[AP] Iron Gods by GM Rutseg

Game Master Balacertar

Rūha follows right after Zzvkgrogk, aiming to step past him to open the door once he confirms any traps have been dealt with. She waves to Yambul to stay close on her heels so they can get the jump on the Doc and any other foes that might be within the room furthest to the back. "Let's make this quick."

Expecting trouble, Rhoreen keeps her eyes open as she floats (5' up) down the hallway.

1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 2 = 25 Perception

Yambul follows Rüha closely into the room, looking for trouble!

Zzvkgrogk carefully works on the door, silently forcing the lock until the door opens into what seems a well stocked drugs lab.

A3. Alchemy Lab
The walls of this room are lined with workbenches adorned with all matter of alchemical substances and devices. The central area is open and remarkably free of clutter, while two metal doors face each other in the east and west walls.

Over the masterwork quality alchemy lab, you find out what seems a dozen freshly brewed doses of Numerian fluids awaiting delivery to the Palace of Fallen Stars. You recognize them because they are the same and use the same container as the ones Tek Makul gave to some of you.

Auto-make the Alchemy check

"Hmmm, what if we don't destroy the lab, but instead subtly sabotage this?" He gestures to the next Palace delivery. "What if we neutralize these? Maybe it'll weaken Kevoth-Kul."

Craft(Alchemy): 1d20 + 30 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 30 + 2 = 36

"I do not think this will take me too long."

If no one objects, he begins work on the freshly brewed Numerian drugs.

Feel free to read the C. Alchemy DC 20

+30 craft alchemy! Holy cat Zzvkgrogk! Save some alchemies for the rest of us. How long until you figure out how to turn lead to gold?

1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 = 17 Craft (Alchemy) to aid

Rhoreen tries to help Zzvkgrogk's efforts with the alchemy...and totally isn't trying to get any for herself. Her stomach doesn't need any further additions to its bilious structure.

Yambul keeps his eyes open for trouble while Zzvkgrogk works. "When we're done, I'll talk to the barkeep. Let her know we'll be back in a few days to finish the job, but we got called away for now. Hopefully she's OK with the delay. If not," he shrugs unconcerned, "it'll be harder next time."

"That should give them time enough for them to send this batch over. Then we destroy their supply line, here at least, and maybe the extended period without drugs will awaken the leader to what's going on."

He's not sure if they'll get help this way, but it's a good plan. Go Zzvkgrogk!

Zzvkgrogk moves around the lab like if this was his second home, opening the the receptacles and mixing substances after reading the names, measuring quantities in the balance and heating stuff in the exact measures as only a master alchemist could do. His work is so precise, that he administers special substances that should help the Black Sovereign endure the withdrawal symptoms.

1d100 ⇒ 99

It passes an hour. Seems no one comes into the room, and given the work that should have taken a whole afternoon for an professional is swiftly solved by the ratfolk in just this hour, you can close the lab and leave all the stuff without being discovered.

The drugs, now neutralized to just a slightly dizzying placebo, are left in the table like if nothing had been adulterated.

When you make it out, Saoria is expectant behind the counter. Three clients already consuming around one table in the corner "And so? I was starting to worry, you have been there for a good while"

"Well done Zzvkgrogk! I dunno how you know what to mix with what. The names all seem like a different language to me."

Yambul sheaths his falchion before they leave. He walks up to Saoria at the bar, looking serious.

”Yeah, um, about that, Saoria. We had a long conversation, and we’re going to hold off what we discussed. Just for a few days. Please be patient with us, we want to make sure we do this right…” he leans in whispering, ”and don’t burn the place down of course.” He leans back grinning.

”I promise we’ll be back.” he adds earnestly.

If she seems to agree, Yambul nods and heads for the door.

Ruha keeps watch while Zzvkgrogk does his work, a little concerned about the change of plans. All things considered, it seems like ending the League operation here entirely would be the best for the long term. Still, it does seem sensible to wean an addict off his supply more gradually. Or at least, that's what she's heard. She follows after Yambul on the way out, nodding to Saoria as she does.

She adds to Yambul's comments "Don't let anyone important know, of course. But if anything happens here while we're away, we'll know. We'll be back to chat with the old doc soon enough."

"That's some good work, <*sound*>" Rhoreen makes a sound like she is choking back a fit of jealous rage at being upstaged. "It's perfectly done. I don't think I could have done better myself."

* * *

Rhoreen doesn't have more words for Saoria as they leave, confused how the party accidentally did something without a ton of violence. Again, she isn't sure she could have done better herself.

"Let's get back and plan our next move."

Saoria crosses her arms behind the counter, eyes narrowing as Yambul gives his explanations. Her gaze flicks briefly to Rūha, then to the rest of the group "Hmph. You all went in without much hesitation, and now you're walking away with even less."

She studies each of your faces, her voice low and even, not angry, but clearly probing "Fine. I don't want to have anything with this business. But if the League asks questions, I'll need to say something. So you better hope whatever you have done does not put this place into the spotlight"

A beat. Then a faint smirk tugs at the corner of her lips "I'll keep the fires burning. But don't take too long, or you will have to deal with someone else. I am done with that a+*@#&$"

She turns her attention to the bottles behind the bar, already moving on. Though it's clear she's not entirely convinced, she does not try to stop you moving out.

Ruha inclines her head toward Saoria "Thank you. And don't worry. We didn't do nothing back there." She heads back out into the street to regroup with the party.

"I'm not sure if that was right. If the Doc is still about, he might notice what was done. Might make things more complicated. I feel we should have continued poking around, found him, and taken him down. Then whoever came to investigate his disappearance would likely take whatever batch is left over to the Sovereign." She crosses a pair of arms. "Not too late if we change our minds." She pauses then adds "And we have the rest of the day before any shopping tonight."

”Oh, thank you Calliope,” Zzvkgrogk concentrates as Calliope hands him a catalyst at exactly the right moment.

How long until you figure out how to turn lead to gold?

When he is able to build a 1,062,992 inch cyclotron.

"Well done Zzvkgrogk! I dunno how you know what to mix with what. The names all seem like a different language to me."

”EGCG – some L-theanine and a tiny bit of C18 H16 O8. ...Easy…” he continues mixing carefully.

Zzvkgrogk bows given the praise. ”I put a pinch of ‘all-heal’ in to alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms, I hope it will work and be refreshing, but if nothing else it certainly won’t hurt.”

"I'll keep the fires burning. But don't take too long, or you will have to deal with someone else."

He turns to Saoria. ”We weren’t here, right? We are starting a reaction," he briefly grimaces at his word choice. "Be assured we are anticipating that and will see it through to the end -- and the bar will remain standing.”

Once out of the bar, Zzvkgrogk suggests, ”Well, we should hit the night market or auctions…. Maybe ride back into Sovereign’s Watch tomorrow. Who knows – maybe we’ll run into Hyrsek again in one of those places. I wonder how he’s faring.”

"For that matter, I wonder how Khalia is doing."

Yambul smiles, ”By all means, if you must, say we breached, but it won’t be necessary. Still, we don’t want to extend your suffering. So we’ll be back soon.”

Yambul heads out and, once they’re a few streets away and no one is listening in, he replies to Rüha and Zzvkgrogk, "I think shopping is tomorrow. Tonight is collecting our gear out of the city. That said, I think we left a pretty light touch in there, let's keep it that way Rüha. They may grow suspicious if we take out the Doc tonight. Anyway, that's my thought."

"Still, we have today available to do stuff in town at least. I doubt we're getting our cache before nightfall anyway. Anyone have any ideas on what stuff we should be doing next? Maybe we can look for Khalia and see if we can help?”

He shrugs not sure what to pursue next. If no one has any further ideas, he suggests walking about the town. Maybe it's less depressing in other districts...

Rhoreen is pleased with the results, and follows Yambul out.

"I'm not sure what to do next, might be we check back with our mockious contact? They might want to know of our success."

"Sure, we should let them know what Zzvkgrogk done done anyway."

He thinks about a healthy ruler, and what that'll mean.

"The Doc will be just as suspicious when he discovers his supply doesn't do what he thought it wound. But I guess we can be back here if that happens, I suppose Yambul." Ruha glances at the tavern "I almost want to give Saoria a place to leave a message if things change here before we return. But I suppose the city isn't so big that we can't stop by soon."

She nods to the suggestion to check with Khalia "She seemed to have everything in hand when she left, but it can't hurt to check. We can stop by the Mockery first to see if there are any updates."

The streets outside buzz with mid-afternoon energy. Scavenger crews and merchant runners thread through crowds, while a smattering of travelers loiter near tech-vendors hawking patchwork wares under stretched canvas tarps. Somewhere, a mechanical street performer emits bursts of staccato flute notes, barely audible over the churn of the city.

You regroup, words turning to give word of your deeds to the Mockery before maybe searching for Khalia or Hyrsek.

As you turn into a narrow street in Killbox, the air grows thick with smoke and tension. Two League enforcers in black armor drag a bleeding young-looking android by a collar of sparking metal, his synthetic skin torn to expose flickering circuitry. A crowd watches in silence, heads lowered, as one of the guards slams him against a wall under a glowing League insignia.

"Property doesn't run," the enforcer snarls, raising a shock baton. The crackle of electricity pulses just as the android's dim eyes meet yours, pleading, terrified, human.

The enforcer cracks the baton across the android's ribs despite he lays down motionless, "You want freedom? Dig for it in the mine, scrap!" as the android crumples with a distorted whimper, sparks dancing across his frame.

The Mockeries refuge is about four streets away from your current position.

Rhoreen's ears perk up at the sour notes in the air.

"Is that staccato fluting we hear? How is that considered music? Sounds more like the wails of a kobold nursery," Rhoreen grouses at the free music offered in the city.

* * *

Rhoreen pauses at the abuse of a sentient entity, shaking her head. She's willing to intervene, but wouldn't if others didn't want to cause trouble.

I can get him out of there easily.

"Is that staccato fluting we hear?”

”I can hear that Calliope, but there’s more under the … churn,” he says, trying to make ‘meaningful” eye contact with Rhoreen.

He ducks behind Yambul. Syncopated with the staccato flute, he hurls a squib of flash powder slightly beyond the League Enforcers to distract them from his gang.

Stealth: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (17) + 28 = 45
Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24 - Whatever the range increment might be.
For He is just trying to cause a brief distraction.

He peeks out from behind Yambul after the bang to see what is going on, prepared to pretend that he was startled but didn't see anything.

Ruha tenses up, but realizes if Zzvkgrogk can lead the League Enforcers away, this could be an opportunity to finally help one of the locals. She looks out for any other League figures or observers nearby that might notice aid being given.

Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (8) + 24 = 32

Timing with Zzvkgrog's distraction, Rhoreen will cast Dimension Door as she walks up to the andriod, releasing it as she touches the android. She will bend time and space to move herself and the android about a block away from the Mockful headquarters.

Yambul slouches a bit, looking casual. He blinks at the explosion and points, "Wow, would you look at that!" in surprise.

Bluff: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 20 + 2 = 39 (should still have heroism, but if not -2)

The explosion pops just beyond the enforcers, sharp enough to draw their attention. Both turn, weapons raised, scanning the smoke-veiled street with visors humming as they switch to thermal.

"The hell was that?" one barks, the other curses and looks back "Target's gone!"

They spread out, one jogging down the alley where the flash came from, baton ready. The other slams a fist into the wall "Lock the ward. Report it. We've got a breach!"

Behind them, a surveillance drone lifts from a perch with a mechanical chirr, its lens sweeping the street.

Some streets away, the android steadies herself against a wall still hold by Rhoreen. Her voice is ragged, metallic "Thank you... for that, I don't think I would had made it alive this time..." she says, not meeting the half-elf's eyes "I'm Retio"

"Thank you... for that, I don't think I would had made it alive this time..." she says, not meeting the half-elf's eyes "I'm Retio"

"Hmmm," Rhoreen replies with her usual levels of friendliness and charm. "Let's get you off the street. Do you have a place where you can be safe?"

Yambul suggests the group get off the streets, but not yet in the direction of the safe house. "Let's find a pub and grab a drink until things die down."

Not knowing where Rhoreen went off to, he heads to the nearest watering hole.

Retio nods once, short and energetically "I will try to get out of this city. I have heard some like me walk free on the south"

Elsewhere, Yambul ducks into a smoke-dimmed bar two blocks east. A pair of scrapped loader arms frame the door, and the bartender, a broad-shouldered half-orc with oil-slicked braids, doesn't flinch as a League drone passes by overhead.

For now, no whistles. No sirens. Just waiting.

"I will try to get out of this city. I have heard some like me walk free on the south"

"South, you say?" Rhoreen ponders where a safe spot for an andriod might be.

1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 2 = 31 Know (Local)

And offer directions...

1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 = 29 Know (Geography)

"But...before you go. What were those guards talking about? Where were you working and why? Where and what is the mine? How many of you are still there? Tell me more..."

"The League, they took me in one of their forays into the Silver Mount..." Retio explains "They use us androids for the most dangerous works at the mines. Not even slaves are put to it. They extract minerals, for fuel, and for these strange alien materials."

Rhoreen remembers about Hajoth Hakados, but it might be the android is referring to the free Torch, or perhaps just outside Numeria.

Zzvkgrogk follows wordlessly after Yambul. Once inside the bar, he orders a ginger beer.

Ruha blinks in surprise at the sudden disappearance of Rhor and the unknown android, but when the others decide to lie low while the League investigation dies down, she joins them at the nearby bar. She murmurs to the others "We could do small things like this, but its risky while their control is so strong. The noise up at the top can't start early enough."

Yambul gets some drinks and finds a table - hopefully one by a window so he can look out in the street. Rhoreen might come back, and she might go forward, but he’s content to lie low a bit before making his way to the safe house.

He works on some jewelry to keep his hands busy - just killing time. "Rüha, that woman was gonna die. I know we gotta think of the big picture too. But this was clean." He looks for Rhoreen, "I hope."

Rhoreen nods and lets Retio. "If you don't need further help to escape, then go. Otherwise, we can wait until my companions arrive. They were going to come this way, and assuredly would know that I come this direction. I wish you well. If you head to Torch, you will find my friends there. Tell them that I sent you."

Rhoreen settles in to wait for the party wherein she will explain what she learned from Retio.

Retio tilts her head slightly, expression dim under the half-light "Torch..." she echoes, uncertain "Who... are you?"

---

Two blocks away, the bar hums to life as the party waits. A slow, grinding synth line pulses from a warped ceiling speaker, something local to Starfall, low, metallic, off-tempo.

A broad-shouldered server with one scarred eye and glowing tattoos sets down a tray without a word: a tall flask of clear blue liquid that steams faintly, a bowl of fried root slivers drizzled with orange synth-fat, and skewers of meat that smell like spice and smoke and maybe engine coolant.

League patrols pass by the window every now and then, but no one comes it fetch the party.

"Torch..." she echoes, uncertain "Who... are you?"

"Tell them Large Marge Rhoreen sent you."

Rhoreen will wait by the mockerous destination, then return to the inn after waiting.

I'm sure this will all work out.

”We could do small things like this, but its risky while their control is so strong. The noise up at the top can't start early enough."

”I agree – let’s hope it is the last time,” Zzvgrogk states, glancing out the window. ”Hopefully a sober Kevoth-Kul will see the grievances of the city and put the League back in their place. Ghartone that two faced jerk is what really worries me.”

He sips his ginger beer, aggressively ignoring what passes for food in Starfall.

”Maybe the entertainment takes requests. We could ask them to play a song that attracts craftspeople...”

Answering Yambul, Ruha says "Rhor really worked her magic. Or uh, worked her magic with her magic. Or, well-" She coughs behind her mask "In any case, its good she got that android out. I'm sure there are stories like that happening around here every day."

"Ghartone clearly has his fingers in things. We'll likely meet him before long..." She muses after Zzvkgrogk chimes in. She leaves the snacks alone but nods her thanks to the server.

After some time to let the heat die down she suggests "Meet up at M's? I'm sure that's where Rhor went."

After some time to let the heat die down she suggests "Meet up at M's? I'm sure that's where Rhor went."

"Yeah, if she's coming back, she'll have come back by now I expect. Let's head over and see if she's there."

Yambul finishes his drink and heads out of the bar in that general direction - watching for watchers.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

The party rejoins by the safehouse, the scent of oil and old paper fills the dim interior. The Mockery stands by the cracked chalkboard, arms crossed, visor glinting under a sputtering bulb.

"So," he says flatly, exhaling through his nose grill when you explain your achievements "I hope you know what you are doing. You are placing yourselves at too much risk with this approach, but... I'll see how this develops"

He turns toward the board "I've got no new leads. The League's gotten twitchy, sure, more noise in the towers, more patrols, but I don't know why. Something's spooking them"

Then the Mockery waves a hand dismissively "Rest. Lie low. If something cracks open, you'll know"

The streets are quieter by the time the group slips back to the inn. The barkeep eyes you, but says nothing. Upstairs, the rooms are unchanged: familiar walls, lumpy cots, shadows kept at bay by soft electric lamps.

For now, the night is yours.

Plan. Wander. Rest.
Tomorrow waits, just out of sight.

After the Mockery is gone, Ruha turns to the others "I don't think we can afford to just lie low. Are we heading to the Night Market tonight?"

Yambul’s happy to rest - this city has him on edge. So many folk he wants to help and can’t. Not yet. But soon. ”We have to wait for the drugs to drain from the poor man before he’s lucid again anyway, right? Sure would be nice to do something else before the Night Market tomorrow - I don’t think it’s tonight Rüha. Time sure feels compressed, but there’s really nothing specifically for us to do tonight. So I suppose laying low is an OK plan for today.” He shrugs uncertainly.

”That was right sneaky of you two. A grenade to distract and that ‘bamphing’ thing you do.” He looks from Zzvkgrogk to Rhoreen and back again. ”That was a slick save. Well done you two.” he grins.

He’ll get a good night’s sleep in, and spend the bulk of the next day working on various little bits of jewelry. He’s content to rest and lay low right up to the Night Market, unless something comes up or the party suggests a different approach.

Rhoreen makes sure to explain what she learned from Retio to the group. Most of it, they probably knew, but adding an underline to the sin of slavery on the Technic League's rap sheet is important.

She consents to lay low for the day, but also begins adding up the various retributions she has planned for the League.

"Ah, you're right. I feel anxious not doing anything while the League keeps making moves around here..." Ruha flexes her fingers, then looks over her shoulder toward the entrance of the inn. She turns back to Rhor and listens to her explanation "All the more reason to make sure we take them down as soon as we can. The question is what we do tomorrow. Since as Yambul said it won't be soon for the Black Sovereign to come to his senses. Do we want to maybe scout out the League stronghold? Or head back to the palace and see if we can get any other allies on our side, or quietly deal with any enemies?"

The night settles over Starfall with the heavy quiet of a storm yet to break. Outside, the metal bones of the city creak and buzz; inside the inn, the glow of dim lamps makes islands of warmth in a sea of shadow.

The group rests, uneasy, alert.

Morning arrives without incident, thin light filtered through soot-streaked windows. The city hums with its daily activity.

You work in some small personal things, like crafting jewelry while you do time for the night. Unless you want to do something else today, the Night Market awaits next.

Zzvkgrogk will work on copying spells into his formulae book during the 'laying low' time.

"'Retio', you say? Do you think they went back to Torch if they got out O.K. ? I hope they got out O.K. ..."

"'Retio', you say? Do you think they went back to Torch if they got out O.K. ? I hope they got out O.K. ..."

"Yeah, Retio. And I also hope they got out okay. They seemed pretty reluctant to ask for more help. Maybe they thought there were limits to my generous and magnanimous nature, I can't say. If they needed more help, they did not ask for it," Rhoreen replies.

Rhoreen doesn't have much more to do than wait for the Night Market.

Yambul is content to lie low rather than poke the bear. Sure, just walking around shouldn't do any harm, but the last time they just walked around, they freed a dying android.

It seems likely they'd do the same again given the opportunity, so best to avoid the opportunity. Evil has been here for some time, they won't kill it quickly.

He just hopes they kill it.