Protector Nyralaen and the other planners for the anassanoi resistance are obviously pleased to hear that you're ready for another mission so quickly. They deliver a full briefing, explaining that Kahlannal contains several shrines to its Protectors. One of the shrines, that to Protector Jheghal, was assaulted early in the invasion. Protector Jheghal was able to activate the shrine's defenses (ensuring that the sacred items inside would not fall into enemy hands) before he sortied out into battle and was killed.
We mourn Protector Jheghal and venerate his sacrifice. Yet now the time for action has come: if we are able to obtain the sacred items inside, we can induct a new Protector and bond them to the chariot. And more, we may be able to use the relics to heal Protector Faeffel, who still lingers in the mind-ebb.
When Nyralaen broadcasts the word "chariot", an image accompanies it that is very different than a primitive wheeled-vehicle: an anassanoi "chariot" is a strange vehicle of flowing, mercury-like metal that seems capable of altering its form and merging with other chariots to make even larger vehicles. The chariot is the command center for the shrine's security. Minor telepathic ability is required to establish contact with it, and then it can be asked to unlock the doors in the shrine before it is instructed to journey to our headquarters here.
However, Nyralaen explains, the chariot itself is within a protective dome in the shrine, which, since Protector Jheghal has died and cannot unlock with his touch, it will only open with the telepathic key-word concept "peace".
Mild anxiety accompanies the final part of Nyralaen's briefing. And we must warn you: our agents have identified one of Nysteryx's most trusted lieutenants, a sun giant named Vellera, attempting to crack the magical seals on the shrine. Without the key-word, she has been unable to enter--but the occupiers are resourceful, and may yet discern a way in. Be wary!
Amhesha uses the Mindlink Circlet to communicate, I can activate it myself. I always wear a Mindlink Circlet since my mom is a Shirren, she says as she taps the mindlink circlet on her head.
"Sun giant, huh? Thanks for warning us don't think I know much about them, though," she says. She turns to the local xenobiologist, Theo, for any advive on fighting it.
That should work. I also have a telepathic message spell as a backup.
She also looks to see what advice Theo will give about a Sun Giant.
Hey Theo... can we fight a Sun Giant? Do we need any special resources?
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"If it bleeds I can kill it." Theodore says, rising to his full height and cracking his knuckles. "But I suppose you wanted specifics."
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Ha! A giant. Just a giant! Even tha worthless white-skinned dwarves fought them well... An' I gonna rip out his kneecaps an' juggle them in front o' his eyes, bhahaha!... Tulgram kneads his fists, knocking alternately with his knuckles inside his palms like a real boxer, and then suddenly stops. Sorry colleagues, my new partner is releasing too much adrenaline. From time to time, we sort of argue about who's in charge here, but I always win. Otherwise, someone will find themselves in a waste tank, right? The last phrase is clearly not addressed to you.
Aye, while we're getting ready, I'll have a little more fun. Tulgram takes out a tiny vial of Mehrren's blood, opens it, sticks his tongue out wide and drops one small drop directly into his mouth. As a drop of blood passes through the duergar's insides, a biological supercomputer in his brain performs an in-depth study of the creature's DNA.
As Theodore and Amhesha search their memories (and datapads) for information on sun giants, Tulgram conducts a DNA test on Protector Mehrren's blood!
either through benevolent exploration or selfish conquest. They hold particular animosity toward creatures from the Shadow Plane. Even being within a stone’s throw of a sun giant can leave creatures dazzled by their brightness!
"I also have a Mindlink Circlet." Xylian says. A sun giant may not be a dragon, but would still qualify as big game hunting.
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With everyone reporting ready, a resistance scout leads you through a veritable labyrinth of narrow passageways, disused magtrain tunnels, and building basements. Finally, you emerge out onto the streets of Kahlannal. There are few shadows here, as the buildings of pearlescent material or silver metal seem to channel the light into every recess and crevice.
The shrine is ahead. This is as close as I can guarantee your safety, the guide broadcasts telepathically alongside images of azer and ignan patrols.
Zharis thanks their guide quietly and assures the scout that they can take it from here.
Then she looks at each of her companions, wondering who she needs to help out in this endeavor.
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As they head through the tunnels, Theo shares what he knows about sun giants with the group.
Zharis casts invisibility on Theodore before they head in, saying
Okay, they can't see you, but try to not make too much noise, because they can still see you.
Then she heads in as well.
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Xylian the giant robot stomps down the center of the road. Just kidding, he leaves his powered armor behind for now, though his cannon is no less threatening.
The group try to make their way stealthily toward the shrine. Amhesha slinks silently from doorway to doorway, but Zharis is so concerned with her allies that she lingers in view a touch too long--fortunately, Amhesha is able to motion her back into a nearby recess.
For his part, Xylian has the natural ability but lacks the training to move tactically without detection.
Tulgram naturally does his best to move unnoticed. The problem is that the task is a little beyond the capabilities of the obese duergar.
Zharis chides herself for overconfidence, and nods to Amhesha for the save.
Zharis sees the rest of the party struggling, and tries to come up with a plan B on the fly. She wonders if she can can use disguise self and "discover" the rest of the group herself. Then she could pretend to be doing a security exercise, or even leading some prisoners. She has enough manacles for everyone... she starts digging them out while they wait for Theo to cross, and whispers the plan to Amhesha.
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Knowing he's invisible, Theodore concentrates on walking softly, not letting his claws tap on the metal floor plating, etc.
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Just as an azer patrol is about to come around and bend and spot Tulgram, invisible hands reach out and lift him into hiding! The patrol passes by, none the wiser.
Soon, the urban infrastructure of Kahlannal gives way to a a lush, open park. A path leads to an oblong, pearlescent building that looks like a natural, dome-shaped shell. A swirling spire rises from it, while thin windows in dazzling colors cover the angled front, surrounding three giant doors, the centermost of which has a large hole melted through it!
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Xylian will scan for any cameras that may be accessible so they can get a lay of the land.
Tulgram clutches his weapon and prepares to strike when the time comes.
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The group approach the building from the far side of the doors. Xylian scans the area for cameras to access, but it seems the anassanoi either don't use public surveillance technology or have chosen not to install it outside a sacred place like a Protector's Shrine.
Amhesha will scan for any kind of technology, hybrid or otherwise, that she can gain access to to gain an advantage.
Zharis will keep an eye out for any alternate entrances, or anything else that looks unusual.
A search of the perimeter of the shrine shows no hidden dangers and nothing out of the ordinary, apart from the large hole melted in the centermost of the shrine's three doors! The hole is almost 8 feet wide and 12 feet high!
The area beyond is brightly lit, and the group's scouts realize the light beyond the doorway flickers and moves--fiery creatures linger there!
Fortunately, the fiery creatures haven't seen the strangers from beyond the star!
Hey Amhesha, you're a sniper, right? Think you can shoot one of those things from here? Maybe we can draw them out. Also, I suspect they will be harder to kill up close. That hole in the door looks huge. Anyone got any bright ideas before we begin?
"Yes, I can manage that. How far back do you want me? I can go a decent ways back without the scope, but even farther with... but I'd be worried about getting," she says as she struggles to find the next word, instead inserting a nebulous word of Protean, "from behind while I'm too far out."
If we can shoot 'em through the door, I can help with that as well." Theo says, drawing his Gelid Ice Carbine.
"My damned paws would give out on me if you want the full range of this thing , though. The shobhads make one hell of a sniper rifle. I'll tell you what I know about these guys."
[ooc]Life or Physical Science +21 (instead of mysticism, the ability of a biohacker), take 20 (another ability of a biohacker), with a result of 41[ooc]
Tulgram listens to Amhesha, nods like an old professor to a young student, and then complements her words...
Amhesha evaluates good sniper positions while Tulgram peers knowingly as the fiery creatures.
Amhesha gives parting wisdom as she starts walking. "Plasma Elementals. If you have a cold weapon you've been using on the Azers, it'll work just as well on these guys," and with that, she walks about 461 feet away, distance no impediment to her rifle. She then gets out her tripod, humming a little in Protean as she does so. This is more like it.