Olimpia watches and listens. She wants to9 believe this creature enough to feel sorry for her but is not quite sure. And what of fighting along side us? Is your freedom with that?
"My race is not of this plane. We can travel the planes by our own abilities. The curse was placed on me by an enemy, it binds me here to suffer. Just being on this plane is painful to me!"
She gives the body of the giant a scornful look. "This brute was never my ally. I was promised the removal of my curse by Hellion as long as I served him loyally. However when Meyanda had come into enough ability to remove the curse he sent her away! Clearly he sees no need to keep his word to me."
"Sounds like a Technic League stooge: Arrogant and stupid."
Dilana's little scorpion skitters up to her shoulder and pulls at here ear. The two converse quietly.
"We can cast a spell that might work but we have not learned it yet. Unless we find a scroll I don't think I can help until I have gained a small amount of power. Maybe Raktar or the cleric in scrapwall could remove it if they have time to prey or something."
"Well... now you know we're capable of doing it." JJ said with a nod to Dilana before facing Zagmaander again. "I guess that means it all depends on your patience, Zagmaander. If you're willing to work with us, we're probably alright with helping remove your curse."
Raktar keeps his hammer at the ready while Zagmaander talks, unwilling to fully trust the newcomer's story. "I don't have the power to release you," he says to the xill, "and I have no knowledge of planar magic. Dinvaya may be able to assist, but I don't know how easy it would be to arrange that."
So what are you doing? Zagmaander does want an agreement that you will get her curse removed before she will work with you. Maybe and probably are not good enough?
She is willing to wait until you can either cast the spell yourself, or reach someone who can.
Olimpia gives her word to try to help lift the curse, but explains that she cannot cast such magics. Has she agreed to "fight" along side us?
"We can ask Dinvaya if she can remove the spell, that is the best we have to offer right now. Springy and I pledge to help you." Figgy puts his bomb away. "What can you offer us in return?"
After a few moments, JJ sighs and lowers his weapon. "Any help we can get out here is a boon. We'll do everything in our power to release your curse. In exchange, you help us get rid of the last of this cult and Hellion. No funny business though."
Zagmaander agrees to fight with you, she was never a believer in Hellions divinity.
She warns you that there are two more of the Darkfolk who guard
S7.
Another Darkfolk with two Dark Creepers who lairs in S8.
S9 is the toxic waste dump and Zagmaander doesn't know anything about it.
S10 & S11 were her rooms.
S12 was the Ettin Draigs lair.
The passage from S11 leads to Hellions domain, she has never been allowed in there, only Robots are permitted.
Loot:
Kulgara.
Inferno grenade,
Zero grenade;
Breastplate +1;
Chainsaw +1;
Composite longbow with 20 arrows,
Green access card,
10 silverdisks, 49gp
S6:
Among the trash heaped atop the squat cabinet next to the cot are:
12 unused goo tubes
Two vials of cureall.
Kulgara keeps her most valuable treasures locked inside the cabinet.
The reinforced cabinet is made of glaucite and locked (hardness 15, hp 45, break DC 30, Disable Device DC 40); opening it without using force or burglary requires a green access card.
Within, Kulgara keeps her previous weapon of choice-before she gained her magic chainsaw a +1 icy burst dagger.
The cabinet also contains:
244 silverdisks,
a pouch containing 17 cracked and flawed gemstones worth 50 gp each,
a green e-pic,
A timeworn hard light shield (11 charges) that she abandoned when she adopted a two -handed weapon,
A power cable,
A loosely organized stack of papers held in a metal binder. The contents of this binder are part journal, part to-do list, and part notebook.
The contents are of great interest to you.
Kulgara had increasingly focused on researching ways to further her god's goals, including the reactivation of the excavator and the eventual assault on Silver Mount.
Yet the primary focus of her current goals remains discovering the
location of Hellion's "sister," the mysterious Casandalee.
1. Hellion hopes to use the reactivated excavator as its body and can transform it into a mobile stronghold that may even be capable of burrowing into the heart of Silver Mount.
Unfortunately, the structure still requires vast amounts of power, and Meyanda's failure to gather that power has resulted in an unwelcome delay to this plan.
Hellion hopes that this is but a temporary setback, but knows that every day that passes before it can strike against Unity, the greater AI will continue to grow in power-if Unity can find a way to extend its influence beyond Silver Mount in a significant way, it will be too late to oppose it.
2. With the excavation and repowering of the excavator delayed, Hellion recently revealed to Kulgara an interesting secret: Hellion was not the first of the Iron Gods spawned by the entity it calls "Unity."
Another came before him-a "prophet of Unity" named Casandalee. Hellion regards Casandalee as a sister, and notes that just as it escaped Unity, Casandalee betrayed Unity and escaped as well.
According to the fragments of memories Hellion inherited from its creator, when Casandalee fled Unity, she took with her a device called a neurocam, onto which had been recorded many of Unity's secrets and, Hellion hopes, Unity's weaknesses.
Fortunately, Unity's robotic minions were never able to track down and capture Casandalee, so Hellion believes that this neurocam still exists, hidden away wherever Casandalee ended up. He notes that she was an android, not an artificial intelligence, and that she has certainly been dead for these many centuries, but that if the site of her death could be discovered, it might be possible to
retrieve the stolen neurocam and extract key information about Unity and its defenses.
3. Working with information supplied by memories stolen from Unity before Hellion fled Silver Mount and independent research done first by Meyanda and more recently by Kulgara, Hellion has discovered that Unity's robots finally caught up with Casandalee in southern Numeria, in an area now settled by worshipers of Erastil-the town of Iadenveigh. Kulgara has been working up a plan to mount an invasion of Iadenveigh to search the site for clues or, perhaps, the location of
Casandalee's last stand and the neurocam, but it's obvious from her notes that she's not yet sure exactly where in Iadenveigh to start
the search?
Draigs:
Potion of cure moderate wounds (2),
Potion of cure serious wounds;
Leather armor,
MW Medium spiked chains (2)
390 silverdisks,
11 batteries,
A pair of timeworn magboots.
What are you doing now?
Raktar nods at JJ's sage words, his plan both sensible and safe. Still not trusting the xill, fully, he nonetheless appreciates the information she provides about the rest of the complex.
Sifting through the orc's possessions, and those of the other creatures, he finds little of interest except one of the power cables that Figgy had described previously. The journal he uncovers is much more interesting and a quick skim through provides a wealth of information. "Looks like Hellion isn't the only machine 'god' around here," he says, passing the book around to the others.
Dilana again checks out the chain saw thinking it a very intresting weapon. "Not sure if any of us can use this but it looks very effective!"
Moving on gathers up the cure potions to distribute to the others or pour down someones throat if needed. Once that is done she returns to checking out their new companion, somewhat fascinated.
After listening to the xill's information about the compound, he felt he made the a decent call. The creature may have selfish motivations, but his gut told him it was at least reasonable enough to not turn on them first. While he made deals with worse people, an ally, even one with selfish motivations, was a boon and avoiding needless fights was a way of life for the slinger.
Sifting through the orc's possessions, and those of the other creatures, he finds little of interest except one of the power cables that Figgy had described previously. The journal he uncovers is much more interesting and a quick skim through provides a wealth of information. "Looks like Hellion isn't the only machine 'god' around here," he says, passing the book around to the others.
JJ took the book from him and sped-read his way through it. "Iadenveigh? That's near the southern border of the country, way past Torch. Not only that but... Erastil-worshipers? Gag." He remarks before passing on the book and looking through more of the loot.
"Looks like we won't have to make a power cable. We'll just take theirs. Figgy can handle the grenades, that chainsaw would make you into a bigger killing machine if you learned how to use it Raktar, and an e-pic in Olimp's hands means no techo-trap alive can get in our way." He says before downing a moderate potion that Dilana was handing out. "The rest we can just leave in the orc's former chest until we need to pull back and haul away with us then."
Figgy picks up the grenades and puts them into his Bandolier, also giving one to Springy but stopping the little robot from taking the pin out.
"Springy looks like we have a job for you, if only robots can get to a certain area, that means it is all up to you." Figgy moves around the rooms looking at all the interesting technology.
After Figgy reads the Journal a few times Figgy looks around at the group.
"Looks like we go to find the Neruocam, we don't have to invade Ladenveigh, we could just go as pilgrims or even just to visit they could have information that can help us. First we have to talk to Dinvaya and clear this place out."
Olimpia, also wounded, eyes the potion of cure Serious. This may be overkill for my wounds. If its ok I'll hold this one for later and drink one of my own cure mod potoons?
She pockets the green e-pick sayingYes, quite handy. And eyeing the dagger she notes This small blade carries some expensive enchantments. We should sell it when we have the chance. I will carry it for now.
Loot:
Veemod goggles with Brown veemods (3) - See Found devices.
What are you doing now?
"Why don't we haul this lot back to Dinvaya's?" Raktar suggests, "then we can ask her if she'll release Zaagmander. We'll have time to rest and recuperate before we go any further. Who knows what Hellion has waiting for us deeper in."
JJ shrugs. "Sounds like a good idea. As much as I'd want to fill him full of bullets now, making sure our haul is safe is just as important since we plan on leaving alive. And, of course, we have an agreement to keep."
"But if we leave do you not think who ever is left will fortify harder?" Figgy asks
Bethany joins in with Figgy wanting to keep pressing on.
"Something tells me we are better to push on if able. This Hellion does have some resources and we cannot expect him to just sit quietly and wait for us to come back at full strength."
She looks at the others.
"Of course I don't get injured too often and have not used many spells."
Clearly she does not want to leave but will if the others deem it necessary.
I need no rest. Olimpia agrees. Let us press on and at least eliminate those dark stalkers.
I need no rest. Olimpia agrees. Let us press on and at least eliminate those dark stalkers.
"If you think it is fine we can head back and return later." Figgy says while packign up
Your journey back to Dinvaya's chapel is marked by no encounters, in fact any groups belonging to a gang that sees you immediately moves away quickly!
Dinvaya herself looks slightly interested when you tell her of your agrrement with Zagmaander, nodding her head. "It does remove a threat and not leave it to betray you in combat." She remarks placidly.
She is unable to cast Remove curse successfully that night, but after a nights rest and memorizing it several times she successfully frees Zagmaander in the morning.
Zagmaander thanks you for keeping your word, and as per the agreement she leaves you her Laser torch, and her mithril bracers.
What are you doing now?
"Back into the deeps?" Raktar suggests the next day, feeling well rested after a good night's sleep. "The sooner we find out what's down there, the sooner we can move against these other entities."
"Back into the deeps?" Raktar suggests the next day, feeling well rested after a good night's sleep. "The sooner we find out what's down there, the sooner we can move against these other entities."
"No arguments from me." JJ replied as he finished his routine cleaning of his weapons, holstering all of them. "I'm ready to kick Hellion's nuts to the Boneyard. Let's show him what happens when you mess with the wrong town."
Figgy looks the laser torch over a number of times.
"This might work on just cutting through locks, I want to play with this a bit." Figgy is in agreement to head back down to find out what is going on.
After a nights rest and contemplation Dilana prepares a slightly different spell selection for the next day.
"I am hoping electrical attacks will be effective against this 'god'. I should be able to call on it twice if needed. Other then that I am happy to head back in, just hope that reinforcements have not arrived."
You make your way back to Hellions stronghold, again no one steps out to challenge your way.
Making your way through the corridors you see no sign that anything has changed?
T1 . Observation Post
Sneaking forward Olimpia freezes as she sees three small robots placed at the entrance way as observers to warn Hellion of their approach.
What are you doing now?
Moving back to her party Olimpia relates quietly Three sentry constructs ahead. No way around them. I might have been noticed.
"I can make you invisible but that doesn't mean we can all get by them. You could try planting a grenade and blowing them all up at once?" Figgy says while putting out a potion and a grenade for Olimpia.
Olimpia nods, willing to give this a try. Do you have one that does electricaL damage? she asks? and what is the damage range?
"I have 2 that do ice and 1 that does fire, the ice ones should work fine." Figgy says
Olimpia nods, willing to give this a try. Do you have one that does electricaL damage? she asks? and what is the damage range?
"I'm no expert, but I think it's about 20 ft in all directions, so... once you pull that pin, high tail it."
"JJ is right sorry, you will have to drop it and run like crazy" Springy makes a motion of moving quickly, at that Figgy just shakes his head.
The three small bots had barely turned to study the suddenly there grenade when it detonated, wiping all of them out in one explosion.
The way is now clear to advance.
T2. Excavator Arm
This ten-foot-diameter tunnel is a tangle of metal beams that crisscross to form a lattice. Each beam has been decorated with strange writings and images of clawed hands, while on the walls are scrawled depictions of what appears to be a looming mountain adorned with strange spikes. In all of these illustrations, an immense demonic form is shown smashing the spiky mountain to rubble-within the mountain, an even greater demonic shape bears the brunt of the devastation.
A successful D C 10 Knowledge (local) check is all that's needed to recognize the spiky mountain depicted being destroyed in the wall paintings as Numeria's most notable feature: Silver Mount.
What are you doing now?
"Well that was effective. Hope you find more of those Figgy."
Dilana just follows the other while keeping her eyes open.
Silver Mount. Olimpia says quietly as the group moves forward. Hellion's target.
"Silver Mountain, interesting so we need to get there to find out more?" Figgy ponders, while passing the now dead robots Figgy looks down to see if there are any bits that he can take for upgrades to things later.
"There are a few more rooms to look at, that Quill thing, Xill thing? Whatever said that only robots could get closer to Hellion right? Springy that is you."
Lets stay together for now. And watch for those monitor things. Hellion can see out of them and even cast spells through them! And this area looks trapish to me. Eyes open. Olimpia will use another battery charge to power her helmet.
Lets stay together for now. And watch for those monitor things. Hellion can see out of them and even cast spells through them! And this area looks trapish to me. Eyes open. Olimpia will use another battery charge to power her helmet.
JJ gives a silent nod as he presses ahead with the group before looking to Figgy. "If we're about to get into a scrap, I think I'll take one of those Cat's Grace potions from you now."
Olimpia's caution is soon found to be well advised. Hidden among the prayers to Hellion scrawled on the metal beams are three Glyphs of warding.
The wards are set to discharge should any non-construct pass them. As Androids don't trigger these wards Olimpia is able to disarm them without any problems.
Only one room left. What are you doing now?
Raktar walks at the back of the group, casting spells and watching for danger as Olimpia and Figgy team up very effectively to clear their way.