Karina sends another bolt of electricity with an off-kilter note as she continues talking. "Hm. Seems to be harmed by electricity. That metallic shell certainly looks tough. If any of you have any way to shock the automaton, I would advise you use that."
Karina then raises her shield, her lute playing unimpeded thanks to her trusty familiar.
Watching the electricity dance across the automaton's body, "Fascinating, though, being shocked by electricity also works against me too,"
Then he will cast a spell, on Bahahk, giving him a rousing splash!
"'Moreso than against most creatures' is what I meant to say, Alpha." Karina says, correcting herself, as she realizes she fumbled her words a little.
Visiting the Foundry - Round 5 - concluded
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)
Ba'hahk continues attacking the drone with his magically created claws, but while his attack strikes the outside of the drone, it cannot penetrate its strange surface, and does no damage.
Zaria tries to line up a shot, but the small room is just too crowded, so frustrated, she rushes out through the front door of the small abode, and tries to line up a shot through the window instead.
Anri looks for divine guidance from the Inheritor then launches a series of strikes on the lone foe. On the first strike, his blade cuts through the metal hide and into the drone. A bright yellow spark flies from the wound and loud clunking sound is heard with every movement of the drone now. The champion's other two strikes fail to connect against the robot.
Alpha-47 conjures cold water from thin air, and dumps the liquid on Ba'hahk's head, temporarily buffing the fighting druid.
Finally, Karina and her lute fire another bolt of electrical energy at the drone, The blue flame leaps across the open flame, and encompasses the drone, which is covered with a blue electrical aura for a split second. It then lurches once, makes a loud popping sound, and cease to move or act.
End of Combat
With the drone stilled, you are surprised to see Val Baine emerge from under the broken desk in the small study. A little dusty for her ordeal, but none the worse for wear otherwise.
"Wasn't sure what I would do, but I am glad you came along when you did. That...thing. It just activated and started destroying the place."
Zaria unloads her crossbow, puts the bolt away for safety reasons, and then slings the weapon and returns to the house.
"Did It manage to hurt you when it activated? Do you need any healing?" Anri asks, offering a hand to help Val stand up.
Nodding in affirmation of a job well done, Alpha-47 sees that the human is okay, and moves to investigate the automaton.
"Fascinating construction. Though the good councilor may want to have her eyes checked if she thinks this fabrication and I bear a resemblance,"
He'll pick up the automaton and place it on the table, to get a better idea of what it is. Looking to the self proclaimed Val, asking "You said it just "activated"? Did you perhaps press a button or manipulate it unintentionally prior to its activation?"
"I'd place *good* money on the internal workings of those like you and those automata being similar -- both groups are highly concentrated in Numeria--" she then pauses when she sees Val, who she recognizes from the Foundry Tavern. "Oh! Val! The automaton didn't hurt you, did it? I didn't notice any of us getting dinged by the thing."
She then stows her shield, but notably not her lute, away for whenever combat might arise next. Luther gets a little worried when left alone, the familiar can fly if needed, but given the cover -- it does not do so often at all -- necessitating being carried
Val is a bit shaken but otherwise unharmed. "No, I am not hurt. I don't need healing. Just a moment to recover my wits." After she takes a few deep breaths, she turns to Alpha-47, "I did not touch or press anything. I had forgotten all about it even, what with my father's disappearance and all. I was just in the kitchen when I heard a noise in here. I came to check, and it was....alive! Last I saw, my father was carrying and putting it in the corner of this office here. It was clearly dead, or something, then. Like it is now."
She looks around at the office, at all of you, and recovers her wits a bit more. "Thank you for stopping it! I don't know what I would've done. The old desk couldn't have taken many more blows, and I hate to think of what would've happened then." She indicates the broken desk which is cracked and splintered in the middle and precariously close to falling in on itself.
Val continues, "My manners are also escaping me. I am Val, Val Baine. My father Khonnir is the owner of Foundry. But he's gone missing and...well its a long story. Either way, I can't thank you enough."
She recognizes Karina who has played in the tavern many times, and gives her an amicable hug. The rest she seems friendly enough. Val Baine is a young woman, probably in her early 20's with shoulder length blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She has a pair of matching but faded red-ink tattoos on her cheeks that seem to have been there for a while.
"I'm glad you are unharmed and we happened to already be on our way here. Speaking of your father, that's actually why we were coming to see you. We plan on going looking for him." Anri slowly approaches the now unmoving automaton. "Are we sure it will not wake up again?"
"Oh yeah, the five of us," Karina says as she pauses, "are going down to attempt to rescue your father. Dolga said you were opening to anyone who would be venturing down? You did say that, right?"
Val looks at Anri in amazement and then at Karina. She bursts into tears of surprise and is clearly overjoyed to hear that you might be venturing into the caves.
"I never thought..." she starts. "I didn't know how..." she can't seem to find the words, but finally she hugs Karina again and says. "Yes, yes of course. You can use the Foundry as a lodging or base or whatever. I'll cook for you, and watch your things or whatever you need...That's amazing. It's too good to be true. You can stay in the tavern and use the forge, and well...anything you need. It's not the most comfortable accommodations, but its free!" She smiles brightly, and you see hope rekindled in her bright blue eyes.
"Tell me your names, and how you know about my missing father, and all about yourselves!"
"I believe some of you may already know me," Karina says, "but I am Karina, local performer with my lute and viol. Practically every one in town aside from a few shut-ins know that your father's missing. I've been performing at the Copper Coin more than usual! If any of you do not recognize me, though, it's likely because I moved in months ago. I've also been working with Khonnir on trying to get a personal... mm, pet project I guess you could call it, to work. I have no estimate on how long it will take to work, but it's been the reason I have been performing at the Foundry more often than usual -- at least up until Khonnir's disappearance."
The orc steps forward, as he looks around and seems to be debating something before he gives a bow
"I hope this is the correct form of how you greet. My name is Ba'hahk. I am but a nomad and a wanderer. I come from the Wastes, here to seek for something. But if you will have me, my skills and the little magic I have, I offer for usage in finding who you are looking for"
Zaria has lived in Torch all her life, so Val should know her and has already mentioned her name to everyone else.
She stays quiet for now, letting people who are not natives talk. She just leans against a wall and listens for the moment.
Alpha-47 observed Val’s emotional outburst with a calm detachment, the concept of such exuberance still foreign to them. Their gaze shifted to Karina, then back to Val as she spoke, her offer generous, though the practicality of her words was what truly registered with Alpha.
“My designation is Alpha-47,” they began, their voice steady and precise. “I initially warned your father that Brigh had sent me here as a warning. He seemed to be the only one in town that would listen to me. I will seek your father with the others, together we will uncover this mystery.”
They hesitated for a fraction of a second, their eyes glinting with the faint hum of nanites beneath their skin. “I am still discovering who I am. But in this moment, I am here to assist you. Your offer of shelter is appreciated.”
There was no smile, no emotion in their expression, but Alpha-47’s intent was clear. The mission had become more than just about discovery—it now included Val’s hope.
When it comes time for him to introduce himself Anri bows slightly, his right hand touching his chest over his heart. "I am Anri, a dedicated servant of Iomedae. I've only been in town for a short time, but I came to investigate the torch going out. From the sound of it your father was also investigating this, and I would be failing in my duties if I did not try to help him. Especially if my suspicions are correct."
Val raises her hand in acknowledgment at Zaria. You know each other, but are not particularly close. She listens to the introductions of the others, and responds to each with a politely interested nod of the head.
Once the introductions are over, Val says "Thank you for your interest in our town, and my father in particularly. And for that...." she indicates the stilled drone, with a thumb over her shoulder. Well, it's almost lunch time now, I am happy to make you something to eat. What else do you plan to do today?"
Karina looks at the group around her quizzically, as she doesn't want to make a decision on behalf of the whole group. Wait... what *are* we doing next, would be better to see what everyone else thinks, she thinks to herself.
"We are wasting time. We still need to go to the Temple of Brigh to get the water-breathing items, and then get to the lake, and down into the tunnels under it."
Zaria also has a quizzical look, but hers is directed at Val.
Alpha-47’s gaze shifted from Karina to Val to Zaria, the hum of efficiency beneath their calm demeanor. “I agree, The Temple of Brigh is our next destination. We’ll need the water-breathing spell cast on us before we can descend into the lake and reach the tunnels.”
Their golden eyes settled back on the group. “Time is critical. We should move.”
Ah. Head there immediately, then Karina thinks to herself, before speaking aloud. "Yes. We were trying to get a spell of *Water Breathing* cast on us to heas to look for your father."
The temple of Brigh is a large building on the west side of Torch. Bronze windchimes and clockwork statues fill the domed entry portico, and you are met there by the temple's leader, the elderly priest Joram Kyte -- some of you met him before.
Kyte is wearing a leather apron filled with all manor of tools, measuring devices, and other tinkering items. he listens as you relate your purpose in visiting him. "Good, good! Yes, Brigh can help you breathe in the water for a period of time. Sure. It will last 1 hour after I finishing casting, so be sure you are ready. I can cover 5 people, and son anyone else will have to figure out another method of breathing if you enter the water." Kyte shows you into the small storefront at the side of the temple, which is filled with crafted items for sale. There are many weapons, armor, alchemical items, and even a few magical devices should you be inclined.
The cloaked orc nods his agreement. He could possibly turn into a smaller water breathing animal. But he would be quite useless in any form of predicament. So he silently waits for the spell to be cast
"Wait... merely one hour? So I assume we'll have to swim our way back out, under our own breath, then," Karina asks Joram, all the while otherwise standing almost silently.
As Alpha-47 entered the temple, their golden eyes swept over the clockwork statues and windchimes, a faint spark of reverence visible in their otherwise composed demeanor. This place was more than a sanctuary—it was a symbol of the ingenuity that Brigh embodied. The whirring gears, ticking mechanisms, and the precision in every crafted item resonated deeply with them.
When Joram Kyte spoke, Alpha-47 listened intently, their expression focused as the elderly priest outlined the limitations of the water-breathing spell. "Thank you, Priest Kyte," Alpha-47 replied, their voice offering the first hint of emotion, akin to reverence.
Alpha-47 gives a slight bow, a gesture of respect for a fellow devotee of the Clockwork Goddess.
"I suppose that all depends on you, and what you find below. You will also not have the spell on Khonnir Baine if you find him...or anyone else." he adds as an afterthought.
When most the group seems ready, he nods. "Very well," he says beginning to cast the breathing spell. He has a holy symbol of a metal mask which he dons, and then says a number of divine orisons and after a minute or so of casting, he sighs. "There it is done. Best of luck! The hopes of much of Torch go with you as does the favor of The Whisper in Bronze. Let me know how else I can be of service."
After leaving the Temple of Brigh, the party heads towards Weeping Pond, the site that Dolga told you about. She said Khonnir had found a series of human footprints that went into the pond, but didn't emerge. His curiosity led him to find an unknown underwater cavern somewhere along the pond.
As you arrive at the pond, which lies at the base of Black Hill, you find a placid-looking body of water set off from the surrounding area by a crescent-shaped escarpment. No vegetation grows alongside this pond, and the water carries the bitter stink of sulphur and other chemicals. The smell is strong enough to make your eyes water just by standing in the area for a little while.
AS you arrive on the side of the foul water, you don't see any caves or signs of activity.
"We're going to have to go into the water, I would think, to find the cave."
So, Zaria does just that. She heads into the pond and then dives down.
I need to ask about that rod later, seems fairly useful for utility spells, Karina thinks to herself as she tries to drown the horrible internal screaming of her familiar once Luther realizes that they're going in water. All the emotions she feels from the lute is utter revolt, and it kind of shows on her face.
She then begins detecting for magic in the area. "This is... likely useless given what I know about the ruins of Numeria -- that being they're *utterly* devoid of magic, but it helps my mind focus while casting. "
Alpha-47 stood at the edge of the Weeping Pond, their gaze sweeping over the still water. The acrid stench of sulfur and chemicals didn't seem to bother them, though they noted its effect on the others, especially Karina’s visible discomfort.
“The absence of magic does not invalidate your process,” Alpha-47 said, their voice calm but supportive. “Focus aids precision—whether in spellcasting or machinery.”
Alpha-47’s gaze briefly settled on Karina, “The journey beneath may be unpleasant, but it is necessary. We must be prepared for whatever lies below.”
Karina scans the immediate area for magical dweomers, maybe as a way to avoid getting in the smelly water, and maybe not. Either way, she does not find anything unexpectedly magical nearby.
Alpha-47 works the banks and edges of the noxious pool to see if he can find any sign of what Khonnir saw before, or similar tracks or clues, but the odorous water, and his unfamiliarity with the area make his search fruitless.
Zaria leaps into the water to search for the hidden entrance to the caves below. Since she knows what to look for, her search is perhaps easier than it would otherwise be. She knows the polluted water is not good for her, but will deal with that later. After swimming along the eastern bank she finds a cavern opening at the eastern edge of the water.
Zaria swims to the surface, lets everyone know where the cave is, and then goes back down.
Zaria bursts from the surface retching and choking, but she seems to have tolerated the foul waters better than some. She indicates she has found what appears to be the cave entrance and then dives back in.
Karina takes a look at her familiar lute, gulps and swallows, and then dives into the horrid water, Luther in hand... but she struggles immensely to swim.
Alpha-47 entered the water with precise movements, the cold liquid causing a ripple across their synthetic skin. The nanites within their body adjusted, ensuring that their systems remained functional even as the sulfurous water lapped against them. They watched as Zaria moved ahead, her form cutting cleanly through the pond, and attempted to follow her movements.
Ba'hahk patiently waits for the scouts to return. As he waits out on the shore. The water does seem rather unpleasant. But for now there was no need to worry. Still. He looked around trying to make sure he doesn't miss any sign of distress
Volume I - Fires of Creation
Part 2 - Black Hill Caves
Setting: Numeria, the small village of Torch set beside Black Hill among the Numerian Plains, along the water's edge of Weeping Pond.
Date: 19 Lamashan 4714, Oathday, early afternoon
After alerting the others to the location of what appears to be an underwater cave entrance, Zaria gulps another breath of air and dives for the opening. She struggles more to swim underwater, and the smell and taste of the tainted water is bitter in her mouth, and stings her eyes but she manages to re-locate the opening, and pull herself through the water to the opening. After the opening there is a narrow water-filled tunnel that is approximately 30' long. Fortunately, the water-breathing works well and the ranger makes the swim in a casual style. Slowly the passage turns slightly upward, and there is air above the water.
Pulling herself to the surface, Zaria takes a breath of air again, and finds it stinks of mold and vinegar. It seems breathable, if disagreeable. The space above the water is pitch-dark with no visible light showing at all. Dampness hangs in the air of the cave condensing into heavy moisture on the slick, stone walls. The water winds around to a soot-scared beach. A 5' ledge which seems to sport several stalagmites rises to the east.
Zaria is able to fight off the effects of the tainted water, and feels ill, but is not sickened.
Still in the water, Alpha-47 struggles to make an headway in the toxic water, and finds himself overcome by the noxiousness. His eyes and throat burn, and his stomach convulses several times. Karina does not feel sick, but she cannot get much momentum with her gear weighing her down in the pond, she starts struggling just to stay afloat.
Ba'hahk waits on the bank still.
Anri dives into the water, and cuts through towards the cave opening, like he was born to it, not slowed or dragged down by weapons and armor. He gets to the opening, and emerges beside Zaria, puffing for breath, but seemingly unaffected by the toxic pond water. Unfortunately, when Anri arrives, he can see only absolute blackness. "Uh, its really dark in here," he says.
Karina finally makes it to the other side of the cave, gasping for air -- more dramatically than is necessary -- as the water in her lute falls out gradually. "And so the muses said, let there be light," she singsongs as she plucks a few silent notes on her familiar, casting Light to allow everyone in the room to see.
Zaria takes the time where she is waiting for the others to unsling her crossbow and reload it, and then she stands guard.
The water where Zaria is standing is probably mid-thigh deep while Anri is up to his waist. Soon Karina splashes into the tunnel as well, illuminating the space so everyone can see. The bright light stretches 20' from her, and dim light for another 20', which is almost all the chamber. You can all see the embankment, about 5' high off the shallow beach, which is covered with scorch marks. To the north, the water continues around a corner to the east.
As Zaria loads her crossbow, and Anri gets his sword and shield in place, four sources of bright light pop up on the edge of the embankment, in the water around the corner, and on the beach. Looking closer you can see the light comes from a series of three foot long beetles that have glowing organs in their abdomens. The beetles scuttle hurriedly and aggressively toward the light source and the sound of newcomers.
Entry Cavern - Round 1
26 Green Beetle
26 Red Beetle
25 Ba'hahk (outside on the shore)
24 Zaria
16 Karina
15 Yellow Beetle
13 Blue Beetle
11 Alpha-47 (sickened, in the water)
6 Anri
From atop the escarpment, Green Beetle flies ponderously, landing in the water near Zaria, and taking a bite at the ranger. The first mandible strike catches Zaria off-guard and scores a massive hit but the second misses. Red Beetle also crawls hungrily into the fray, striking at Zaria once
critical
miss
10 dmg total
hit
The beetles bite deeply into Zaria, but she just grunts stoically.
She then steps back, lines up a shot, and fires.