** spoiler omitted **
The kreen's mind thrums with powerful memories of the final battle. As the Six Fingers were being laid within their eternal chambers, a rebellion began amongst some of the priests while the sacrifices of the elven offerings were being made to the Red God, to endow the tomb with the power of their life energy. For his part, Ri'Kli'Klek managed somehow to exit the melee and ensconce himself within one of the protective cocoons intended to breed the tomb's guardians in a future battle, so that the Six Fingers would once gain be served by a vast army upon their awakening to end the world.
On either side of the vessel, there are a row of handholds on the wall that lead down to the floor.,,
The dwarf is bound to the machine. He is unable to move his arms or legs and he is gagged. The dwarf’s skin is gray, though upon closer inspection it can be seen that it is turning into stone. The transformation seems to be quite advanced, as shards of stone haven’t been forced into his body, but rather, are growing out of it.
[dice=Fort]1d20+9
[dice=Ref]1d20+9
[dice=Will]1d20+13The machine hummed and the dwarf began to spasm, though restrained as he was there was little movement that he could do. He made eye contact with Rokan, looking at the man pleadingly.
[dice=Fort]1d20+9
[dice=Ref]1d20+9
[dice=Will]1d20+13The machine hummed again, causing the spasms to increase. The dwarf was strong, but this was a cage of the mind. And he could not escape.
[dice=Fort]1d20+9
[dice=Ref]1d20+9
[dice=Will]1d20+13Having finally seen real people, the dwarf attempted to break free. As he did so the machine blared to life, assaulting him. A stiffled groan escaped from his lips as the dwarf spasmed and then went limp.
** spoiler omitted **...
** spoiler omitted **
Warily, Ri'Kli'Klek sliced through more of the cocoon, then stowed his chatkchas. He reached out and grabbed onto the handholds and started quietly climbing out of the cocoon and down the wall. As he did so, he looked about, wary of the other guardians awakening, and of the strangers who had come here. He tries to avoid their attention for now, though his ability to do so on a wall is limited.
After getting no immediate response Rokan walks over to join Jimbli, aiding him in the inspection and attempt to disable the restraints, and the device's effects on the dwarf.
He is clearly suffering. We need to undo this.
[dice=knowledge (psionics), info about device?]1d20+12
[dice=perception, useful details/observations about device]1d20+11
knowledge (psionics), info about device?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
The ascetic is unable to determine aught about the psionic quality of the device.
perception, useful details/observations about device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 if there are any more details to see.
It appears to be a representative of the same civilization as that which designed the Pavilion of Mercy, the vast pyramidal vessel of Faalcuun the Majestic, former apprentice of Dregoth, and in which Rokan's party had been at audience the previous afternoon. This, then, is a Stoneburner artifact, or one inspired by their malevolent arts. Thus, it is a product of the same hideous biotechnology that produced the naturebenders of the Blue Age, the defiling magic of Rajaat, and the darker uses of psionics.
Amunet-Ra, willing to support her party, tries to help as well, but keeps an eye on the hooded figure and the surroundings.
[dice=kn:x]1d20+15
[dice=Disable Device]1d20+20 maybe for aid another?
kn:x: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
Disable Device: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21 maybe for aid another?
Unfortunately, Amunet is unable to effect any change in the mysterious device.
Jimbli Blinked up to the machine to take a closer look .. fascinated.
“He appears to be suffering.”
Jimbli tsks and without taking time to consult with the group,looks to see what can be done for the dwarf.[dice=perception]1d20+12
[dice=disabledevice]1d20+15
[dice=perception]1d20+12
The device appears to be both biological and technological in nature, as if the two substance were somehow fused in a terrible fashion.
[dice=disabledevice]1d20+15
None of his mechanical interventions are successful.
** spoiler omitted **
Hamza continues to observe from the shadows, weighing the measure of the group before him. Should they be unable to free to bound dwarf, it was likely they would be useless for the task Fenriz had for them.
Hamza continues to observe from the shadows, weighing the measure of the group before him. Should they be unable to free to bound dwarf, it was likely they would be useless for the task Fenriz had for them.
The sight of the curious and diabolical contraption brings to mind a complaint of the tiefling lord of the diamond mines which he made, unbidden, to Hamza during their audience,
"Truly, I tell you, Hamza of the shadowed city of Alaka, that the outrage of these 'serpent-spiders' is beyond anything in their trespass upon my domain! The vile presumptuousness of it!"
"Hear this -- they have stolen my servants, even those that have sworn their bodies and souls to Ymeri the Queen of the Fires, the Mother of all Fire Drakes."
"There is a caste among their number, they paint themselves red or vermilion, it is quite curious, and they work assiduously to undermine my hard-won entourage. They infect their minds and turn them to their own will!"
"My own research has confirmed that the source of their inimitable power somehow stems from that of the ancient naturebenders who ended the Blue Age. That means, if the general principle holds, any device of there's should be susceptible to disruption from the touch of radiance, what some know as the Positive Energy Plane, or the Stronghold of Light."
Amunet-Ra is pretty preoccupied with the dwarf strapped into the strange device, which she can't make any sense of.
[dice=Perception]1d20+11
The ascetic of Tyr starts slightly as he catches sight of a kreen making it's descent by a precipitous route of handholds in the ceiling of the vast arcade. It appears to have emerged from a cocoon suspended from the ceiling, and subsequently grasped hold of the squamous rungs that ascend in a reticular matrix up the steep buttressing walls of the corridor.
The yakṣa's keen senses quickly detect movement in the darkness overhead -- a kreen descending by means of a biomechanical ladder whose trellises line both sides of the high vault overhead.
Rokan looks up as something there catches his eyes.
Well, we have even more company. Here's a kreen, descending from the ceiling. It appears to have just emerged from a cocoon, so I don't believe it means to attack. In fact I wonder if it could use help down...
Rokan looks up as something there catches his eyes.
Well, we have even more company. Here's a kreen, descending from the ceiling. It appears to have just emerged from a cocoon, so I don't believe it means to attack. In fact I wonder if it could use help down...
[dice=Sense motive]1d20+11
Rokan's intuition confronts an impermeable stark barrier attempting to contemplate the mysterious new interloper, whose egress from its previous ceiling repose diminishes with each passing moment.
Hearing that, a surprised Amunet-Ra follows Rokans gaze to the ceiling, where the kreen descends.
A kreen from a cocoon inside this place? Maybe it's one of those who dwelled here before, having slept and now awakened! It's got innocent elf blood on his hands! We should crack his carapace and see what it knows...i can get it from the ceiling.
Very well Amunet, let me know if I can assist somehow from down here. Rokan seems a little unsure of her confidence and looks expectantly to see what talents she conjures up.
Amunet-Ra turns her head to Rokan, then produces 5 shuriken out of nowhere.
Thank you for the offer. There are different options. I could use these to get it down, or jump up and punch it down.
She stops for a moment, then shakes her head, remembering something.
It seems to be on a way down here. Forgive me, i'm rattled by this place. Maybe i'll try to talk to it first, but we should be wary. This was a place of genocide judging by it's side, so the kreen here were mass murderers.
She then gives off the typical klicking and clacking noises the kreen make.
You there, Kreen, can you talk? Explain your intentions and come down in a straight way. Are you a guardian of this site?
Once again Rilkus tried to force his way out of the machine...
...causing the machine to shudder once more. Despite his herculean effort to break free, Rilkus' spasming continued and his eyes rolled to the back of his head.
Thankfully, the hidden assassin had a few curative potions on him. While the dwarf was not among those he was to gather and escort to Fenriz, freeing him should land the creature in his debt, and that was always a desired outcome.
** spoiler omitted **
Once again Rilkus tried to force his way out of the machine...
[dice=Fort]1d20+9
[dice=Ref]1d20+9
[dice=Will]1d20+13...causing the machine to shudder once more. Despite his herculean effort to break free, Rilkus' spasming continued and his eyes rolled to the back of his head.
** spoiler omitted **
Stepping out from the shadows, is a man dressed in the finery of a merchant or noble . Reaching into one of his belt pouches, he pulls out a small vial and tosses it at the strange device.
Stepping out from the shadows, is a man dressed in the finery of a merchant or noble . Reaching into one of his belt pouches, he pulls out a small vial and tosses it at the strange device.
Amunet-Ra turns her head to Rokan, then produces 5 shuriken out of nowhere.
Thank you for the offer. There are different options. I could use these to get it down, or jump up and punch it down.
She stops for a moment, then shakes her head, remembering something.
It seems to be on a way down here. Forgive me, i'm rattled by this place. Maybe i'll try to talk to it first, but we should be wary. This was a place of genocide judging by it's side, so the kreen here were mass murderers.She then gives off the typical klicking and clacking noises the kreen make.
** spoiler omitted **
"This is really quite a spectacle" the bard comments, once again somehow concealed in shadows.
"If any of you posses the ability to use positive energy, or have items that utilize said energy, I believe the machine is vulnerable to them." The mysterious stranger says, as he gets ready to toss another potion.
The halfling druid steps forward,
"I possess this ability,"
"If any of you posses the ability to use positive energy, or have items that utilize said energy, I believe the machine is vulnerable to them." The mysterious stranger says, as he gets ready to toss another potion.
Ri'Kli'Klek hadn't thought he could get down without being spotted. Well, time to move swiftly then.
With startling speed he climbs all the way to the floor in only a few seconds.
As soon as he reaches the ground he takes up a defensive stance, stopping moving as suddenly as he had started. Only his mandibles move, responding to Amunet.
"I guard this place against those who would waken the evil within. What seek ye here, interlopers? Ye shall find naught but death and desolation within these tombs."
What?!?
As suddenly the kreen moves on with astonishing speed and from out of nowhere something shatters against the device while another person reveals itself, Amunet grabs Rokans arm, pushing them both into a defensive stance.
Beware of the kreen, he's mutated and faster than they normaly are! And who is that?
She holds out a hand to the kreen motioning him to wait, the other still holding the shuriken, then turns half her face to the other newcomer, so she has both in view.
And who exactly are you? Did you lurk in the shadows there the whole time? That might be a nice information about positive energy, but so would be an introduction.
So you are a guardian. Are you a servant of this "red god"? We have no intention of waking any evil. We are here because things are already stirring inside it seems.
Hearing that the others speak a variant of the human tongue, Ri'Kli'Klek switches to that language. He speaks a bit slowly, not as certain of his words, especially with the differences in how these people speak.
"To my shame, once was I part of the madness here. To see it never repeated is my eternal penance. If the Red God's Fingers stir, it is time for me to wake, that the many who died to seal them away may not have died in vain. Came ye here to see to this also?"
Now that he is still, you can get a good look at him. Ri'Kli'Klek is a fairly sizable kreen, his exoskeleton glistening with moisture from the fluids in the cocoon. His chitin is a sandy-brown color, with a slight red tint. He wears nothing other than a simple harness with loops and straps for equipment, though the only ones occupied are four around his waist which hold four chatkcha, which look to be made of actual steel .
Amunet-Ra switches to the human tongue as well.
Remarkable, you can speak our language. You claim to be a guardian against what is in this place? In that case you certainly can help us to get this dwarf out of this device and explain what it is in the first place. She points to the spasmic dwarf.
Cae impatiently rubs the ring he just found.