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Lewdon continues to press in an attempt to distract the AI. Kharax invisibly moves behind Richard and splices together a few wires.
Alpha finds a loose panel and jams his shield in, breaking a power supply. Alpha's shield doesn't seem to do nearly as much damage as he hoped it would.
Richard heals even more of his wounds as Hellion seems unstoppable.
"You can not continue this forever. I am infinite. Gods do not tire."
Both claws lash out and only one manages to get ahold ofLewdon's waist. Squeezing tight the hydraulically-driven pressure crushes several bones before releasing the cyborg.
meanwhile the scorpion tail lights up once more and fires several shots at Alpha.
All three plasma blasts rip into Alpha's metal exterior, softening it like a thin sheet of noodles.
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Hellion (-87; Inhibitor facet; -4 att / saves)
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Lewdon (20/56)
Kharax (44/62; Invisible)
Alpha (1/51)
Richard (41/51)
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Hellion (-87; Inhibitor facet; -4 att / saves)
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"Kharax, Alpha needs more help!"
Richard recovers his second autograpnel from his haversack and aims at Hellion.
Alpha keeps fighting the would-be god.
Kharax moves over to the battered android, using the wand to repair more damaged circuits!
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Lewdon and Alpha's words and attacks fall on deaf ears as they barely manage but a few scratches.
Kharax invisibly moves closer to the raging AI and sends more nanites into Alpha's circuits as the previous set runs low on their battery source and fall still, absorbing into the circuitry.
Richard decides enough is enough and digs his second autograpnal from his pack and fires it into Hellion's chest.
Hellion crouches down low to the ground as his weapons power down. The voice in the AI changes as it almost turns pleading.
"I believe you have earned mercy. Show mercy yourself and I shall give you a life well beyond your imagination."
Hellion says as he attempts to plead for his life.
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Hellion (-107; Inhibitor facet; -4 att / saves)
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Lewdon (20/56)
Kharax (44/62; Invisible)
Alpha (16/51)
Richard (41/51)
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Hellion (-107; Inhibitor facet; -4 att / saves)
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"That would be illogical."
Alpha continues to attack the god-who-talked-too-much.
Richard considers Hellion's plea for a split second. For some reason he isn't constructed with the same hardwired logic as Alpha, and sympathy is an emotion he understands. But, Alpha's determined logic is right in this moment. Hellion is too dangerous to set free.
I am sorry.
Richard thumbs the button on his autograpnel, releasing the adamantine spike and reeling it back into firing position.
Kharax silently agrees with Alpha's statement, knowing that Torch will only be safe with Hellion's defeat. He continues to patch up the andriod.
-Posted with Wayfinder
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Lewdon's club bounces off the Hellion's hard exterior as Kharax continues his work.
Alpha's shield flings away another steel paneling, exposing a large motherboard within.
Richard flips the switch as his autograpnal reels itself back in, resetting it for another round.
Enraged, Hellion rears back up his weapons glaring back to life. "You dare turn down my offer of mercy! Insolent beings..."
Hellion's circuits begin to short out as smoke roils out from his chassis. His voice become garbled, frightened even.
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Hellion (-117; Inhibitor facet; -4 att / saves)
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Lewdon (20/56)
Kharax (44/62; Invisible)
Alpha (28/51)
Richard (41/51)
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Hellion (-117; Inhibitor facet; -4 att / saves)
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"The word you are failing to pronounce correctly is logical." Alpha replies continuing to swing his mighty shield.
Taking aim at Hellion's exposed circuits, Richard grits his teeth and fires his autograpnel.
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Completely in sync with one another Richard and Alpha focus in on Hellion's exposed mother board and shatter the massive circuit. Sparks begin to arc out of every joint. "Noooooo!"
Hellion's chassis explodes sending shrapnel in all directions.
With the destruction of Hellion’s robot chassis and the excavator’s central processor, Hellion is no longer a threat to Numeria. All that seems to be left is returning to Torch to collect your reward that the Town Council promised and escorting Dinvaya on your way.
Hellion was nothing more than a symptom of a much larger and more dangerous problem. As powerful as the AI was, he was the least of the Iron Gods! This Mysterious force known as Unity seems to be a far larger threat if it was able to create an AI as powerful as Hellion.
Lewdon (-8/56)
Kharax (16/62; Invisible)
Alpha (0/51)
Richard (13/51)
"The battle has reached its logical conclusion." Alpha says stowing his shield.
Richard dodges the brunt of the explosion. As the smoke clears he looks for his companions, hoping they survived.
"Everyone alive?"
Finding Lewdon among Hellion's wreckage, Richard sings a healing song and tries to stop the bleeding.
The explosion surprises Kharax, but with Alpha in front of him, he survives the blast. Seeing Lewdon fall, he uses the wand to revitalize the cybernetic warrior.
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It is a long and barren journey back to Torch as Dinvaya joins you back to her hometown. While your time in Scrapewall has proven, well eventful the entire place turns into absolute chaos as the many factions now vie for power through raids and assassination attempts upon hearing of Hellion's demise.
Back in Torch you are met by several familiar faces, including the cobbler Maruf who seems quite pleased to see you all still alive. Khonnir and the other town councilors look interested if not afraid. as they pour over your recovered papers and information.
Between information gleaned from the walls of Hellion’s lair and from the pages of its minions (particularly the priest Nalakai and the orc barbarian Kulgara), the PCs should have learned that a much more dangerous and more powerful entity dwells in Silver Mount—an entity that Hellion despised and feared known as “Unity.” More importantly, you have learned of the android oracle Casandalee, a prophet and onetime worshiper of Unity whom Hellion regarded as something of a kindred spirit—even as a sister. Hellion believed that Casandalee knew much of Unity: its defenses, its weaknesses, and ways it could be combated. Before mounting its assault on Silver Mount, Hellion wanted desperately to track down Casandalee, for according to its information, she fled Silver Mount after betraying Unity and took with her a device known as a neurocam.
After several days of waiting you are all called back by Khonnir as the town councilers have gathered once again. Khonnir rubs his brow. "This has all been a lot to take in." He gestures to the stack of journals. "If even half of this is true then we need to find Casandalee first. There could be a lot of information stored on that device or at the very least we can mine her brain for a few clues."
Khonnir picks up a journal. "According to Hellion, Casandalee’s flight from Unity ended inside a buried fragment of the crashed starship Destiny, under what is now the town of Iadenveigh, yet the artificial intelligence hadn’t had the chance to mount an expedition to investigate."
Khonnir smacks the metal slab of a table with a curled hand that also seems to ring of metal. "Ah! Almost forgot. Here is your reward as promised." He slides a small metal chest across the table that is filled with all manner of coins.
Having pieced together himself much of what the council has concluded, Richard has not spent the days idle. Locked away in a private room of the Silverdisk Hall, he has committed his thoughts into a detailed journal, and arranged a song that tells the tragic story of Hellion's rise and fall as an Iron God.
It was a hard story for Richard to tell. As an android he is tied to the spacefaring origins that spawned Unity, Hellion, and Casandalee. As a citizen of Torch he is tied to the people of the city. The unusual nature of his emotions has always been a source of mystery to him, but also a bridge between his artificial and adopted life. He had hoped to learn more about artificial intelligence, sentience, and the evolution of artificial creatures from Hellion, but had only come away with more questions. Casandalee, if she still lives, may offer more insight, and so he is eager to find her.
"We cannot confirm the true threat of Unity, but I am willing to seek out Casandalee and see what she knows. This reward will be well spent in supplies to aid our mission. I thank you for it."
Alpha spends his time studying and working on upgrading his shield. The fight with Hellion was too close for the android's liking. His shield was not as optimal as it could be.
"Yes, that is a logical course of action. "
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Joram is beyond delighted as Dinvaya returns back home. He warmly greets his old associate as they spend the next several hours catching up on new and old tales, including what has been happening within Scrapwall itself.
The next morning a hand-wrapped package is lying at your doorstep containing a lesser metamagic rod and a hand-written note.
"I can't thank you enough for getting word to Dinvaya for me. The Technic League had been after her for so long I knew she would be difficult to speak to as she had gone into hiding. As promised. Here is the rod and if you ever need anything in the future you know where to find me."
-Joram Kyte, High Priest of Brigh
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From the town of Torch, the most direct route to Iadenveigh is via a dusty road leading west toward the Gorum Pots at the headwaters of the Dagger River, and then down along the river’s banks. This is a trip of approximately 140 miles.
Iadenveigh, situated a mile west of the turbulent Dagger River, is one of the largest settlements in southern Numeria. The Dagger River Road winds from north to south through Iadenveigh, wrapping around a rocky hill the locals call the Brow. A massive rampart of earth and stone stretches along both sides of the road to greet visitors and surrounds the town and its farms. It hugs the contours of the land, rising from 10 to 15 feet high, and is crowned with rows of jutting antlers which give it its name—the Elkhorn Wall. Visible above the Elkhorn Wall are the spires of a few buildings and a round bell tower. On the northwest face of the Brow, the stone walls and dark wood trim of the sprawling lodge known as the High Home provide a welcome sight for many weary travelers.
"Well, there it is." Richard looks upon the city of Iadenveigh and adjusts his new gunbelt. Studying the new place tries to recall anything he might have heard or read about it.
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Richard knows a little bit about the town through various bits or research and memory modules found in his travels.
Iadenveigh is a large town populated primarily by lawful good worshipers of Erastil. The rustic, pious townsfolk of Iadenveigh hate and fear technology, as they have seen technological artifacts produce disastrous explosions and terrible mutations.
The people of Iadenveigh are hardworking and pious. Though the town is only 65 years old, life for many is already well-established; the average adult in Iadenveigh plies the trade of her parents and teaches it to her children. Worship of Erastil is nearly universal, and many citizens boast of seeing Erastil atop the Brow in the form of a red elk half-obscured by the morning mists. Brother Gahuar Derviec, the town’s high priest, enriches the community’s crops with liberal use of plant growth and oversees a dozen part-time acolytes. Like most of Iadenveigh’s citizens, the acolytes also work as hunters, farmers, and trappers, though the town also boasts several skilled stonemasons, cobblers, and brewers. Residents consider fences to be unneighborly, and make use of the rich soil between their houses by planting communal gardens and orchards. Where property divisions must be marked, the townspeople prefer hedges or f lower gardens. Iadenveigh’s farms and gardens produce a variety of crops, but the people rely on hunting for most of their meat.
The townspeople shun alien technology in all forms. Visitors with advanced Numerian technology are given a cold welcome and, upon the slightest suspicion of trouble, ejected forcibly from the town. Magic that closely approximates technology, particularly alchemy and construct crafting, tends to make locals nervous as well, but not nearly as much so as brazen displays of super-science. Many of Iadenveigh’s older residents bear mutations, such as extra digits or animalistic features, triggered by drinking tainted water in their youth or inherited from their elders.
Iadenveigh is ruled by the eighteen-member Deadeye Council. Although the council consists predominantly of prosperous elderly residents, the few exceptions, such as the young hunter Redfang and the town’s surveyor Theska Longeye, often sway the voting of the stodgy assembly. The Deadeye Council appoints an ealdorman or ealdorwoman for day-to-day town governance. The current ealdorman is the affable Ivik Gunnett.
The town, ringed by the antler-topped Elkhorn Wall, is centered around the Brow; the bare hill’s rocky slopes boast the sprawling High Home and a communal vineyard. Most of Iadenveigh’s tradespeople live and work in the Bell Quarter, a residential area west and southwest of the hill. The Westwalk separates the Bell Quarter from the orchard-f illed Hardblossoms neighborhood to the north and northwest. The southwest edge of Hardblossoms is home to orchard laborers—a neighborhood called Pickers, consisting of smaller houses and multi-family dwellings. The largest area in Iadenveigh is the Sward, which sprawls north and east of the Brow. This rich lan boasts several productive farms, most worked by large families. Spreading southeast from the Brow is a dense snarl of thick woods known as the Tangles. South of the Brow is the rocky badland called Badwater, full of springs bearing a mutating taint.
Iadenveigh is a regional headquarters of the Banner of the Stag, an organization dedicated to protecting small communities and outposts by training local militias and coordinating intercommunity defense. The Banner of the Stag also investigates serious crimes in Iadenveigh such as arson or murder, and favors swift, decisive execution to demonstrate vigilance and deter wrongdoing in others. Examples of the Deadeye Council’s rural justice include being staked to the ground near a bear’s cave or being weighted with stones and thrown in Longbitter Lake. Of course, such extreme punishments are not pronounced without just cause, and most of the petty crimes in town are handled in less severe methods such as public service or humiliation.
Richard takes some time to fill in his companions on what he knows of Iadenveigh.
"... and so while they are generally good people, they will not give us a warm welcome if we show up armed like space invaders." He glances at Alpha and Lewdon, silently sighing. "Try to keep your armor and helms on, and maybe throw on a cloak or something. Lewdon, do you have gloves for those hands? Also, I think that chainsaw will need to be stowed in my bag until it's really needed."
For himself, Richard takes care to tuck away his firearms and arrange his hair and hood, double-checking that they still conceal his android markings.
"Affirmative. Organics can be quite illogical with their baseless fears." Alpha states readjusting his helmet.
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Assuming the rest hide their alien technology and android markings with cloaks the group heads off to Iadenveigh. The approach to town is met with warm smiles as parents hug their children closely. The lack of technology, including alchemy throughout town makes the large settlement seem quaint and simple by modern day standards of living. One of the guards at the front gate holds his hand out to stop and speak with you as he does each traveler and trader entering the town.
"Been to Iadenveigh before?"
Richard takes the lead and offers a friendly smile to the guard.
"We have not had the pleasure to visit this city before, though I hear it is a fine place, with good honest citizens."
"Yeah, jus' thought we'd check out the place. Seemed like a good stop for weary travelers and all."
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The guard produces a wooden disc. "Take this to Redfang in the High Home." He turns to point at a sprawling wooden building on top of the hill. "Redfang is one of the leaders and current caretaker of High Home and welcomes all visitors. Mainly to determine if they are a threat or asset to the town as I am sure you understand."
The High Home is both a tavern and a community center perched near the top of the hillock in the center of Iadenveigh known as the Brow.
Richard studies the wooden disc and nods at the guard's instructions. "Can't be too careful I suppose. Have a good day." He waves and leads the way into town, following a route to the High Home.
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Taking the token the group heads up the hill to High Home. The High Home is both a tavern and a community center perched near the top of the hillock in the center of Iadenveigh known as the Brow. Inside you are met by a friendly dwarf with hair the color of the crimson sun. The dwarf's eyes are lined with black and his mouth looks to be full of blood as if some sort of dyes are chewed as his teeth are stained red as well.
"More visitors eh? Welcome to Iadenveigh. My name is Redfang. I am one of the leaders here in out peaceful community." He holds his hands out for the wooden token. "What business do you have visiting Iadenveigh?"
Richard considers for a moment before carefully offering the truth to Redfang.
"Trouble, of the technological sort." Richard offers in a serious tone. "We have come from the town of Torch, which you may have heard had some troubles of its own. A group tried to exploit some tech buried in ancient wreckage under the town. We stopped them, then followed their operation back to Scrapwall and dealt with others involved in the plot. We have since learned that they were part of something bigger, and they were planning to send operatives to Iadenveigh to find some information hidden away under the town by an oracle a long time ago. We would like your aid, or permission, to look for it ourselves."
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The dwarf's brow furrows. "An armed band of adventurers can bring trouble just as surely as it can aid." He looks with suspicion before lowering his head in thought at the mention of the Numerian Ruins beneath the town. "Strange ruins are scattered all throughout Numeria." Neither confirming nor denying anything beneath the town.
Before Richard is able to continue Redfang continues. It is difficult to know who to trust these days. It has always been hard to extend trust to outlanders. We are a self-sufficient settlement—we have no need for trade, and can take care of ourselves. It’s the safest option, as I know you understand. It’s difficult to tell who you can rely on, but there are two things you can do to earn the trust of the Deadeye Council. First, I would like some help in solving a problem with one of our more... colorful residents. Second, there’s an issue with a possible traitor in our midst that outsiders would be particularly well suited to handle.”
"Whaddya mean by traitor? If ya are so self-sufficient, what would the traitor be doin' to harm Iadenveigh?"
"We have experience dealing with traitors. We dealt with one in Torch. I think I speak for all when we say we will help you out in order to earn your trust. Now, can you tell us anything else about the nature of the problem with your resident and the suspicions you have about the traitor?"
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"Whaddya mean by traitor? If ya are so self-sufficient, what would the traitor be doin' to harm Iadenveigh?"
Redfang looks confused. "As in a person who betrays his people." He shrugs. "Each person has their own opinions. Not all agree. We do the best we can 'round here."
Now, can you tell us anything else about the nature of the problem with your resident and the suspicions you have about the traitor?"
"We can come back to the traitor in a bit after I get to know ye a bit better."
"First off, our local resident who cries wolf. Jevik has a farm on the north end of town." He sighs and thinks for the right words before continuing on. "No good way to put this. He is a surly bastard that ever was. He complains of monsters, mutants, metal men and bandits interfering with his farm on a near weekly basis. Almost become something of a local joke around these parts. But... but something seemed different when he came in 5 days ago. he seemed unusually sober this time 'round. Need someone to go check on him and make sure everything is on the up and up. More than likely it is nothing."