"You know Hellion? How?" The fact that this robot knows that little bit of information strikes Ruha as unusual. Especially if its a specialized bot used by the league here underground for what looks like surgery. Could all Androffan robots be tied together by some kind of communication network the group has not yet uncovered? It shouldn't be impossible, but there haven't been any other signs of something like that until now.
”Oooh-woowoo!” Chortles Zzvkgrogk. ”We might be getting close to the pharmacy! This is a surgeon robot!”
”We're now *MASTERS* of this place, and we're looking for Gryne's head.”
”Yeah,” Zzvkgrogk backs Rūha and Rhoreen. ”dear Doctor, how do you know so much about us? And, we will ask you the same – what are you doing in this place?”
Yambul has little to say, expecting combat to break out at any moment - and not liking the look of that syringe.
But he is very curious as to what the robot will say in response.
"My neuron circuits were loaded with information about you before the Technic League extracted me from Silver Mount, that's why I know about you" the surgeon robot explains without hesitance "I am assigned to this post to help with surgeries. The master is interested on the research of interface that would improve already existing humans"
"I am assigned here only as a surgeon, but I cannot let you pass" the robot further explains about his functions "Now, what are you going to do about it? You want to show me your fighting techniques?"
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Khalia looks over the Zzvkith's many shoulders, listening to the surgeon robot speak civilly.
"Who is your master? You are yourself potentially very useful to the well-being of Starfall, if you're reprogrammed correctly." The android begins to shimmer with internal light, and she steadies her voice through her initial conversation with the surgeon robot, seeking the correct wavelength on which she may proceed to influence it.
"Data that Unity gathered on us? Then you must have been extracted recently. Who was the one who brought you here?" Ruha asks questions equally to keep the robot occupied as she is curious as to what this seemingly intelligent medical robot might make of the whole situation. Though clearly ethically compromised, it's not impossible for such a robot to be reprogrammed...
Diplomacy
Yambul is surprised, a little, at the robots eagerness for battle. Truth be told, he's eager too. He wonders if now is a good time to get that implant done... you know, before destroying the robot.
He keeps his mouth shut for now and watches Rhoreen chat up the surgeon.
"My master is Unity indeed and Ozmyn brought me here and gave me to a woman named Gryne" the robot sets its syringes in a protective position "I cannot let you touch me, **brrrt** **brrrt** I can let you pass. **brrrt** She has requested me to heal her and moved there, with Krimox, past the secret door"
When Khalia likely asks about the passage, the robot even approaches the eastern wall and slides open the secret passage for you.
”Well done Khalia!” Yambul whispers back as he goes forward through the secret door.
He’s wondering just how deep this place goes! The team is getting tired… stretched thin. They’ll have to be careful.
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"Oh, I did that?! Wonderful. Very good me," Rhoreen smugs as her effort bear such wonderful fruits...and a lead on Gryne.
"Let's go."
She is tired and stretched thin, but doesn't want Gryne to get away.
As you go through the secret passage, the first of you reaches a wall, and when slide open, the two of you at the head gets a glimpse of the destination.
Long glowing bars set into the ceiling fill this chamber with harsh light. A metal table sits in the room’s center, surrounded by cruel-looking machines with articulated arms tipped with saw blades, needles, cutting edges, and other surgical implements. Body parts harvested from dozens of sources are arranged on the walls around grotesque displays of harvested skin and faces—all perfectly cleaned and preserved so that no blood stains the room’s pristine floors or walls.
The most prominent creature in the room, towering over Gryne herself, is an even strange kyton that has shed vast portions of his body, leaving behind a skinless torso and head and little else. The rest of his body has been replaced with a frame built of robotic appendages and technology.
Although the creature looks like an Interlocutor Kyton, he has been modified, shedding large parts of his skin away and enhanced with all types of robotic pieces.
It is hard to tell what he can be capable of, but you can expect all types of robotic cyber capabilities in addition to the usual kyton ones.
The creature does not attack you on the spot, despite he and the other two kytons in the room seem prepared for your arrival. He instead asks you in a calm and contained tone "Why have you brought such pain and misery to a city already so full of them?"
Ruha nods slowly before asking Khalia "Can you ask it nicely to stay where it is for now and render its healing at a later time? We'll, hmm, go talk to Gryne first."
---
Ruha steps forward and says dryly "You would think you'd applaud us for bringing pain and misery. Unfortunately some of us have things to finish with Gryne. Who might you be?" She hopes the others will be able to get a bit of a view and prepare in the few seconds before the fight inevitably starts.
Know (Planes)
Rhoreen realizes something and holds her breath, letting others speak while she thinks.
Weapon Equipped = Chainsaw (60m)
Conditions = Heroism (+2, 160m), Darkvision (60m), Barkskin (60m), Resist Electricity (30, 20m)
Chainsaw: Att: 13/8/3 BAB +8 Str +1 magic +1 focus (-4 PA) Dam: +12 Str +1 magic (+12 PA) Crit: 15-20x2 DR: adamantine, magic Charges: 9/10
Falchion: Att: 13/8/3 BAB +8 Str +1 MW (-4 PA) Dam: +12 Str (+12 PA) Crit: 18-20x2 DR: adamantine
Longbow: Att: 13/8/3 BAB +5 Dex +1 Magic Dam: +8 Str +1 Magic Crit: 20x3 DR: cold iron/silver
Chef’s knife: Att: 13/8/3 BAB +1 magic +8 Str / +5 Dex (-4 PA) Dam: +8 Str +1 magic (+8 PA) Crit: 19-20x2 DR: magic Rng: 10’
Studied: (yellow) (mv|sw|im; +3 att, dam, bluff, disguise, intimidate, knowledge, perception, sense motive, stealth, survival)
Improved Iron Will (0/1d, reroll will save)
Spells: (1/1d, Magic Missile, cl 3) (1/1d, Prestidigitation, cl1) (0/1d, Shield, cl12)
- - -
Yambul also strides into the room, ”You’ve brought misery you little piece of s*#!! Whatever anguish we’ve caused collaterally is tiny compared to what you’ve wrought on purpose! I mean damnation - you’re dealing with demons!” he gets right up in the face of yellow, and studies it.
Defensive Abilities improved evasion; DR 10/silver or good; Immune cold;
SR 23
The towering kyton regards Yambul without the slightest hint of offense. The expressionless, skinless face remains eerily calm, while the mechanical limbs supporting its mutilated body emit a soft chorus of clicking servos "You mistake observation for accusation. Pain is neither righteous nor wicked. It simply... is"
His gaze passes slowly across each of you before settling on Yambul "You have killed many to stand here. You tell yourselves they deserved it. Perhaps they did"
The kyton pauses.
"They told themselves the same"
One of the smaller kytons lets out a dry, rasping chuckle, but falls silent as the towering creature raises a metallic hand "I am Krimox, The Thrice-Flensed. I just find it curious you judge the pain of ones more worthy than others. Let me ask you at this point, what do you seek here?"
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Ruha answers matter-of-factly "Some of us have unfinished business with Gryne, who you are keeping apparently under your protection - such as it is. As for what we seek, you're looking at the new Sovereign of Starfall." She flicks her bottom right hand at Yambul "And I think he's none too pleased with the way you've been operating here from his tone."
Speaking to Yambul she says "I'd guess with a name like Thrice-Flensed, our host is something of a demon himself."
"Why have you brought such pain and misery to a city already so full of them?"
Zzvkgrogk looks around to make sure there is no other group to which Krimox could be addressing.
”Who us?!” he asks, genuinely surprised. ”Are you saying that you don’t like competition? I think, Zzvkith – maybe these kytons don’t like the fact that we do not take sadistic – or any other kind of pleasure – out of our particular approach to murder and mayhem.”
”You have killed many to stand here. You tell yourselves they deserved it. Perhaps they did"
”You are projecting. You have to be. We don’t think like that. We are doing what any organism does for survival. We are protecting our homes, our families and our lives from alien pathogens and the half organic, half clockwork abominations they inspire. Creatures such as yourself. No one and no thing stands in our way.”
He lowers his smoke goggles and levels his laser pistol at red.
"Can you ask it nicely to stay where it is for now and render its healing at a later time? We'll, hmm, go talk to Gryne first."
Khalia nods, addresses the surgeon robot. "We're going to talk with Gryne now. We are assuming you are under her command, so we will return here eventually to share with you any permissions she gives us." The android knows enough not to admit that they will be breaking the chain of command, likely.
...
Khalia remains towards the rear of the Zzvkith, but she is becoming more interested in the exchange, when violence doesn't immediately erupt.
"Let me ask you at this point, what do you seek here?"
"Initially, we sought to purge this complex of it denizens, root out the Technic League's minions, for their culpability in enslaving Starfall, and subjugating the rightful ruler. It's usually come at the expense of our own wounds, and their inevitable deaths, which we grant you, are many." Khalia considers her companions' words.
"We're seeking restoration, Krimox. Your presence here is unwanted. It is incompatible with the principles of the new leadership. Have you considered removing yourself to another plane of existence?"
Rhoreen waits to see what the tongues of her colleagues have wrought and bought with their words. She is not hopeful, but she could be surprised.
"What my friends have all said is true. But to the root of the matter, we seek to, ah, root out the evil in this city and try to change direction. As such, you are not welcome here anymore."
"Whatever your philosophical bent, we're here to deal with Gryne and purge this basement of kyton and other demonic influences. It's simple really. You can go back to your plane, or face us. But you'll not continue here with your unholy influences!"
He studies Krimox.
Ruha reflects on the likelihood that the tone of her allies remarks will land well with this dangerous metal-and-flesh monstrosity. She reasons the odds of it accepting the rebuke magnanimously are essentially zero. And yet, it can't hurt to try. Unless... she wonders if perhaps Krimox is stalling in hopes of some reinforcements arriving...
"So certain. So absolute" Krimox hollow voice remains almost gentle "You speak of restoration, yet your plea sounds just another change to shape this city according to your own design, just as Ozmyn did"
His eyeless face turns toward Khalia "I have no desire to rule your world. I came here because something beneath Silver Mount fascinates my kind. There is an intellect there... one that dreams of replacing flesh with steel. Such ambition is... worthy of study"
"Ozmyn was not its master. He was its instrument. As you will fall to be if not provided by the proper guidance" the smaller kytons remain motionless as their leader speaks "If you truly intend a change on this city, then you will have to descend into Silver Mount, and face its master"
"There is no need to fight my people. We are mere... scholars of the flesh. If you descend the mountain, if you learn what this being is, if you return that knowledge to me, then I you might have a chance to not be an instrument, to keep your independence, and I will permit you to leave this chamber unmolested. More than that..." a compartment opens within his metallic torso, revealing two tightly sealed scrolls "...I shall gift you these. They summon servants of my faith to answer your call and help you in this endeavor"
His mechanical fingers close over the scrolls and his tone becomes dry and tough for the first time "Refuse, and we need waste no more words"
Rhoreen shrugs, happy to take the deal, but also knows the kingling might feel differently.
Ruha has no interest in taking the deal, knowing that these malicious creatures will engage in some wanton cruelty in the party's absence. She says "I'd thank you for the offer and the warning, but we're already well informed of what lies beneath Silver Mount and the need to face it. Curious how there was something under Starfall as well. Can't resist a good underground lair, can you?"
She's pretty sure its about to come to blows, but lets the others say their part.
"Yeah, that's a hard no. I'm saddened to admit your offer is tempting, but such offers always are aren't they?"
"I cannot imagine the horrors you will commit, which we would be tacitly approving, in our absence."
"We cannot take your deal."
He readies for combat.
Hearing Yam-king's words, Rhoreen stares at the kyton, then moves back.
Khalia hears impossible knowledge coming from Krimox, and it confuses her. "You are the same as Unity. You... revere Her. If you speak, here and now, does She hear you? We are agents of Numeria. We will not become instruments. You look like you willingly became one yourself."
Khalia watches the Transformation Chamber for signs of aggression.
"There is no need to fight my people. We are mere... scholars of the flesh. If you descend the mountain, if you learn what this being is, if you return that knowledge to me, then I you might have a chance to not be an instrument, to keep your independence, and I will permit you to leave this chamber unmolested.”
”What?!” Zzvkgrogk cries in a manner suggesting that he is more than slightly insulted. ”I am not that kind of lab rat!” He flashes his Engineering badge around quickly for everyone to see. ”Think again! We’re going to take out that intellect, and when we do this whole mountain will come crashing down on all of us!”
The concern has crossed Zzvkgrogk’s mind more than once, but he really has no idea.
He keeps the laser pistol levelled.
”You have three choices. You can take your chances and fight us, you can stay here and get crushed, or you can save yourselves the bruises and bamf off to wherever it is that you came from – never to return!”