Issuma's page

Issuma holds up on of her four hands as Kricker stirs the band into action. She silently peers around in them middle distance and then points out strange markings on the ground which look like they were made by a giant machine. "These tracks came from the Annihilators. There were two. We saw one destroyed at the Scar's entrance. Fortunately, I do not see the other. Let us enter quickly."

Drahlneep leads into a narrow passage covered in slimy algae. After a short way it widens into a small chamber. A set of six humanoid ribcages, stained red by ragged scraps of clinging meat and hanging from cords like a grisly row of unlit chandeliers, adorn the ceiling of this widened tunnel. The unmistakable odor of rotting flesh mingles with the fetid stink of the soupy swamp water covering the cave passage’s floor. The passage Y's ahead.

Well, lets try the Northern Cave then. Issuma, do you want to accompany us for this? There may be an opportunity for revenge against your captors.

"Yes. I would avenge myself and the others they have used for their foul experiments. I am prepared if you are ready."

Issuma looks closely and makes a chuckling sound. "Well, I suppose the X's mark where they were bound. I know these places. Here, the northern spot in the mountain, this is the cave where I was held captive by the Dark Ones. The southern mark in the swamp, I have only seen it from a distance because it gives a sickly glow and the creatures around it are blighted. I thought it best to avoid it."

Issuma nods. "May I see the map? I may be able to tell where he was headed."

Issuma listens to the kobold's plans and offers advice. "The valley narrows ahead. This may make it easier to find their tracks since the only passage is a narrow forested band between the river and cliff. I will stay back here and watch in case you miss them and they return this way."

"I would like to spy on the rogues from a distance, without challenging them. Can that be done safely?"

"I think that you may safely go as far as the first cave. It holds the scrap material brought back by the scavengers. There are guards further within though."

Issuma slips through a narrow fissure between the cave columns on the right side. The kobolds easily follow the alien through a narrow passage that emerges into at low round cave with some sort of technological weapon on the floor in the center of the room. "Do not touch it," Issuma warns. "It is a trap."

She continues down the passage after walking a respectful distance around the device. The passage ends in a larger chamber with a ten-foot high ceiling and a pile of furs. There is a sealed container that Issuma opens to reveal jerky and dried mushrooms. A small pool collects water in a corner before draining away through a crack. Issuma offers her companions some food water and blanket to rest in the cool cave.

Issuma shakes her head. "The robots were built to serve the Androffans. As far as I know though, none of that race survive. Many robots still seek to follow the last commands given them though. Some of the Technic League have learned how to command robots they have discovered, it is true, but their control seems incomplete."

"Other robots, much like the androids, seem to have taken control of their own destiny. Perhaps rogue is the wrong word. This one seems to wish to create its own realm by slowly assembling it from the scavenged parts that its android followers bring it. It is a slow process, but time means little to the machines."

The tall alien inspects the marks and replies in Androffan. "These are drag marks from the scrap and equipment scavenged by the androids of the Machine Caves. My hideout is beyond a narrow crack in the east wall of the entry cave. The main cave system to the west has been the domain of rogue robots since before I escaped and found this place. They seem to ignore me so long as I do not intrude on their caves."

The Kasathan watches the plant burn a moment and then notes that maybe the Machine Cave is still safe if the Moonflower has been lurking on the path for a while. She moves forward taking the lead.

Issuma nods. "It is early still, but I have not been back in some time and it might be a good idea to make sure that it is still safe."

Issuma crosses one pair of arms and adjusts her mask with the other pair as she thinks. " I am not certain. Your companion thought that they might be looking for a lost Technic League explorer named Therace. It didn't sound like they had a good idea where he was. He may have been captured by the Dark Ones or fallen to some other danger of the Scar. We just need to keep searching for their trail."

"I don't know that day or night matter to them or even if they sleep. I know that they do not need light to see. As for travel, they seem content to stay in their lairs and have their servants travel for them."

Issuma seems pleased that the kobolds have listened to her warning. She moves with them up the canyon for a ways. After a while, she stops and explains what is ahead. "The first branch canyon is on the right. The Machine Cave is there. The Dark Ones pay it no mind and it is a safe place to rest. After that there are two side canyons opposite each other. The Dark Ones lair to the right and the left branch is filled with a blighted swamp."

Perrik is certain that the humans'cause of death was brain extraction. He messes with the Annihilator some and is rewarded by a bit of smoke and an ominous glow from the power core. The brightness fluctuates wildly and Issuma immediately glances over and shakes her head. "That is not good. I do not have a radiation meter, but I think we should leave immediately."

The Kasathan raises her for arms slightly in a shrug. She steps off to the side allowing Perrik to investigate if he wishes.

Issuma gazes into the darkness up the valley. "Possibly. Though it may be out scavenging instead of guarding the Dark Ones. It might be a good time to attack them. I was lucky enough to find the bomb in the Machine Caves, but I do not expect that I will get that chance again."

"Yes, they are called Annihilators. The Dark Ones have somehow taken control of two of them and use them to hunt new victims... or recapture those that escape. I was able to destroy this one with an EMP bomb. I am afraid it is useless now, Perrik. None of its components will ever work again."

The Kasathan's gaze follows the direction that Reep's finger is pointing and she speaks in Common. "Is he saying that they've gone that way? That is the wrong direction if they were retreating. That is where I come from, the Scar of the Spider."

Issuma shakes her head. "I think that it may be better to have one set of eyes on the town while you are in the mines. If something unexpected happens, I can try and warn you. Besides, you are far less noticeable and more experienced in that environment. I would only hinder you. I wish you luck. I will wait here."

Isuma ponders. "The machine men will not sleep, but maybe we could surprise the slavers before dawn as you say. I think it will be more dangerous for you attacking during the day, though I like the idea of their forces being spread out then. Another option is to sneak inside the mine to set up an ambush there."