Hekau returns the hug, gently and awkwardly.
"Are you unharmed, Val?"
To Shesik, he replies, "It said 'Repairs in progress'. I am afraid I have set back Khonnir Baine's efforts at examining this construct with the damage I inflicted. I did not know the extent of its offensive capabilities and was concerned it could injure some of us. Neutralizing the potential danger seemed most prudent."
With the robot dispatched before Tyn could contribute anything, he slumps a bit and sighs to himself. Regardless, he takes his own look at the automation,
"Ye did fine, Hekau. Hell of a jolt you gave it, is that something you can do on the regular?"
Since no one appears hurt, Xaerai nudges the robot with her boot and then kneels down next to it to examine it.
"Look at these edges, I've never seen metal machined so smoothly," the dwarf almost whispers, holding up a still-smoking piece of plating.
"Xaerai, I am limited in my ability to channel arcane magic. I will require considerable time to replenish my reserves."
Zelvin sighs now that the danger has passed, and gives Val a withering look. "Why'd you pick today of all days to fiddle with your dad's things? You could've been killed, Val!" He clears his throat and gestures to the others, a bit embarrassed at his outburst. "This is Xaerai, Shesik, and Tyn Foyle. They're goin' with Hekau and me to rescue Mr. Khonnir. We're leavin' first thing in the mornin', right after we go to the temple o' Brigh n' get us some magic."
Speaking over her shoulder Shesik inquires, ”Val, are you ok? Stopping for a moment, she stands and turns. ”Zelvin, don’t be too hard on her. She may have done nothing. It’s possible this...” she looks back at the pile of machinery and spits out ”...THING was repairing itself this whole time. It just took a while before it was functional enough to attempt to get back to its job.” She turns back to her examination and mumbles under her breath ”Mindless junk!” There’s got to be something this pile of junk can teach me. Where it came from, how to kill others like it. Something!
She runs the tip of a claw along the melted metal and fried circuits where Hekau’s magic entered the automaton. ”You did good Hekau, thank you.” The words seems drawn from her reluctantly.
Val gives Hekau another squeeze before backing off, shaking her head. "I'm fine, just rattled. No idea how I'm gonna explain to dad what that thing did to the house..."
Zelvin's look is returned with an indignant glare. "I didn't touch nothing, it started wrecking things all on its own!" His introduction of the others softens her attitude, however, and she shakes hands with each of the newcomers.
"Thanks for doing what you're doing. The council sent a runner ahead of you, so I already set out some bedrolls in the tavern for all of ya. Sorry we don't have anything nicer but, well, the house..."
"Anyway, you're all welcome to stay here while you look for dad. Tavern's not gonna be open if he's not around anyway, and I'm a pretty good cook, so you won't have to worry about where to get a meal."
"No charge," she says, a beat later.
Tyn shrugs,
"Free food always sounds good! If we are bunking down here for the night, howza bout a grand tour so we can get savvy to the lay of the land."
Shesik stands and gives the automaton one last good kick. ”Thanks, I wouldn’t say no to a warm meal and a roof to sleep under.” She bends down to grab one of the things appendages and says as she straightens, ”We should put this thing somewhere safe before we head inside. Mebbe Khonnir’s workshop? We could start the tour there.”
Reluctantly setting down the pieces of robot she'd been examining, Xaerai rises to her feet. "Sure, a tour sounds good, and a bit of food before we get started."
Zelvin rolls his eyes at Val being a good hostess (but not so obviously that she sees him do it). He goes along with the tour with an amused smirk, not giving his sister too much of a hard time, and he eats and drinks the meal she provides them with a grudging respect. "This is really good, Val," he says. "What is it, rat?" He laughs, and says conversationally to the whole group, "That reminds me, I hear tell that there's a lot of ratfolk bandits on the road to the east. Something to keep in mind when we finally get outta this tiny little town."
"Khonnir Baine does often say that Val prepares food in the manner of his liking. I know that humanoid preferences differ in this regard. But it is to my liking as well."
Hekau eats the food. He neither reprimands Zelvin for his teasing of Val nor joins in. Their sparring is fascinating to him, though he never wishes to take sides.
Val's happy to show everyone the forge, proud of what her new apprenticeship under Khonnir has taught her already. She's quick to point out, though, that like all guests, you'll need to source your own materials, but otherwise you have free use of the forge and its tools.
Zelvin's comment earns him a roll of the eyes, and Val replies "Just for you, Zel. Everyone else got real meat." After lunch, she asks the group as a whole, "So, where to next? Are you going straight to the caves after father, or up to Black Hill?"
"Don't borrow trouble Zelvin, the bandits aren't our problem today or tomorrow." Xaerai ladles himself a second helping--after checking that there everyone else had gotten a first. "Val, did Master Baine bring back any maps back from the first trip? I'd like to know something about what we're getting into."
Pulling a length of oilcloth over the machanical corpse, Shesik continues on with the others. ”Black Hill? I know your pa was looking at why the fires went out, but why would we start there. Did Khonnir head there before heading out on his second expedition?”
"I would suggest heading for the caves rather than Black Hill."
Val shakes her head in response to Shesik and Xaerai's questions. "No, don't think so, on both counts. I know he made a map, but he took it back with in with him."
"Well, if it is the caves we are headed to, then I guess we find that Joram Kyte to procure the Water Breathing spell. Maybe we can even weasel a waterproof out of him for each of us...it's a simple enough spell."
Shesik nods to Val's response. "Right then, in the morning we'll find this Joram Kyte and go for a swim to the caves." Shaking her head she continues, "We can trust Kyte, right?" She looks around the table for an answer.
Zelvin shrugs. "Mister Kyte's a good man, maybe a bit too pious for my taste, though at least his goddess isn't one o' the bad ones. I always thought he was a bit over-obsessive, but then Mister Khonnir's sort of the same way sometimes."
Your next step decided, Val bids you goodbye and begins to clean up after your meal. You head back across the bridge to the Temple of Brigh and arrive a short time later.
Bronze wind chimes and clockwork statues decorate the domed portico of this compound dedicated to the goddess of invention. The oldest faith in Torch, Brigh's temple sees regular worship from many of the town's citizens, and also includes a meticulously organized workshop managed by the town’s religious leader, Joram Kyte. His friendly demeanor, active interest in the metal trade, and innovative crafting skills helped land him a seat on the town council many years ago.
"Welcome, welcome!" he says, coming out to meet you. "Dolga sent word you'd be coming by. Need some water breathing, right?"
"Greetings, Master Kyte. I am glad to see you in good health."
He watches some of the clockwork constructs with fascination for a moment.
"Yes, we must venture into the caves to try to find Khonnir Baine. The ability to breathe water would be most useful."
"Thanks Mr. Kyte. Um, blessings from the Whisper, blessings in bronze? We'd be awfully grateful for whatever blessings Brigh might have for us. This is Xaerai, Shesik, and Tyn Foyle. They've agreed to go into the caves with us on the town's behalf."
Tyn advances and holds out a clawed hand of the non-lethal variety,
"Very well met Master Kyte! Tyn, Tyn Foyle of the Numerian Aasimar clan- Alchemical medic and former grog-slinger- at your service!"
He shifts his head to the side and cocks it, showing off his metallic horns,
"Au naturale, forged by Bharnarol, fellow deity of invention, himself...at least I like to believe so! And yes water breathings around! On that note, might we all procure a Waterproof as well? A trifle for someone as powerful as you obviously are."
Shesik nods to Brigh’s priest as Zelvin makes the introductions. ”Good to meet you master Kyte. Just to be sure, how long will we have in this Weeping Pond before your protection gives out?” Pausing just a moment she starts as it dawns on her that the question may have sounded rude. ”Not to be insulting or anything. Just want to know how long we’ve got ‘til we drown.”
Just stop talking, that didn’t help.
"S'not rude, Shesik, it's a good question. Nobody wants to drown." Xaerai introduces herself and then curiously browses any nearby shelves or displays showing off bits of Numerian technology or clockworks.
"How did the complex get found if it's only accessible underwater?"
A pleasure to meet you," the old cleric says, smiling as he shakes Tyn's hand. "I thought you might need something like that, so I can help out a couple of you. I'd have more, but some of the acolytes tried to blow themselves up this morning and needed patching up."
"Don't worry, young miss, it's not a rude question at all. Between me and my metamagic rod, you'll have a little under five hours. If you have to come back to rest, just come see me tomorrow before you head back in. As for how they found the caverns, I reckon that Khonnir followed the tracks, reasoned they wouldn't head into the water for nothing, and dove in."
"Ah, that makes sense," Xaerai reddens slightly before changing the subject. "Well I suppose we're as ready as we're going to be. I've got my powder in a waterproof cannister to keep it dry and hopefully we won't be down there too long. Ready when you are, Father Kyte."
Shesik nods. ”Yep, let’s see what’s under the hill. Better to get down there and get it done.” She looks over at Zelvin and Hekau. ”Ready to find your pa boys?”
I hope for their sakes we find him alive.
Shesik step up but makes sure Xaerai receives Kyte’s blessing before her. Just to make sure it is what he claims.
"Yes, I am ready. I hope we are successful in finding Khonnir Baine.
Thank you for the blessing of Brigh, Master Kyte."
Brigh would indeed be an appropriate patron deity for an android such as myself. But there are magical gifts that only Nethys can grant.
"Yep, I reckon that's it. Once we have Brigh's blessing, we're off. Thanks, Mister Kyte."
Tyn pats himself down getting a mental inventory of everything he is carrying,
"Yes, definitely a Waterproof for me...and I thank you sir!"
Kyte quickly blesses each of you with Brigh's magical gifts, before sending you on your way with wishes for good luck.
The entrance to the caves is underneath the waters of the Weeping Pond The path there takes you back across town, past the Market Square and the Copper Coin, one of the oldest taverns in town. Soon, you arrive at your destination.
This placid-looking pond is set off from the surrounding area by a crescent-shaped escarpment. No vegetation grows on the banks of this pond, and the waters carry a bitter stink of sulfur and other chemicals, enough to make the eyes water after spending too much time on the shore. The pond is fed by an underwater spring from under Black Hill, but no fish live in these waters.
Zelvin instinctively takes a deep breath, even though he doesn't need to do so, and steps into the murky waters.
"This water appears hazardous to organic life forms, including constructed organic lifeforms such as myself."
The chemicals do bother Hekau.
He wades in, fully aware that he can breathe underwater.
He is not particularly graceful.
As he comes upon the polluted pond, Tyn's mouth twists into a sneer that gives way to a wry smirk.
"Reminds me of some of the foul pools of the Manna Wastes...♬♭Memories♫!"
He follows suit as Zelvin enters the water.
Shesik scowls at the fetid water. ”That’s some nasty stuff down there. And you people live near this thing? No accounting for taste.”
She dives in after the others and immediately doubled over retching. Completely failing to make any headway further into the water.
"Ugh, it smells even worse than the slag-pits back home" Xaerai complains, grimacing at the lake but plunging in after the others with a sigh.
Upon contact with the tainted water, a horribly disorientating combination of vertigo and numbness pierces first through your skin and then throughout your entire body. While Zelvin and Tyn are able to keep their heads and swim capably, the rest of the party is overwhelmed and the pair are forced to double back and help them through the dark, underwater tunnel that leads beneath the Weeping Pond. Fortunately, the water breathing spell cast on the party means the risk is lost time, rather than drowning.
Only a few feet into the narrowing tunnel, all light from the surface is lost, and even those of you with darkvision find it difficult to see through the cloudy waters. It's after a couple minutes of half-swimming, half-pulling yourself along the rocks that the party surfaces into a small cave.
Dampness hangs in the air of this cave, condensing into heavy moisture on the slick, stone walls. The calm, dark waters wind around to the east up north, along a stony, soot-scarred beach. A five-foot-high ledge sporting several stalagmites rises to the east, beyond which a low-ceilinged cave beckons.
After doubling back to help guide the lost swimmers, Tyn doubles over upon reaching the beach'
"I swim corrected. That was nothing like any of the polluted pools of the Manna Wastes...Ugh!"
He retches and hangs out a bit to try and regain his immediate health.
Flailing her way back onto dry land, Xaerai coughs up the filthy water and spits a few times. "Oh gods, I can still taste it! It feels like it's coating my lungs!" the dwarf moans, retching a few times before shakily pushing to her feet.
"And to think it'll probably get worse from here..." she complains, checking that her gun and powder are dry.
Zelvin coughs and sputters as he finally pulls himself out of the muck. "Ahh! Ugh," he cries with alarm as he spits a gob of black mucus-like substance out of his mouth. "No wonder Mister Khonnir didn't want us to come this way," he mutters to Hekau. "But we ain't the first or even the second group to come this way, so we've got to do our best to keep our eyes peeled for signs of the others."
He casts a spell on himself and checks his pistol to make sure it is functional and loaded.
Dragging herself from the vile fluid with Zelvin and Tyn’s assistance, Shesik wipes the oily film from her face and retches one last time. ”I really hope we find a different way out. That’s horrible.”
Finally standing and looking around the cave she makes her way to the ledge and examines the glowing cracks. ”Any ideas what’s making the light?” She asks, dragging the tip of a claw lightly along one of the small fissures.
Tyn finishes his spill, head still pounding from whatever mysterious source has been causing the "migraineous" epidemic-it has been a rough day for Tyn, biologically speaking. He reels a bit, stumbling to inspect the natural phenomena that is the subject of the new query.
Zelvin looks up at the cracks and narrows his eyes.
Not recognizing what is causing the light, he decides to keep his mouth shut so as not to break the tenuous illusion that he's got some smarts.
Systems impaired... initiating nanite repair... optimal functioning to resume momentarily. Humanoids' systems should be able to effect similar repairs.
Hekau does what appears to be an imitation of a human cough, trying to expel some of the foul water from his system. His circuitry tattoos flicker erratically for a few moments.
"I believe no lasting harm was done."
He will also try to ascertain the source of the glow.
Grimacing at the film of residue still coating her hair and armor, Xaerai draws and loads her pistol and readies her shield. "I'm handy up close or a short range--does anyone object to my taking point?"
The party has only a few seconds to acclimate to the cavern before the source of the light quickly becomes apparent, as the glow brightens and coalesces into three pairs of glowing spots on the backs of a trio of beetles, each the size of a housecat, crawling out of the cracks and fissures in the wall. With a hiss (of anger or hunger, it's hard to tell), they rush forward!
Shesik
Zelvin
Beetles
Tyn Foyle
Hekau
Xaerai
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"Fire Beetles! Don't let size deceive you, they can fly...and those toothy maws pack one helluva nasty bite!"