<<The earth has been shifting quickly as of late, but if I am told when this is going to happen I can assert control when it is necessary.>>
<<I am more powerful than the children of the dark forge, but I must rest, and their numbers are endless.>>
"Plan for tomorrow then, likely later in the day. Once Calios learns that the gnomes are closing off access to the forge he'll move quickly but he'll still need some time to gather his forces", Bjorkus explains. "It's gunna take some convincing to get the gnomes to let us down here again, especially with the allies we're gunna bring and in light of the smith's death. Do you have some kind of token we can present to their leaders as proof that we met with you and have your blessing?"
*1.5=22
Ianna heals Bjorkus and the rest of her injuries.
<<Tomorrow. I shall be ready.>> Stoneriver reaches behind him and scoops up a ball of magma, then inhales deeply and cools the ball of magma into a perfect glass-like sphere. He rolls the sphere over, still warm to the touch. <<They will know.>>
"Can you sense the smith's men. He sent them out to check on the forge's defenses. Are the forge spurned active elsewhere or just here?"
<<They are active through the entire Forge. I sensed them before, but not now. I fear they were claimed by the Spurned. This place was meant for creation, but due to the struggle here it causes naught but destruction.>>
"That's too bad. We'll make sure they didn't die for nothing", Bjorkus says.
"Let's get going. Toramin needs to warn Rilka about the plan and we need to get our allies ready to go to war. Tomorrow's gunna be a long day."
The ancient creature nods. <<Go. Prepare. I shall be ready.>> Stoneriver shifts his gaze to Toramin. <<Stone son. Stay here. Your designing mind and the grace of Torag shall bring you great gifts. You have proven yourself here today.>>
"As you say, honored envoy."
Toramin hands Bjorkus the earing and clasps his hands. "Tell Rilka and Drosil of our plan please. Keep Ianna safe."
Bjorkus furrows his brow in disappointment but nods in understanding as he shakes the dwarf's hand and takes the earring. "Ianna, you stayin' with your brother?"
"No . . . I don't want to be here more than I need to be," she replies with a subdued voice.
Toramin tells Ymir to guide them back the way they came.
Picking up on Ianna's lingering trauma, Bjorkus puts a large comforting hand on her shoulder. "Alright then. Let's get out of here. I think we could all use a drink."
After carefully stowing the bullette's token, he lines up behind the little elemental to be shown the way to the surface.
The reverence the dwarves had for the powerful being was clear; Dalton gave them their space and let them say their piece.
After they had finished, he approached behind them and bowed slightly. "My apologies I could not prevent the deaths of any of the others, grand herald. I must raise a point of planning: If the orb you lent us is easily-recognized for its meaning, others' curiosity - even the few we show as proof - may overcome their precautions of reason. Being familiar with such mistakes firsthand, I cannot help but think there will be other trespassers, looters, or delvers set on exposing this place or plundering it. If you have an idea of how to repair or bolster the boundaries of this place, we may be able to aid in preventing future scenarios of this sort."
The task was beyond just him, but perhaps he could lend a hand. Though I'm unable to slip a few people away in time of need. Could I really provide any meaningful support?
Sullen now as Ianna, he nodded his head in agreement to her and Bjorkus. "Indeed."
********
As evil as a woman as Acera was, she knew her magic. Dalton pored over her book again, tracing over the conjuration out-of-reach for him. The differences for long range shunts were subtle, but important. Like holding an egg, one uses the same motion to tap, crack, or smash - it's the balance of force applied. Her spellbook seemed to place importance of the absence of people rather than their destinations though. The mage feared if he removed the party from the material plane, he might not be able to replace them...
That's it!.. Yes, yes...
The teleportation was not about the movement between start and end, but rather the removal from the starting plane, a rapid transversal through an attached one, and emergence in the original field. In fact, that's what makes it possible. Dalton saw then it would be monumentally easier to adjust of their presences in the ethereal or astral plane than the material one. The difference between moving a pea and a rock.
His discovery would likely allow him to be more effective in short term travel as well, the increase in efficiency widening the effect of his energies. In a cruel way, it came just too late for our late host.
The mage's shot eyes were tired though; it was time for rest.
Bjorkus is glad to be back in the open air. He wasn't claustrophobic, he'd been in too many tight ship's cabins for that, but the confines of being beneath the earth didn't agree with him the same way it did his dwarven companions.
Immediately, he leads Dalton and Ianna back to the Time Turner in.
***
He slips the Aestheric earring into his disguised bovine ear and wills it to connect with Drosil.
<<Drosil, can you hear me? This is Bjorkus? Does this soddin' thing work? Toramin's fine but he's occupied and passed the earring to me. Drosil are you there?>>
<<It takes great power to be evil and breach these walls and not fall to me. Common thieves do not worry me. I have many ideas, but we have not the years to implement them.>>
"Yes, it works. Stop shouting."
"Sorry, I've never used one of these things before", Bjorkus says to the open air.
"We got access to the Skymetal Forge and it has been compromised. It has a guardian, a giant bullette called Stoneriver, that says Calios was in there recently and it drove him off. We're gunna to set a trap for Calios there by making that bastard think the gnomes are planning to block off his access to the site. Whatever he's up to in Grastle Hollow, all signs point to that forge being his end game. He won't risk losing the Skymetal forge without finishing what he came here for. If we time this right, he'll come half-cocked and end up leaving most of his forces behind."
There's a long pause. "Good plan. Rilka will be your in to manipulate Villichi. Also see if she can sabotage him. I will get the rest of the Aestherics ready to take out Villichi's lieutenants when you strike. You cut the head off, we'll burn the body."
"Backup is appreciated. Even in a rush I'm sure Calios will be able to muster a small army. I'm gunna contact Rilka next. I'll contact you later with information on where to meet."
Pleased that Drosil approved of tomorrow's plan, Bjorkus touches the earring and pictures Rilka.
"Rilka, you still doin' okay? This is Bjorkus, Toramin's busy right now. We've got a plan to lure Villichi away from his army in a hurry but the timing's gotta be perfect. Are you in a good place to deliver a message? If not, can your ally on the inside do it? It has to do with the Skymetal forge he's been sniffin' around."
"Rilka, you still doin' okay? This is Bjorkus, Toramin's busy right now. We've got a plan to lure Villichi away from his army in a hurry but the timing's gotta be perfect. Are you in a good place to deliver a message? If not, can your ally on the inside do it? It has to do with the Skymetal forge he's been sniffin' around."
Bjorkus and Ianna (and possibly Dalton) return to the Rainbow Barrel.
The Rainbow Barrel is in business again, patrons filling it's halls. They have new tables and chairs, and the party sees Quint and Althea behind the bar, with the same two female servers flitting through the floor to deliver drinks.
With his usual swagger, Ragnar approaches the bar near Althea and orders a drink.
Althea smiles and pours the drink for Bjorkus. "So, I assume you've come back to tell me something?"
"Let Quint know that we've got a way to draw him out and that it's time to strike. Close down the Barrel or put someone you trust in charge tomorrow. Have your crew ready to move", Bjorkus explains in a low voice between sips of his drink.
Glancing at Olive, Ragnar snorts. "You get things sorted with the girl?"
Althea raises her brow. "Well that'll make Quint happy. When and where?"
She scowls and slides the drink to Bjorkus. "Aye, she fessed up. Quint beat some sense into her. Reckon she's too scared to flip dueces on us again for nothing but a little coin."
"We'll come get you tomorrow afternoon. We'll tell you the rest when we meet. It's... complicated but we're not goin' far."
Hearing that Olive had been sorted out, Ragnar gives Althea a nod of approval. "She wouldn't have been the first time gettin' a girl in bed put me in a tight spot. I'm just glad it worked out. I'll be gladder still when this shit's over with."
"I'll let him know. Drink's on the house."
Althea's reasonableness is a welcome respite for Ianna. She doesn't feel like she has the energy to fight with Quint.
On the house or not, Ragnar leaves a couple silvers on the bar after he finishes his drink and stands to leave.
<<It takes great power to be evil and breach these walls and not fall to me. Common thieves do not worry me. I have many ideas, but we have not the years to implement them.>>
"I did not mean to imply weakness, your greatness. If anything, you and your domain have inspired me to refocus my efforts on my profession as a jeweler."
Dalton bowed again and took a step back. It is not every day one speaks to a spokesperson of the gods...
”Excellent. That sounds promising. The message will be delivered. What is it?”
"Tell him this tomorrow: The gnomes know about the Skymetal forge's compromised defenses. They're sendin' out a huge team to fix 'em later that day. That should light a fire under his ass to gather his forces. We want him in a rush. See if you or Sveng can sabotage his men or their equipment."
”Tomorrow. Is around dawn, okay?”
"That might be too early, we want him to be in a blind rush. Do it later in the morning."
”Not so early then. If I can’t do it, then another will.”
"Thanks. Take care Rilka."
”Good fortune in your endeavors. Best wishes to all.”
Ymir guides Bjorjus, Dalton, and Ianna back to the surface. The trip is significantly shorter, but still has a number of twists and turns. Clearly the party was lead around in circles to get them lost, luckily Ymir is not tricked so easily.
The party, ever dwindling in size, resurfaces in the secret back room of the governmental building. Panrick is pouring over a pile of papers with a half-empty mug of tea next to him when they resurface. He looks up and takes his spectacles off, coming over with a half-hearted smile. He looks expectantly behind them, then his face falls when it becomes apparent nobody else is coming.
"The sun is shining, but the ice is slippery."
After confirming their respective identities, Ziza says, "Councilor, it is even worse than we imagined. The guardian sphere has been corrupted by the Forge. It was a trap. Tetserine and his men were killed by the spurned guardians. We were barely able to fight them off before Stoneriver saved us. We have brought a token from him and Tetserine's remains. The chains of the spurned were broken, so his soul was not drug to the Abyss. All hope is not lost, Stoneriver instructed us to lure Villichi back to the Forge so that he may be contained. We need you to spread word amongst the councilors tomorrow that the sphere will be fixed to prevent further ingress. We hope that draws Villichi out. If there are any you trust to fight for the Forge and not betray us, then have them meet us there tomorrow mid-day."
"Corrupted!? How?" Panrick listens closely and his face falls further and further as Ianna goes on. At the end he sits and runs a hand through his hair. "I swear I'll have aged ten years by the end of all this." Panrick looks at the token and gives a small sigh of relief. "At least I know that you speak the full truth. Yes, it is time to see this done. I will pull whatever strings and favors I still have left." He grits his teeth. "The only person I truly trust anymore is Tosscobble. If you want I can send word to him to join you."
"Calios is a blackguard. Tosscobble will be one of his first targets", Ragnar explains grimly. "Tell him the truth but leave the choice up to him. I don't want anyone else dyin' without knowin' what we're going up against."
"I'm beginning to learn that good people must do dangerous things so that evil doesn't succeed. I'm sure Tosscobble knows that better than I do."
<<Come, stone son. We have much work to do.>>
Toramin's intelligence and mind for engineering had always been something that had been belittled, and looks down upon by his father. It has been something that plagued the back of his mind, always there. Persistent.
Stoneriver shows Toramin the tools of the Forge, educating him in the workings of it. An awe-inspiring work of the gods, Toramin feels inspired and empowered when he grasps the tools. Suddenly, anything was possible. It only took persistence and the right idea.
Hours Toramin slaves over the forge as Stoneriver watches over him, nudging him in certain directions as the Forge guides his hand. It does not create for him, but opens up and expands on the ideas that Toramin already sees, perfecting what is already there.
The crashing of metal, the hiss of quenching, the sparks of creation. They fill Toramin's ears for hours, days, months, years. Forever. All he knows is the Forge as the metal slowly shapes itself underneath his hands...
When Toramin begins to modify Talev's Legacy he only intends to change it slightly. However, he quickly realizes that he can not simply solder a saw to the ball of the weapon. No. He needs to build a tiny engine that will power the saw and build that into the ball.
Beginning again he smelts the idea and enchantments out of the base materials of Talev's Legacy until only its legacy remains. He then joins the essence of Talev's Legacy to molten Living Steel. The Sky Forge somehow allows him to understand how to create a machine powered by the enchantments that bind it together. Piece by piece he rebuilds the weapon. First, he shapes the saws and then the cunning engine that will power their bone cutting force. Then he builds this engine into the ball of the weapon. Delicate circuitry joins fused into the links of Living Steel join the ball to its counterweight.
When he is finished, his struck how the Talev's Legacy somehow remains even though it is in an entirely new weapon.
Once he and his divine teacher are satisfied with Talev's Legacy, Toramin begins his greatest work. He imagines two possibilities. One, is a mechanical giant that he can crawl into a pilot. The second possibility is far more fantastical. He imagines an exoskeleton of an adaptive liquid metal that can hardens on command but can also often to congeal into a metal sphere for ease of travel. When active this exoskeleton makes Toramin appear to be a dwarf carved from mithril, but when inactive it is a smooth mithril sphere.
This creation transcends magic and technology. Creating it feels almost divine.
The party returns with Quinn and Althea to see what Toramin has wrought in his time here...
After questions and amazement are had at Toramin, a low rumbling is heard and Stoneriver emerges from the magma, gravel eyes narrowed at the entrance. <<They come. The dark children feel it as well, they will assist our enemies.>>
Dalton padded towards the inevitable conflict, though what danger lay ahead of him was less fearsome than it would have been a year before. I suppose we all change with time. In fact, it was wonder that took hold of him upon returning to the forge, though not for the monolith itself this time.
"Toramin!" Dalton waved over to him. "You've been busy, have you?" The new devices would not innately be linked to the dwarf on sight, but given their size was clearly not intended for Stoneriver, the mage felt safe in his assumption. "It is good to see you not just well, but strong enough to labor." The two were of a like mind in their work being more a pleasure than a chore. He allowed the creative companion time to elaborate as he could in the window they possessed.
"I hope you have enough energy for a bit more work; it seems we are to be visited."