looking after us, and tries to make sure none of Dahak's evilness harms this region. He will comfort you if you are in need Aoinse"
"There are indeed secret ways inside of this temple. it goes down much further than it looks. the ritual room downstairs opens into more areas, but I do not know much about what is kept down there. It was not my role to see past that one room."
This last part, Lolito makes sure to translate for anyone that does not know Azlanti "A secret passage in the ritual room? How do we open that secret door Aoinse?"
Derym reels slightly at the thought of all that could be learned from the construct about the Azlanti, stopping to reassure his blade that the knowledge could include new forms of fencing.
Lolito's question pulls at his attention, then he adds, "Would you be able to, perhaps, draw us a map?"
the construct continues to converse with Lolito in Azlanti
"there is an altar in the room that has two metal rods sticking up from it. inside the altar is a node where an activator stone can be placed that will power the hidden door"
once Derym's questions is translated across, it replies
"I can draw a map of this level, I have not been allowed into the lower reaches of the temple."
Kragg marveled at the intricacies of the creature in front of him. You are simply amazing. You knew there was a passage of time yet did not know how much had passed while dormant. As for the date it is ___________ . Are you willing to travel with us as we root out this evil Aboleth. That way we have teh opportunity to talk and exchange information while we look for our missing people? In particular I am interested in the room below that has multiple statues in it.I know that they must be the gods of the Azlanti but I can not place whom all of them are. I know of Abadar as he is my god but he rest perhaps you could help with.
At the mention of the ritual room Kragg thinks back to what they explored previously. I believe that you have filled in a gap in our knowledge. We were able to inspect that device earlier and Lara even put a stone in the slot to try and activate it. However, without the power restored nothing happened. I am certain that should we head there now the secret open will be revealed!
Kragg also asks Aoinse about some of the other confounding aspects of the complex. Do you know what the mask is for int eh alcove to the south? Or who has wielding the sword in the room furthest to the south?
"Truly fascinating. To retain so much information and capacity for so long a time." Alyn writes furiously. "This will be great for the archives."
Once the group seems to have no more questions, Lolito helps the construct to stand up and walk, taking him up if needed.
"Ok, let's go see this altar Aoinse. Yes come with us" Lolito will take the construct with the party in order to check if what it says is true, and Kragg theory confirms with the power having opened the secret door.