Dilana takes one of the cards. Tests it with her teeth and even lets Lancelot poke at it for a second.
No idea what this thing is but it could be a nice material to work with. Very resilient.
"Moving forward until we can't sounds like a good plan. One of you more hearty folks can lead the way I think."
"the open door then, yes lets go there, I have questions for Khonnir."
Figgy stalks off with Springy tailing him.
"Then onward we go." After taking a moment, Tybalt reloads his crossbow and starts following the group to the opened door.
JJ, with gun ready and eyes open, heads onward with the group, staying near the front to get the first shot when possible.
Through the opened door it was then; Roga led the way hoping to fend off any danger before it manifested with his keen senses.
Wary as ever, the barbarian slowly stepped through the ancient doorway...
Some of you have taken a look at this entrance way before.
The walls, floor and ceiling of this slightly curved hallway are made of smooth dark gray metal . Panels of lighter material run along the ceiling eight feet above. To the north and south the tunnel is blocked by walls of metal junk and rubble, while open doorways yawn to the east and west.
The first section is barren of all but rubble now, the Skulks have picked this section over (Areas B1 - B5), it's the next area they tell you is dangerous.
Moving into B2 you see another Robot, identical to the one you faced back at Baines house. This one seems to be inert. It just stands there and doesn't move.
Raktar followed the group cautiously through the door, marvelling at the metal cavern. The doorways open into more metal rooms filled with junk and rubble, which Raktar starts to sort through. He leaves the automaton well alone. "Look at this place," he says to no-one in particular, wonder in his voice.
JJ didn't trust the automaton because of what the last one did. Since Raktar was getting ahead, he decided to cover his ally in case something new tried to jump out and attack them.
Dilana moves slowly though the rooms to catch up with the others. As the machine has not moved she simply ignores it as best she can but does look for anything the skulks missed.
"Hmm, another of those machines. Not my favorite."
B3
The northern wall of this otherwise empty metal room is a tangle of what look to have once been strange cages of some sort. Tangled amid the metal ribs of these cages are ribs of a more organic nature-the ancient bones of some sort of alien creature. Smaller mounds of rubble lie against the opposite wall.
While poking around in the rubble Dilana makes a surprising discovery.
Finding a small cache of equipment missed by previous searchers.
A set of Grippers.
A black e-pick.
And two batteries (10 charges, 7 charges).
Most Numerian technological items are powered by electricity. While
one can use the electricity provided by a generator, these are rare,
expensive, and rarely portable. It's more common and practical to charge such items with batteries.
A battery looks like a small silver disk that's etched with strange lines-the people of Numeria have taken to calling batteries "silverdisks" and sometimes use them as coins.
A battery contains 10 charges when full; to charge an item with a battery, one simply slips the disk-shaped device into the proper slot on the item. The battery's charge instantly fully depletes, and the item's
internal capacitors fill with 10 charges as it does so.
If the item had fewer than 10 open slots in its capacity, the excess charges the battery once held are lost. A battery can be kept within an object indefinitely, or it can be ejected from the object for the purposes of recharging it or storing it elsewhere without affecting the item's charge. Inserting or ejecting a battery is a move action.
Placing a battery in a generator's charging slot can recharge it. However, each time a battery is recharged, there's a 20% chance that the battery is destroyed in the process. A destroyed battery is worth only 10 gp.
The bulk of Numerian "silverdisks" in circulation today are destroyed batteries; one can tell a functional battery from a destroyed one by the way the circuitry seems to shimmer slightly when reflecting light. The circuitry in a charged battery glows with a soft blue radiance equal to
that of a candle.
A tool that resemble a blacksmith's tongs. Once they're set, they can be locked into place to grip an object. Used when attempting to pry open a stuck object (in a manner similar to the use of a crowbar), grippers grant a +2 circumstance bonus on Strength checks. When used to attach two devices, a set of grippers holds on with an effective Strength score of 24. Applying grippers to a creature and then locking the grippers to crush flesh and bone is a standard action that provokes an attack of
opportunity and also requires a successful melee attack with an improvised weapon. Once locked, the grippers deal 1d4+7 points of damage.
An e-pick (short for "electronic lock pick") is a small device that can be used to unlock and disable electronic locks and devices, much in the same way that a set of thieves' tools can be used to dismantle mechanical locks and devices. Brown e-picks allow a user to make Disable Device checks against electronic devices without penalty; those of higher ratings also grant a competence bonus to the Disable device
skill.
(A Black E-pick gives +1 to disable electronic locks and traps)
However inspecting the rubble disturbs the dormant Robot and it stirs to life, moving towards Dilana with hostile purpose.
Jeremiah, you stated you were watching it. You can have an action, then we move into combat rounds.
Figgy is about the approach the robot when Dilana brings it to life, backing up a few steps Figgy pulls his pincher off his back.
"I was just about to look at it. I want to see if we can deactivate it."
"Spring distract the robot." Springy will approach the hostile robot with his unlit torch.
As the robot came to life and headed for Dilana, JJ was ready for it. What he wasn't ready for... was the bullet getting stuck in the barrel while black powder fizzled out of the end of it, filling JJ with disappointment and rage. "SON OF A B*TCH!"
Once again, Tybalt seemed lost in amazement as the group journeyed through the corridor. It wasn't until Jeremiah's exclamation that he realized that trouble was afoot once again. Looked like a robot similar to the one they'd fought before. As such, raised his crossbow and fired.
The robot lurches forward. Jeremiah's bullet sprangs off a wall, Tybalt's bolt lodges in the Robot's torso with a solid hit.
A flat voice blares from a slot on the head.
A tube projects from it's chest and it fires at Dilana.
Just missing her as it expands and clatters against the wall.
Party actions please.
As much as he wanted to help Dilana right now, his pistol became next to useless and the gap between him and the robot was closed. Reacting as fast a possible, he moved away a bit, butted his gun against the wall to try and fix whatever was wrong with it, and loaded it up with a new shot.
The automaton suddenly lurches into life and moves past Raktar, who swings his hammer at it's metal chest while it cannot defend itself.
The blow goes wide and hits the metal wall which rings like a bell. He grunts with effort as he brings the hammer round again at the robot before it can harm anyone.
This time the robot manages to duck the hammer, and again a clear note resonates around the room as Raktar's hammer clangs against the wall.
Dilana Round 1
Dilana squeals in surprise as the net lands very close to her. She brings her crossbow to bear and fires at the creature, know her more innate powers will do nothing.
"A net!! Yikes!"
And now I am trapped in a corner, not good.
"I guess disabling it won't be enough, I can have a look after wards."
The head of the Robot swivels unnervingly in a 360 as it scans all the people attempting to stop it performing it's role.
Continuing it's attempt to catch Dilana.
Catching her easily.
An entangled creature can escape with a DC 20 Escape Artist check (a full-round action). The net has 5 hit points and can be burst with a DC 25 Strength check (also a full-round action). A net is useful only against creatures within one size category of you.
Tybalt's bolt jerks slightly as something inside the Robot starts to force it out.
The party may now attack again. The Robot is not in melee, having caught Dilana with a ranged attack.
With his pistol now cleared, JJ took aim at the bot again, trying not to hit Raktar. "Over here, you stupid piece of fancy scrap!" He shouted as he pulled the trigger and reloaded his weapon.
Roga chided himself for reacting so slowly to the obvious threat. Not knowing what the thing was saying, he just took his heavy flail and swung for all he was worth.
Bt he overstepped and missed the robot completely.
----------------
HP 15/15
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13
Conditions: n/a
Melee (heavy flail): +3 = +1 (base) +2 (STR)
Melee Damage (heavy flail): 1d10+3, 19-20
-1 to hit, +3 damage (2H weapon) for power attack
+2 to hit, +3 damage (2H weapon) when raging
5/6 rage
JJ's pistol sounds loudly in the close confines, adding to the noise and reminding Raktar that he is somewhat in the way. He slips past Figgy to clear JJ's aim. "Sorry JJ!" he calls before slamming his hammer downwards at the robot in a wide arc over his shoulders.
Roga & Figgy both miss the Robot as it lurches passed them, Jeremiah & Raktar both inflict damage with bullet and hammer. Causing it to state loudly.
Tybalt takes some time to reload and aim, but finds himself too concerned about hitting Raktar, Roga, or JJ and ends up missing completely.
Roga
The Robot is jolted by the many attacks slamming into it. It spins in place and shoots another net at Roga.
Missing pitifully.
The party can now have their actions. The robot looks very battered.
Finding herself captures Dilana attempts to wriggle free of the next.
but does not manage to free herself.
Figgy not really knowing what to do, all the banging and clanging and Nets ohh the nets. Figgy draws a knife and goes to help Dilana out of her net.
"Springy show him what a real robot can do."
One more hit...
Roga lifted his flail and smashed it into the metal robot.
-----------
HP 15/15
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13
Conditions: n/a
Melee (heavy flail): +3 = +1 (base) +2 (STR)
Melee Damage (heavy flail): 1d10+3, 19-20
-1 to hit, +3 damage (2H weapon) for power attack
+2 to hit, +3 damage (2H weapon) when raging
5/6 rage
"Sorry JJ!"
"Apologize by beating that thing to a pulp!" With the way now clear, but the thing still fighting, JJ just continued to let shots fly like clockwork.
"That's the plan!" Raktar calls back without taking his eyes off the robot. He waits for JJ's shot, which slams into the robot, and he follows up quickly with a hammer swing.
The automaton reacts surprisingly quickly despite its obvious damage, ducking Raktar's blow with ease.
Now fully spurred into the action the party quickly smashes the Robot back into uselessness. Even Springy takes a piece of the action.
The net entangling Dilana is made of a strange material, one that makes it hard to tear apart, but she is freed easily enough by the rest of you.
You can now collect the loot Dilana uncovered and move on.
B4
The far wall of this chamber is a twisted mass of metal and rubble.
B5
Two strange machines sit to the north and south against the walls here, their faces appear similar to coils of metal tubes with several nozzle-like protrusions pointing into the room itself.
Whatever these machines do they seem completely inert and cause you no problems.
B6
A gray metal door sits in one wall of this short stone tunnel that curves north before opening into a vast sand-filled cavern.
An odd looking white coral like rock is actually a creature waiting in ambush.
"Thank you for the help there. I guess he didn't like me touching his stuff. Maybe some sort of guard?"
Dilana pitches in looking around but realizes the DC is 26 and cannot possible make the roll. She is very meta.
"So onward then I assume."
Figgy will collect the net that entangled Dilana, then he will pick up the items that she found and offer them to her.
"Bet to keep these just in case"
Wary of the metal machines, Roga's hands tighten a little more on the shaft of his flail.
He pokes at the nozzles and even sticks his dagger up one of them to figure out what they did. "Any ideas what these area?"
Even when he thought he could no longer be surprised, a vast sand-filled cavern opens up in front of him. "Wow. I'm guessing no one knew about this place? Did the wizard's notes mention anything like this?"
---------
"Any ideas what these are?"
"Who knows, big guy." JJ said as he looked through the new things they collected. "This stuff's just as new to me as it is to you. The most I've seen in my scavenging career is plates of metal, the occasional silverdisk, and the scope of a railgun. I'll tell you this though, this is probably the most tech I've ever been surrounded by."
Raktar helps Dilana out of the robot's net before looking over what she had found that caused the robot to spring to life. "These look like forging tongs, but they seem like they grip things much tighter. Can I have these?" he asks, just in case anyone else wanted them.
The sights only get stranger as they move through the metal caves. Some kind of tube-like machines fill the next chamber, seemingly inactive despite Roga's prodding, before a metal door opens into a huge sandy cave. "I don't remember reading anything about this," he replies to Roga. "How can this have been here for so long unnoticed? I've lived in Torch all my life, and never heard of metal caverns under the hill."
Tybalt prepped another bolt for firing, but before he could the robot was taken down. Setting aside his weapon he did his part in getting Dilana out.
"Thank you for the help there. I guess he didn't like me touching his stuff. Maybe some sort of guard?"
"Repair unit, actually. It thought you were breaking things." he told her before retrieving the crossbow and continuing on.
He pokes at the nozzles and even sticks his dagger up one of them to figure out what they did. "Any ideas what these are?"
Taking a moment to inspect the tubes himself, all Tybalt can say about them is "Unclear."
Even when he thought he could no longer be surprised, a vast sand-filled cavern opens up in front of him. "Wow. I'm guessing no one knew about this place? Did the wizard's notes mention anything like this?"
"I don't remember reading anything about this," he replies to Roga. "How can this have been here for so long unnoticed? I've lived in Torch all my life, and never heard of metal caverns under the hill."
The half-elf's jaw dropped upon seeing the the sandy terrain before them. "...Remarkable."
Did Val and the dwarf lady not say these caves were undiscovered till the fire went out? Maybe there was a blockage or something, plus no one went swimming in the lake so no one knew?"
Figgy follows Tybalt out into the sand, stopping dead in his tracks. He then turns to look at Springy.
"This sand will get everywhere, extra grease for you." Figgy does stop and touch each of the machines and flicks a few switches.
aid
[d] "What an unusual place this is. Metal walls and now a desert. Are we going back outside?" [/b]
"Wait, there is something about that rock formation. Looks beastial, might be a creature?"
Figgy takes a piece of broken equipment and throws it at the rock like thing.
"Everyone get ready to fight"
When the piece of scrap Figgy tossed hits the white, coral-like shell purple tentacles emerge from it, tracing whirled patterns in the surrounding sand.
It's ambush is ruined, now the party can attack.
"Well that is disconserting!"
what is the creature?
Dilan's eyes flash red as she fixes the creature with her gaze and then issues an unnatural giggle in its direction.
The creature shudders under Dilana's eerie attack, becoming clumsy and vulnerable.
Figgy's warning proved most useful. It let Tybalt break free of his daze and bring his crossbow up to fire.
With Figgy pointing out a creature, JJ was focused less on loot and more on killing. He quickly got his pistol out and fired past Roga.
The purple tentacles seemed ominous enough for Roga to just step up and slam the spiked ball at the end of the chain of his flail.
The ball smashed into the carapace, breaking past the hard shell.
-----------
HP 15/15
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13
Conditions: n/a
Melee (heavy flail): +3 = +1 (base) +2 (STR)
Melee Damage (heavy flail): 1d10+3, 19-20
-1 to hit, +3 damage (2H weapon) for power attack
+2 to hit, +3 damage (2H weapon) when raging
5/6 rage