Alpha-47 stood silently for a moment, considering Dolga’s words. Their eyes flickered slightly as they processed the gravity of the situation—both the material reward and the greater impact of the Torch's flame being extinguished. The tribute due to the Technic League, the looming hardship for the town, the mysteries beneath the pond... there was much at stake here.
They met Dolga’s gaze, their voice calm but resolute. “I will join you Anri, this task is too difficult to undertake alone. Khonnir is too important to this town, and if there is knowledge to be gained from what lies below, then it is a task worth pursuing.”
Karina enthusiastically nods, "Knowledge could be gained by finding and reviving Khonnir anyways, given how knowledgeable of a man he's proven to be. So, there's no reason to not head down is service of goddess and township! I shall join you as well, it'd be suicidal to attempt this alone, and *someone* needs to go!"
Karina is prepared but also nervous, as she's never had to engage in any form of combat whole keeping her ruse up, but to her right now keeping the ruse wasn't that important -- saving Khonnir was. All she had to do is hold on to Luther, and no one would guess.
Zaria has been leaning against the back wall of the room, letting others ask the questions that they have. She's never been much of a question person herself. She nods to Dolga when asked if she's going, not that that was ever in doubt.
A big smile creases the wrinkled face of old Dolga. "Well, that's settled then. If you're workin' for the Council now, you should take these..." She hands you each a formally written document that calls for the merchants of Torch to offer a 20% discount to the bearer. "I wish it were more, but times is tough, as I've related. This should let y'all to get supplies or gear you'll need to make it down below. Also, Val, Khonnir's adopted daughter, has offered her father's tavern, Foundry, which is closed now, as a base of operations for anyone takin' up the job of findin' her dad. Go see here for more details. Last, the openin' to the caves at Weepin' Pond is flooded. You'll need to swim a bit to get up inside. Joram Kyte has agreed to grant y'all a miracle that will allow you to breathe unner water for mite bit, free of charge of course. Joram is at the temple of Brigh or at Crowfeather Palace when you're good and ready to go."
She stands up from her chair, grabs her hammer from the wall, and turns to you with a burning fire in her eyes. "I'd go with you and get him my self, as I said, but instead I'll sit here like an old woman waitin' and worryin'. Bring Khonnir back, if he's dead, use the scroll to revive him. Torch needs him, and y'all are the only ones left to make a fair attempt. Blessings of Brigh upon you all."
"This is all very generous, Dolga, thank you. We shall do everything we can to bring Khonnir back safe and sound." Anri graciously takes the document with a bow and places a reassuring hand on the older woman's. "I believe I have everything I need, but if any of you need to go gather any supplies before we head out, please feel free."
The cloaked orc shakes his head, and again in his gruff voice states
"I don't have anything at the moment that I need. Everything I own is already with me."
"I have my lute, and my Viol, and that's enough for a weak bard, no?" Karina singsongs, feeling confident in her gear selection for the moment.
Alpha-47 stepped forward, nodding appreciatively toward Dolga. "Thank you for the assistance you've provided, Councilor Freddert. Every piece of information and aid will help in the journey ahead."
They paused for a moment, their eyes scanning the room before continuing. "Before we head to the water pool, I suggest we visit Val and the automaton Khonnir recovered from his initial trip. Understanding more about this construct may give us an edge, or at least insight into what awaits us below. It could provide valuable knowledge about the skymetal structure or any other defenses we may encounter."
Turning to the rest of the group, Alpha added, "Time is of the essence, but this could be our best chance to prepare fully before we descend." They straightened their shoulders, ready to take the next step. "Shall we?"
Anri nods at Alpha-47. "You make a strong argument. Any extra information we can gain before heading in will increase our chances of success; or, at the very least, coming back alive. Do any of you have any prior knowledge or experience with automatons that may prove helpful?"
Karina nods as well, "I agree, any information we gain can help us, so we should go and examine the automaton. As for your question Anri, I do know they're nonmagical -- otherwise they would just be any other construct -- but that's about it."
Dolga raises a hand in farewell as the group exits, nominally headed to visit Val Baine and the newly found automaton at Foundry. The walk is most of the way across town, where the scent of souring garbage is noticeably present.
Foundry Tavern was one of Torch's most popular venues, but with the torch out, Khonnir Baine missing, and the tavern closed, townsfolk have little reason to celebrate or frequent this place. The premises is a combination of three separate structures. First is peaked roof foundry complete with working forge and bellows. There is a 10' gap above the walls before the thatched roof which stands 25' off the ground. This venting allows the heat to escape and fresh air for the bellows to enter. Currently, the fires are banked and the work area is closed.
Next to the forge stands a wooden structure with many mullioned windows. This is the tavern which is just one story, with a long front porch wrapped around the south and west sides. It is approximately 50x50' with a brick chimney rising out of the center. Normally the sounds of music and revelry can be heard from the road, but today the place is quiet and deserted.
Behind the two businesses, stands a modest but comfortable home where Khonnir lives with his adopted daughter Val. The home is built from cut and mortared stone and is about 50'25' with the front door on the east side, and another exterior door on the south.
As you approach the Foundry, a shrill and unexpected shriek fills the air, coming from the stone building at the back of the property.
Visiting the Foundry - Round 1
26 Zaria
23 Anri
22 Alpha-47
20 Ba'hahk
6 Karina
6 ???
Alpha-47 turns towards the shrill shriek, "That doesn't register as sounds of pleasure, someone may be in danger," Moving forward swiftly, one hand on his holy symbol of Brigh, the other beginning to softly glow with holy light.
Anri draws his sword and begins to move toward the direction of the shriek. "Lady of Valor, help me to protect the innocent. We have to help!"
Ba'hahk was off with flash as he hears the screams. His shield in hand as he goes towards the screams. He wasn't one to not help, despite his looks and the fact he often gets run off, helping he would do no matter what
Zaria is more cautious.
She pulls her crossbow off her back, loads it, and then moves west along the side of the building.
Karina moves closer to the soure of the screaming, hoping to investigate whatever is going on.
Visiting the Foundry - Round 1 - concluded
All the group moves closer to the home, which seems to be where the scream emanated from. Zaria takes a different tack than the others, loading her weapon and moving west instead of north, she seems to be planning to circle the building.
From inside, you hear a crashing, splintering sound, but no more scream or cry.
End of Round 1
Visiting the Foundry - Round 2
26 Zaria (loaded crossbow in hand)
23 Anri
22 Alpha-47
20 Ba'hahk
6 Karina
6 ???
Karina continues running on her path to the door, drawing Luther her lute out along the way, sending a slight shiver down her spine as she jolts at the permanently-cold familiar's... well, chilliness. She always keeps Luther her lute close to her side for this reason, to not raise any suspicion about the permanently-chilly wood.
Alpha-47 splits off from Karina, heading towards the other door, covering the other exit. The scream still echoed faintly in their head as they approached the entrance, their internal systems running calculations for the best approach. Without hesitation, they reached the door and raised their voice, clear and unwavering: "Please remain calm. Assistance is imminent. We will neutralize any hostile entity. If you are hurt, stay where you are and wait,"
Visiting the Foundry - Round 2 - continued
Karina takes out her loot as she moves around the house to the southern door. Alpha-47 stays headed to the western door, arriving jsut outside it. He calls into the house, but there is no answer.
Zaria looks through the window she is by and into the foundry.
If she does not see anything within, she keeps moving.
The forge and the foundry both appear to be empty with nothing unusual happening inside them as Zaria peeks in the window as she goes by. She is able to see Karina at the door to the residence directly north of her by about 50'.
Sword drawn and wishing he had time to don his shield, Anri continues to spring toward the building to catch up to his allies and hopefully help whoever is screaming.
Visiting the Foundry - Round 2 - concluded
The heroes continue to rush towards the stone home at the rear of the property. Zaria looks into the forge and the tavern, but neither appear to show any unusual signs. Karina takes out her lute and nears the front door of the house. Ba'hahk gets to one of the western windows and looks inside.
From inside the house, another loud smack and splintering sound is heard.
End of round 2
Visiting the Foundry - Round 3
26 Zaria (loaded crossbow in hand)
23 Anri (sword in hand; shield not raised)
22 Alpha-47
20 Ba'hahk
6 Karina (lute in hand)
6 ???
Alpha-47 paused at the door, assessing the situation. With a careful, mechanical motion, they reached out and tested the handle. Their voice, calm but authoritative, echoed in the tense silence:
"Attempting entry. Stand by."
He turned the handle cautiously, ready for any resistance or threat on the other side.
"Also entering! Guess we'll converge on wherever this thing causing ruckus is," Karina says as she strides up to the door... opens it, then moves forward to another door to open it.
Zaria moves rapidly up, and calls out to Karina "I'm behind you."
Anri moves to the door behind Zaria and prepares in enter the building
Visiting the Foundry - Round 3 - continued
The knob to the exterior door moves easily in Alpha-47's hand. It does not appear to be locked.
Karina pushes open the southern door and finds a neat and tidy home with a a pair of adjacent bedchambers with doors open, and a door at the end of a short hall that is closed. She stands next to this door, while Zaria and Anri catch up to be slightly behind her.
Alpha-47 finishes opening the door, stepping inside and analyzes the scene, looking for anything that would indicate danger.
"We are here to help, reveal your location to receive assistance," he shouts in a calm, measured voice.
He'll run through the room, presumably not seeing anything, ending up in the small hallway.
Visiting the Foundry - Round 3 - concluded
Alpha-47 enters the house, quickly scanning the common room. Not seeing anything amiss, he continues into the small hall where two doors stand on opposite ends of the house.
From the window, Ba'hahk calls out, "There is...something in that rom. Don't know what it is, but it's going berserk and breaking things. Looks like a construct of some kind." He then follows the android into the house through the open door. He gets past Alpha, and next to the final doorway, raising his shield as readies to fling open the door.
There is still no sign of Val or any other inhabitants (at least the flesh and blood kind).
From inside the small room, everyone can now hear what sounds like the grinding of unlubricated metal on metal, a squeal as of poorly working hydraulics, and another smashing, splintering sounds as something heavy strikes something wooden.
End of Round 3
Visiting the Foundry - Round 4
26 Zaria (loaded crossbow in hand)
23 Anri (sword in hand; shield not raised)
22 Alpha-47
20 Ba'hahk (shield raised)
6 Karina (lute in hand)
6 Repair Drone
Alpha-47, strides up to the door, encountering a jam of traffic in the hallway, he slips past Ba'hahk and into the corner of the room, seeing the rampaging automaton.
"Target Acquired. Is that what I look like? I see no resemblance,"
Alpha-47 casts needle darts, grabbing 3 small pieces of metal from his belt and launching them with a magical command.
"You may resemble them more on the inside than you would like, Alpha, but otherwise I'm in agreement -- you two look *nothing alike*" Karina says, as she begins serenly strumming at Luther her lute. She then, very suddenly, plucks a singular, very-obviously wrong note as electricity sparks from the head of the lute towards the creature.
Zaria is a little surprised that there is no attempt to speak to the creature given that there are, as far as she can tell, two worshippers of Brigh in the little group, but she lines up her shot, takes it, and reloads.
for Piercing and Precision damage.
Ba'hahk moves in, as his hand comes from beneath his cloak, an animalistic claw begins to form as he takes a swipe at the automaton
Seeing his companions engaging the strange construct, Anri moves into the room to assist. Striding in, he makes his way next to Ba'hahk and strikes the mechanical creature.
Slashing Damage
Visiting the Foundry - Round 4 - concluded
Alpha-47 throws open the door of the small den, and steps inside. He sees a figure with a shell of grey and white substances It stands, on 3 spider-like legs, about 5' tall and has the vague shape (torso, arms, and head). As the door opens, the torso spins around almost 180 degrees to face the intruders. A single brilliant red eye gleams from the head area and a pair of four-fingered arms stand ready. It is clear that the drone here has been smashing up the place. A ruined table, a desk smashed in half, and a splintered windowsill are within easy arms reach. Alpha gives himself a blessing from Brigh, hopefully for more success should it come to an attack.
With both doors open, Karina is able to spy the berserk drone, and launches an electrical bolt at it. The drone cannot avoid the magical effect, but unexpectedly to Karina, the small spark covers the entire drone in blue electrical energy for a second or two, leaving the target smoking in several places, the damage clearly more than expected.
From farther down the hall, Zaria fires around Karina at the target. Her shot is tricky, and with her allies in the way, it flies wide of the mark, missing.
Anri and Ba'hahk flood the room with melee and melee spell attacks. Anri's first and his first swing clangs harmlessly off the robot's synthetic hide. Ba'hahk has more success with the magically generated claw protruding from his arm. The claws rip across the metal skin of the drone with a loud screech, wounding it but not as badly as the druid expected. No blood flows from the wound either.
The drone then raises its metallic arms and makes slamming attacks, first at Ba'hahk and then at Anri. Neither attack seems well coordinated or especially well aimed, and as it moves the arms, a loud grinding noise is heard from inside the machine. Both attacks miss.
End of Round 1
Visiting the Foundry - Round 5
26 Zaria (loaded crossbow in hand; hunted prey active)
23 Anri (sword in hand; shield not raised)
22 Alpha-47 (guidance expires at the start of your turn)
20 Ba'hahk (shield raised)
6 Karina (lute in hand)
6 Repair Drone (10hp dmg)
"What are you?" the orc growls in frustration as all these things seem to have been going on around this strange creature
He doesn't wait for an answer though, as yet again the claw grows from his arms and hand, striking again at the saprking creature, then raising his shield in preparation of a retaliatory attack
Zaria decides not to try and shoot past the people crowding the thing in the office, and instead moves through the house and outside to try and get a shot through the window at it.
Anri grunts as his blade clangs harmlessly against the drone. He whispers a silent and quick prayer to Iomedae, asking the goddess to help guide his blade, and he unleashes a flurry of attacks on the creature.
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