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Hmm, the flame you say? Maybe we can help each other. The one of us in charge is just a little further into this cavern. I will allow two of you to accompany me to speak with her. The others will stay here under watch.
As she mentions being under watch and nods her head, you see one humanoid on either side walk away from the wall just feet away from you, hands on sheathed blades. You watch as their skin color and texture changes from matching the walls of this room, to the same plain grey as the woman you've been speaking to.
"Very well then. Thank you for trusting us enough to speak to your leader. I'll gladly accompany you."
Iantha looks back at companions with a slight shrug, and very softly whispers, "They think I'm no threat. I hope I can use that to make them say more then they intend to."
Dromer doesn't flip his hair away from his face, and instead just awkwardly makes eye contact with each of his companions.
Smith... Now would be a REALLY good time to read my mind...
Smith stares back as Dromer makes eye contact.
At present time Dromer appears to be nervous. Should I be nervous too?
"I will accompany Iantha."
Iantha nods to Smith. "Ok, lets do this then."
Carefully walking down the ramp, Iantha stops just short of the creature. "Ok, take us to your leader. My name is Iantha by the way."
As the two step down from the ledge Dromer moves next to Miranda.
Whispering, he says, "So... Uh... I have a bad feeling about this. It's their home turf and all. And nobody that's been here has ever been back. If things go sour, you should run. Tell the town."
Miranda simply nods almost imperceptively, letting Dromer know she understands his suggestion.
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This cramped cave is filled with metal junk covering almost
every inch of ground. The precarious pile rises up in a heaplike
hut to the northwest.
As you enter the area, a humanoid similar to your escort -- only much more heavily armed with numerous small blades -- bursts out
Luepel, I thought you were watching the intru... oh, you've brought them with you? This had better be important or I'll throw you out into the infestation with the other corpse.
"So... Uh... How long have you been down here? And all."
Again Iantha holds up her hands in a non threatening gesture.
"Please, we are looking to restore the flame. We did not know you were down here so we did not know we were intruding."
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Iantha / Smith:
Of course you didn't. Your predecessors didn't either, and I'm sure you saw where they ended up after they attacked us.
You seek to restore the flame, you'll need to head into the structure. If you expect to do so, you'll have to do something for me.
Dromer / Miranda:
One of your guards begins to tap his fingers repeatedly on a sheathed Blake's hilt.
Longer than it should have been. It probably wouldn't be so long if she didn't make her little deal with those people.
Smith responds "Tell us more about the structure and explain what recompense you require?"
One of your guards begins to tap his fingers repeatedly on a sheathed Blake's hilt.
That blade... Parda...
Dromer stiffens.
"Say... You guys haven't seen a female half-orc come down here, have you? Word up top is there's a reward for her... Guess she was some sort of thug..."
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Smith:
The leader looks at you with a puzzled look
You speak... oddly. You remind me of her.
I don't know what it is, but there is a metal structure in this cave. Inside the walls there are all sorts of strange lights, panels, and sounds. I've only been inside just slightly, but I might be able to give you a rough map of the area just inside. If you want my assistance, you'll need to take car of some... troublesome creatures. They live to the east of here, constantly using some sort of magic to leave in an instant, making it impossible for us to properly assault them.
Dromer:
We've had many intruders recently. The only ones who survived were the ones who didn't attack us. I don't know who we've fought off or who passed peacefully and went inside, but I do know only two have ever fought us and gotten away.
Alright... Calm yourself... They're probably not good people, but that doesn't mean *they* killed Parda...
"Have you considered, I don't know, like a sign? Something like "No Trespassing"? Might spare you a lot of headaches. And, you know, death."
Dromer flips his hair away from his face.
Seeing that Smith has a calming effect, Iantha lets him do the talking.
Smith responds "I am familiar with some faerie tales of disappearing creatures. How would be be more effective than you? Also, please inform us of the nature and substance of the two."
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Dromer blows at his hair.
Not good, *and* not bright.
"Look. We don't want any trouble. I'm just saying that whatever you've been doing obviously isn't working. You want more headaches? Leave things the way they are."
Not wanting to ruin the parley, Iantha keeps her mouth shut and her eyes open.
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"Please put your weapon away, friend. There is no need to sharpen it right now."
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Miranda frowns at him, but makes no further complaint. For now.
This isnt good... I bet they are the ones messing with the flame. And if they payed a good a mount not to be disturbed...
"Good to know. I have no further questions."
Smith nods and heads back to the rest of the party with Iantha.
Returning, Iantha gets close to Miranda and whispers, "Pfew, oh boy this is going to get hairy. And I dont mean my skin."
Miranda nods almost imperceptibly.
Pretending she did not say anthing before, Iantha continues.
"Ah Miranda. There you are. We came to an agreement. We'll dispose of some creatures for these... gentlemem... and they will grant us passage."
Smith nods
"The creatures are some sort of disappearing fey, but we were unable to secure enough information to identify them. They may also know more about the Technic League members who came through, although not by that name"
"Alright then, let's go deal with whatever these creatures are."
Twopenny keeps an eye on his captors, and whenever possible designates the one nearest him as his studied target.
Iantha nods to the humanoids. "We are ready. Show us the way to the creatures."
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As you approach the area where you were told the creatures were, you hear some sort of guttural noise, possibly a voice
As you come around the corner, you see two ugly blue little gremlins with a man in metal shackles. One of them uncuffs him and speaks in the same guttural language from before
as he instantly disappears from sight
Smith responds in common "I do not comprehend, do you speak common?"
Carefully inching a bit closer, Iantha also calls out. "Hello? You allright there mister?"
"Huh? Wha..?"
Iantha is confused for a moment when the blue creature disappears. She peers around the corner for a second.
"I don't see it anymore!"
She then carefully walks up to the man who was just no in cuffs. "Sir? Sir? Are you all right? Were these creatures holding you prisoner? Are you in need of assistance?"
Afraid the man might be hurt, Iantha tries to check him over whithout touching him.
Smith concentrates for a moment as his skin hardens.
The man suddenly shakes himself as if coming to his senses.
"Behind you!" he shouts.
He advances, readying a flail and swinging it between Miranda and Smith
Smith asks "Identify your allegiance."
"Allegiance? I guess Iomadae? Although I work for Khonnir Baine, if that's what you mean. Who are you?"
The man looks around warily. "There are more of those things, and they appear out of nowhere.
Smith responds "I am known as Smith. Why did they unshackle you?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure. They know I can't understand their language, but they just talk louder. I'd guess that they wanted me to fight you guys, though. They were mostly making me carry things around, but a while ago they made me fight a giant centipede. Just my guess. That and two coppers will by you amloaf of bread...
The manrubs his wrists briefly, then Pat's himself, quickly checking over his equipment.