Just die already!"
Gregory sighs, and continues his attacks.
"That... was uncomfortable."
The blow sends Gregory reeling, and he completely misses the robot.
Shaking his head, Gregory tries to regain his focus.
Weathering the Robot's assault, Gregory continues his own.
Scenting victory, Gregory does his best to finish-off the robot.
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Gregory's claws clamp down on either side of the robot's head.
The resulting electrical discharge causes its central eye to explode, and its body falls to the ground, smoking.
A thorough search of the room reveals the half-orcs' gear:
The strange mace that the robot was wielding:
A hand-sized box with a screen on it, attached to a small wand and a nozzle of some kind.
...and a single White Access Card, which had fallen down behind one of the desks.
First things first, Gregory tops-up his shielding.
He then turns his attention to his new acquisitions.
"Huh. A Neural Inhibitor. An interesting little toy, but not really one for me."
"Hmmm... So, this thing can be used to identify strange substances... potentially useful, but I think that the warranty has long since expired."
The White Access Card, however, garners a lot more attention.
"I wonder..."
Gregory tries to use it on the sealed casket that he has been lugging around.
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When the card is swiped, the box gives a beep, and then with a hiss, unlocks.
Inside are several interesting objects:
Two hand-sized spheroids with a button at one end, which glow yellow.
A hand-sized spheroid with a button at one end, which glows white.
A hand-sized spheroid with a button at one end, which glows blue.
A folded-up body suit (covered in pockets), constructed from some sort of supple plastic.
A gun-like object, the 'barrel' of which is crystal which glows with a pale green light.
Gregory nods in appreciation.
"A bunch of grenades. Not really my style, but I am sure that I could find a home for them."
"Ah, adjustable camouflage armor! This, I can use."
He then immediately dons it.
"Heh. I should recognise this - that robot on the other level that gave me so much trouble was using something like this. Still, it has seen better days; it's probably not worth risking using it."
After gathering up his new loot, Gregory heads across for 'round 2' against the gargoyle.
Gregory snorts, and responds by trying to tear the Gargoyle apart.
Gregory responds with a flurry of his own!
Gregory grins toothily.
"See? This time I came prepared..."
Gregory does his best to drop the gargoyle.
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The gargoyle bats aside Gregory's claws, but leaves itself wide open to a devastating bite, which shatters the bones in one of its wings.
Clearly at death's door, the gargoyle nevertheless refuses to surrender...
...and finally manages to score some hits, its teeth and horns shredding away at Gregory's armor.
Round 5: Gargoyle(-41), Gregory(-8)
Gregory grunts in annoyance.
"You'll pay for that!"
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Gregory eviscerates the gargoyle, sending pieces of stony flesh skittering across the floor.
Now that the imminent threat of combat has been resolved, Gregory has a chance to more fully explore the chamber.
A careful search of the room reveals the following, piled-up in front of the statue amongst a lot of junk:
48 silverdiscs
A pair of sunglasses made from a silvery metal.
A thin strip of crystal, surrounded by a black band.
A Timeworn Medlance
Two rolls of sticky grey tape.
A small, pen-like device.
An open-faced, blue polymer helmet, which includes a nylon strap and adjustable tinted visor capable of hiding all but the wearer's mouth and chin.
"Huh. With so many gods already available, why go and make-up one?"
"Oh! Focusing goggles! Cool!"
"I'm not sure what this chip does, though it seems to fit into the port on the goggles..."
"Ion tape. Utilitarian."
"...and of course, the zipstick to make the tape work."
"Huh. Something like bat sonar, I guess - pity that it seems to have seen better days..."
Gregory then checks-out the doors to the west.
Gregory does a double-take.
"Okay then. This, I don't need. Let's see what is behind those ominous-looking doors instead."
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Panels of blinking lights and machinery line the walls of this chamber, but the true spectacle here is the massive machine of metal that looms against the far wall on a ten-foot-high platform. Two immense cylinders of pulsing violet light throb at the machine's core, while above a thinner cylinder extends through the ceiling. Ladders to the north and south provide access to the machine's platform, while at the center, a smaller mach ine with several metal spikes protruding from its heart extends from the larger one. The entire room vibrates with a roaring thunder, and the air feels strangely alive, almost as if it were vibrating as well.
Kneeling in front of this machine is a strange, purple-haired woman, with glowing tattoos covering her skin.
More alarmingly, however, is the fact that another of the flying robots accompanies her...
Despite the noise from the machine, the glances up, and stands, as the door slides open, revealing that her left fist is covered by a stylised spiked gauntlet, and that her right hand grasps a pistol, the barrel of which appears to be solid, and glows cherry red.
"Infidel! You will accomplish nothing here, but your own doom. Hellion will rise from Scrapwall, and the entire world will know the power of the Iron God!"
With a whir, the flying robot fires a sonic blast at Gregory...
...but the significant ambient noise throws off its targeting matrix.
Meanwhile, the strange woman casts a spell.
Round 1: CR, M, Gregory
Ooo! An android! How interesting...
Gregory groans when he sees the flying robot.
"Not again!"
He then pulls out his last scroll and casts from it, causing his form to crackle with electricity.
Considering the robot to be a bigger threat, Gregory pounces upon it.
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Gregory slams into the robot with both fists, causing minimal physical damage, but the electricity causes the robots rotors to stutter for a split second, before they resume normal functioning.
However, this does not stop it from hitting him.
The woman glares at Gregory.
"No! Thou Shalt Not!"
She then tries to dispel the electrical effect from Gregory...
...groaning in frustration when it doesn't work.
Round 2: CR(-12), M, Gregory(-4)
Gregory grins.
"So much for the power of your 'god'..."
He then continues to try to dismantle the robot.
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This time, Gregory manages to zap the robot three times; individually, they cause little damage, but it is clearly starting to look a little worse for wear.
Nevertheless, its next shot hits Gregory right in the forehead, knocking him to the ground.
The woman/android smiles nastily.
"Heathen! You know not of what you speak..."
She then casts a spell, causing a loud, almost physical burst of sound, to surround Gregory.
Round 3: CR(-20), M, Gregory(-14)
His ears ringing, Gregory staggers to his feet and takes a single swipe at it.
However, his vision is still somewhat blurry, and he misses it.
For a moment, Gregory feels his consciousness in danger of being overwhelmed by a sea of unfamiliar data (frustratingly, expressed entirely in a numerical language of 0's and 1's that he doesn't understand), but then the moment passes.
He then snarls at the woman:
"Be advised, that when I am done with your pet, I will be coming for you!"
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This time, only one of his claws hits, but it is enough to cause one of the robots rotor's to short out, causing it to list slightly to one side.
Nevertheless, its aim remains true, even if the shot intensity has been attenuated.
The woman narrows her eyes...
"Burn!"
...and casts a spell, throwing a bolt of searing sunlight at Gregory, which threatens to burn away his shielding entirely!
Round 5: CR(-29), M, Gregory(-30)
+++Error: System Approaching Overload. Warning: Biofeedback Will Be Initiated To Prevent System-Wide Collapse+++
"Okay. You have some strength, I will grant you that! One thing at a time, however..."
Gregory then focuses on trying to finish-off the robot.
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Gregory punches both fists into weak points in the robot's armor, pumping electricity deep into its sensitive internal wiring.
There is a high-pitched whine, and then it crashes to the ground, smoking.
The woman hisses in anger.
"You will pay for that!"
She then holds her spiked gauntlet high, and intones:
"The Power of Hellion compels you... to DIE!"
Round 6: M, Gregory(-30)
+++Error: Overload Threshold Reached. System Protection Protocols Engaged To Prevent Catastrophic Collapse. Biofeedback Initiated+++
Gregory shakes off the worst of the damage, but still feels it keenly as his suit's biofeedback subroutines activate.
"That hurt. Now, it's your turn!"
He then pounces forward.
Although his will remains strong, Gregory can feel then android's attacks leeching away at his vitality.
He continues his assault with renewed vigor!
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One of Gregory's claws rips across the android's torso, causing pale pink blood to weep onto her clothes. Then, his teeth clamp down on her shoulder, and he tastes her blood - far more salty, and less rich in iron than he would have expected.
Grimacing in pain, but undeterred, she once again holds her gauntlet high.
"The Power of Hellion compels you!"
Round 8: M(-24), Gregory(-40)
This time the crackling black energy washes over Gregory, and he feels it in his bones, clawing away at his life force.
Consequently, his movements are lethargic, and he misses completely.
Thoroughly relieved that the woman appears to have run out of channels, Gregory tries to finish her off.