Yambul is pretty sure the slaves where human, or at least human like the ones in the space ships. As the other creatures, they were strange aberrations Rhoreen cannot call out, nothing from this world, which makes them pretty close to the one you just slaughter in the bridge of the wrecked ship.
As you explain yourselves, Yambul notices another tap on his shoulder coming from behind the southern bars, but this time he feels his will endured the mental assault.
A voice storms then your mind, and although the words are in a strange language, you somehow clearly understand the meaning Resistance is futile, your memories will soon reach the Dark Tapestry. The victory of the Dominion of the Black is closing up. Your brains will soon feed our prole.
You notice a presence next to Yambul, past the southern bars.
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Chaance readies her own litany of questions for Yambul, when the Voice hits her between her own eyes, and her throat tightens, and she inhales loudly through her nostrils, because she has to breathe in order to run.
"Rhu-Chalik."
The elf is torn mightily between swiftly retreating, and quickly hunting the alien conduit down, and securing it for Iadara.
"It's watching us."
She wasn't prepared to only hear a Rhu-Chalik. The thought of actually seeing one was terrifying enough, but that would be even footing with the terrible thing. It had advantage. And it's already assaulted Yambul psychically.
Chaance's voice rises from whisper to hardly confident. "If we're in the presence of a Rhu-Chalik, know that its tendrils are pain incarnate, that once it knows your thoughts, you're its blank canvas for painting horrors upon your mind. And if you're knocked unconscious, it will map your mind, and transmit it through the Void, and to its masters in the Dominion..."
The elf breathes deeply, then addresses the Voice.
"You are unwelcome, Parasite. If you dare to show yourself, we will dissect you alive. And we won't stop until your Voice is permanently silenced. You cannot understand mercy, and we will not teach it to you."
Resistance is futile, your memories will soon reach the Dark Tapestry. The victory of the Dominion of the Black is closing up. Your brains will soon feed our prole.
Rhoreen listens to Chaance's words and warning, mixed with bravado.
Wow. I'm not sure what to add to that.
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Chaance had mentioned the creatures of the Dominion before, but not until now so eloquently described their fiendish traits. They seemed, frankly, pretty terrifying. Worse, it seemed they could stay invisible. She whispers to Rhor "Any chance you could throw a glitterdust in that cell? If we can see it, we can do something more than just suffer it's touch."
Zzvkgrogk sighs in boredom, shuffling his boots in the sand dusted dish floors.
”What?!” he cries at the disembodied what-have-yous that are definitely not bugs. ” So, you want us to give up and become your slaves?! HA! So, we ARE a threat! Well, guess what invisible gasbags, this ugly dish is going down, and you with it! If you were going to stop us, you would have done it by now. You have nothing, and you will have even less when we are done. Say ‘bye’ now. We’ll be on our way, and so be you – on your way – forever and gone from this world.”
He sprinkles some holy water around Yambul and the cell spaces, then prods Yambul forward. Unless of course, there is a glitter-bomb and target to be had.
Brigh, protect us.
”Oh, by the way, we already killed your brain sucking abomination.”
5 first, 3 Second
(1st)
(1st) True Strike
(1st) Identify
(1st) Identify
(1st) Heightened awareness
(2nd) Bullet Shield
(2nd) Barkskin
(2nd) Invisibility
Mutagen (Dex +4, Wis -2)
Can use craft (alchemy) to identify potions as if using Detect Magic
Hits: 28/28 ()
AC 16/ 16 (16), touch 14 (+3 dex, +1 racial), flat-footed 13 (+2 armor, +1 racial)
Brown nanite hypogun charges: 7/10
Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 19/50
Radiation Detector (6/10 charges)
Neraplast Armor Charges: 18/24
Laser Pistol (Charges): 6/10
Batteries Charged): 11/21
Empty Battieries: 3 /21
Zzvkgrogk Special (Alchemical Ordinance): 4 / 8
"Any chance you could throw a glitterdust in that cell? If we can see it, we can do something more than just suffer it's touch."
"Yes, I suppose I could...if you think it's there," Rhoreen answers. "Gimme a moment."
Rhoreen steps back from the vicinity and encourages others to do the same, lest they be dusted.
In the end, she will 'dust the area.
The group gets altered by the attempts of intercultural communication and quickly decide they do not want to be part of this.
Zzvkgrogk prepares some holy water, but he cannot see where exactly the enemy is.
While Rhoreen positions herself and starts casting, Yambul feels another sharing attempt.
Then, the glitterdust sprinkles all the area and a small misshapen ovoid with thin tendrils and a lidless eye, a war-ovoid!
Despite you can only see its shape, Chaance confirms this is one of the mysterious creatures of the black beyond the elves know as a Rhu-Chalik.
Round 1, Init 18
"Oh! I didn't think we'd actually see it!" Rhoreen gasps as she fires her wand at the monster.
"zzvkgrogk!"
force damage (15/50 left)
HP: 26/26
AC: 12/12/10 (+4 w/Mage Armor) F+3, R+4, W+6
Open spell slots:
Left Hand: nothing
Right Hand: Wand of MM
Ring of Punchery: 14/17
Lighten Up: 0/1 used
Rod of Extend, lesser: 2/3 used
[ dice]1d20+4[/dice] ranged to hit;
[ dice]1d4-1[/dice] blunt damage
Phasing: The drinker gains the ability to become incorporeal for 1d4 rounds as a swift action, but takes 1 point of Con damage when he does so. Phasing can be extended as a free action by taking 1 additional point of Con damage. Coming out of phase inside a solid object is instantly fatal.
She casts a very simple spell at Arturo.
”I can do it myself!!”
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] CLW
"zzvkgrogk!"
force damage (23/50 left)
Weapon Equipped = Falchion
Conditions = None
Falchion: Attack: 5 BAB +4 Str +1 Focus +1 MW (-2 PA) Damage: +6 Str (+6 PA) Crit: 18-20x2 DR: Adamantine
Chef’s knife: Attack: 5 BAB +1 MW +4 Str / +2 Dex Damage: +4 Crit: 19-20x2 Range: 10’
Studied: (Rhu-Chalik) (mv/im; +2 att, dam, bluff, knowledge, perception, sense motive, survival)
Spell Like (1/1d, st, Prestidigitation cl1)
Spell Like (1 time, st, Cure Serious Wounds cl5)
- - -
"You saw what? Were you awake when this happened? You mean it happened just now?" Rhoreen questions Yambul on what he saw, and tries to piece what the creatures were.
”Yeah, it happened just now. Totally now.”
A voice storms then your mind, and although the words are in a strange language, you somehow clearly understand the meaning.
”Whoah. I think the creature is still here, and trying to mess with me. It just said, Resistance is futile, your memories will soon reach the Dark Tapestry. The victory of the Dominion of the Black is closing up. Your brains will soon feed our prole.”
Chaance's voice rises from whisper to hardly confident. "If we're in the presence of a Rhu-Chalik, know that its tendrils are pain incarnate, that once it knows your thoughts, you're its blank canvas for painting horrors upon your mind. And if you're knocked unconscious, it will map your mind, and transmit it through the Void, and to its masters in the Dominion..."
”No, I don’t like that at all. Not. At. All.” he swings at the darkness a few times feebly trying to find it.
"Any chance you could throw a glitterdust in that cell? If we can see it, we can do something more than just suffer it's touch."
In the end, she will 'dust the area.
He certainly resists mental intrusion by the creature, or tries to…
But he’s been bombarded and his defenses are low. If he’s not overwhelmed by whatever has just happened, Yambul will study the creature, and stab it through the bars. Then he’ll 5’ step to give Rüha a straight shot (if she delays).
(studied)
(studied)
He has some trouble with the bars however, and struggles to find purchase.
Rūha ducks forward, then jabs out through the bars to strike at the floating orb. Though she's no expert on this particular species, she reasons that any creature must have some sensory organs, and the white orb on the creature's underside seems the best bet.
You suddenly remember, although this is probably not your own memory, a long room with walls all covered with crocodilian hide and swarming with tiny points of light that flit back and forth between two slowly pulsing pillars of strange metal.
Dozens of pale green spheres sit on these pillars, each containing a bubbling pale green fluid in which bobs a humanoid brain. When the points of light touch a pillar, their color grows brighter, and when that point of light flies back to the walls, the color dims once again.
An unknown kasatha is fighting in the middle of the room a glistening brain with short legs that jumps into her mouth and enters through. The kasatha shakes and crashes to the floor. After a few seconds the four armed humanoid stands up again and smiles.
Rhoreen's force missiles strike true bursting on the war-orb.
Yambul is quick to slash with his falchion, but only to crash the blade against the bars in front.
Rūha punches the orb through the bars, leaving it stun, flying in the air.
Zzvkgrogk does something heroic!
The Rhu-Chalik is frozen, stunned.
Round 2, Init 18
"Good blow, Ruha!" Rhoreen gasps as she fires her wand at the monster.
"zzvkgrogk!"
force damage (14/50 left)
HP: 26/26
AC: 12/12/10 (+4 w/Mage Armor) F+3, R+4, W+6
Open spell slots:
Left Hand: nothing
Right Hand: Wand of MM
Ring of Punchery: 14/17
Lighten Up: 0/1 used
Rod of Extend, lesser: 2/3 used
[ dice]1d20+4[/dice] ranged to hit;
[ dice]1d4-1[/dice] blunt damage
Phasing: The drinker gains the ability to become incorporeal for 1d4 rounds as a swift action, but takes 1 point of Con damage when he does so. Phasing can be extended as a free action by taking 1 additional point of Con damage. Coming out of phase inside a solid object is instantly fatal.
She casts a very simple spell at Arturo.
”I can do it myself!!”
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] CLW
"zzvkgrogk!"
force damage (23/50 left)
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”Can’t we just collapse this place in on these parasites?!” Zzvkgrogk cries, frightened and annoyed by the war orb. He pulls out his laser pistol and takes careful aim.
For
For
For
Were those its ears my laser just boxed?
5 first, 3 Second
(1st)
(1st) True Strike
(1st) Identify
(1st) Identify
(1st) Heightened awareness
(2nd) Bullet Shield
(2nd) Barkskin
(2nd) Invisibility
Mutagen (Dex +4, Wis -2)
Can use craft (alchemy) to identify potions as if using Detect Magic
Hits: 28/28 ()
AC 16/ 16 (16), touch 14 (+3 dex, +1 racial), flat-footed 13 (+2 armor, +1 racial)
Brown nanite hypogun charges: 7/10
Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 19/50
Radiation Detector (6/10 charges)
Neraplast Armor Charges: 18/24
Laser Pistol (Charges): 4/10
Batteries Charged): 11/21
Empty Battieries: 3 /21
Zzvkgrogk Special (Alchemical Ordinance): 7 / 8
Following up on Zzvkgrogk's brilliant laser, assuming the creature is still kicking after everyone's strikes, Rūha delivers another smooth jab. She aims for the same spot as before.
Weapon Equipped = Falchion
Conditions = None
Falchion: Attack: 5 BAB +4 Str +1 Focus +1 MW (-2 PA) Damage: +6 Str (+6 PA) Crit: 18-20x2 DR: Adamantine
Chef’s knife: Attack: 5 BAB +1 MW +4 Str / +2 Dex Damage: +4 Crit: 19-20x2 Range: 10’
Studied: (Rhu-Chalik) (mv/im; +2 att, dam, bluff, knowledge, perception, sense motive, survival)
Spell Like (1/1d, st, Prestidigitation cl1)
Spell Like (1 time, st, Cure Serious Wounds cl5)
- - -
Yambul, distinctly smelling the smell of cooked chicken, or rhu-chalik, does what he can through the bars trying to finish it - if it’s not already done.
(studied, cover)
(studied)
Yambul can't quite get the visions out of his head as he stabs poorly.
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AC = 17
HP = 34/34
Weapon Equipped = Tuilindo
Condition(s) = Scared outta her gourd
Chaance's mouth gapes as she watches Roo reach through the bars to connect physically with the Rhu-Chalik, about to scream her fear for the kasatha to the heavens, until it appears she's connected so well, the aberration is frozen for a moment. A moment the elf seizes to slip past Yambul, while studying the tendrilled thing up close and personal, the bars little comfort to something just touched, and about to touch back.
"Be careful of its touch! Roo, you should totally keep it frozen like that, that was magnificent!"
She can't rip her gaze away from it. It's right there. One of the raindrops... It needs to stop moving. It needs to become inanimate, permanently. "Don't obliterate it. I mean, we need to see it destroyed, but it must retain its form. It must be preserved so others might see it, might touch it. It's the only way some will come to understand the horror they so desperately ignore at their own peril." When Zzvkgrogk burns it, she is content with it, as the orb still seems recognizable.
Rhoreen's force missiles reliably strike on the war-orb.
Zzvkgrogk shots with a very bad angle and through cover, but incredibly bursts a couple of laser beams on the ovoid burning it hard!
Rūha and Yambul follow on profiting the stunned condition and deliver strikes through the bars.
Chaance advances towards the group, horrified the group dares to fight such a terrible creature.
Recovering from the stun, you heard again in your heads Monsters, you will be reported to the Dominion of the Black. You are done!
Then the creature retreats, flying away from the bars and disappearing into the darkness of the cave at the other side of the bridge.
Yambul grabs the gate and heroically hoists it open!
vs DC 15
Yambul grabs the gate with both hands, plants himself, and
vs DC 15
pop.
Oh, he’s going to feel that when the adrenaline wears off…
"I can't get through the gate!" he cries angrily.
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When the coast is clear and Yambul is unable to brute force the gate, Zzvkgrogk rushes forward to assist.
"COME BACK HERE AND FIGHT!" he cries, outraged.
. He gently swings open the gate, and makes room gesturing for the others to pass through.
AC = 17
HP = 34/34
Weapon Equipped = Tuilindo
Conditions = None
Chaance breathes deeply, and ducks through the gate, aiming towards the far door, and what lies beyond. If she can spot the Rhu-Chalik from the doorway where she comes to a stop, she fires at it, desperate to avoid chasing it any further. It is severely injured. It's scared of failing its masters, so it flees. Let's just end this here and now.
Round 2, Init 18
Rhor moves up 30' and readies to shoot if she sees the monster again.
"zzvkgrogk!"
force damage (13?/50 left)
HP: 26/26
AC: 12/12/10 (+4 w/Mage Armor) F+3, R+4, W+6
Open spell slots:
Left Hand: nothing
Right Hand: Wand of MM
Ring of Punchery: 14/17
Lighten Up: 0/1 used
Rod of Extend, lesser: 2/3 used
[ dice]1d20+4[/dice] ranged to hit;
[ dice]1d4-1[/dice] blunt damage
Phasing: The drinker gains the ability to become incorporeal for 1d4 rounds as a swift action, but takes 1 point of Con damage when he does so. Phasing can be extended as a free action by taking 1 additional point of Con damage. Coming out of phase inside a solid object is instantly fatal.
She casts a very simple spell at Arturo.
”I can do it myself!!”
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] CLW
"zzvkgrogk!"
force damage (23/50 left)
Rūha follows through the now-open door, but hesitates upon reaching the darkened room beyond. Without Yambul's light to illuminate the place, it seems foolhardy to just rush in.
With a well placed arrow Chaance skewers the alien flying ovoid puting and end to the cat and dog chase.
The new room is full of debris but otherwise empty. In fact an exploration of the rest of the complex will show the whole area is abandoned aside from the Dominion inhabitant you put an end to (and the many remains of dead chokers).
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Chaance uses the embedded arrow to rock the Rhu-Chalik back and forth, studying its bits, and debating. "Do you think these things decompose in the same manner as biological beings of Golarion? How difficult would it be to preserve this? To bear it all the way to Kyonin? I hadn't thought this far in advance, nor did I think this kind of entity would be assailable. Of all places to find one..."
It's unclear if the elf has found some new respect for Scrapwall, having hosted something this rare, much like Torch and its buried starship.
"Are they like rats, I wonder. Where there's one, there are many?" Chaance spends the rest of her time in the Array straining to look about, fearing that slaying one Rhu-Chalik might rain others down upon them in short order.
Rhoreen saves the charge from her wand, and looks around for another foe after Chaance’s warning.
”Maybe we should make sure there is nothing of value in here *AND* find the best spot for the charges,” Rhoreen suggests, moving to the next unexplored area so that she might best estimate where would work best.
”Over here, Yambul, this door.”
Know (Engineering)
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Yambul, having done a whole lot of nothing in the fight, and with a twinge of pain... down there... he's a little off balance and is a bit quiet for a while.
When Chaance talks about preservation though, he gets excited again and quips, "You could have it stuffed! There was a tax... uh, taxmey? ...something or other dude there. He used to take favorite pets, gut them, and stuff them with straw and stuff. I helped him shave some glass beads for eyes once. Really creepy how life like they were."
"You should totally do that. And hang it from your bedroom. That would be sweet!"
”Over here, Yambul, this door.”
"Oh yeah, right!"
He'll open doors with his falchion out, and hunt around a bit in case there's treasure lying about though he doubts it. He'll plant the charges where told and leave the setting of the charges to those with more of a clue.
When they say it's time to go - he goes and goes quickly!
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Zzvkgrogk quaffs an elixir, persimmon flavored.
He runs over to the fallen war-orb.
"Did you hurt its eyeball? I was wondering if it would make for a good loupe!" He flips the inert tentacled blob over to have a closer look. "Is this really organic, or are there mechanical parts?"
~~
"How about some explosives over here?"
He points to an alcove he thinks will magnify the blast throughout the structure.
Zzvkgrogk and Rhoreen reach the same conclusion. The most effective procedure will be to set the explosives on the support structures.
Regretfully, this means someone will have to climb to reach them, and then set the explosives safely.
Once set, anyone can trigger it using the detonator.
Yambul looks up where the explosives need to be placed. ”I can shimmy up there no problem, but I dunno anything about explosives.” He eyes Zzvkgrogk. ”I can shed some gear and carry you on my back up there. Maybe we can rig some sort of harness so you can use both hands to work.”
(accelerated climb as Yambul's in a hurry)
Rhoreen is more interested in exploring the entire area and making *sure* she has found the best place for the explosives than doing it now. She waits by the door, hoping to explore more with the full party.
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With Zzvk and Rhor precisely identifying the best points in the structure to detonate, Rūha responds to Chaance "We can't rule out there being more of them, especially if we can't see them. The clearest tell would be if any of us report intrusive thoughts like Yambul experienced. Still, it's worth keeping a lookout." True to her words, while the rest of the party tackle setting up the explosives, Rūha walks around, watches and listens for any other threats that might think to use this opportunity to surprise the group.
Zzvkgrogk likes Yambul's idea, and straps his scrawny body to the brawny youth for the ascent.
He flips a switch on the explosives cartridges.
"O.K., it's live, let's not detonate it accidentally."
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Yambul and Zzvkgrogk work on bringing the cylex to the upper area of the structure where the white dish is attached. Veeery carefully, to avoid unwilling detonations.
Meanwhile Rhoreen checks again the different rooms. The only remarkable thing aside from the dead chokers really is a man-sized statue of a clawed hand (again Hellion's religious symbology).
Yambul sets a rope for Zzvkgrogk who then makes it up the structure. There, the view of whole Scrapwall and beyond, the Sellen Hills and the Numerian Plains is impressive. They have not much time to enjoy though, for the winds are strong in there.
The Kellid makes it down first, while the ratfolk sets the cylex in the structure and configures the detonator to work with this explosives cache.
When he makes it down too, you all together take distance from the structure, as far as the range of the detonator. And then, you push the detonator button. The reaction is instantaneous, a huge explosion blasts the dish that collapses down with a thunderous . The iron falls over the rocky caves below that collapse under the heavy weight, but the rest of the environment is preserved. The collapse of the scrap caves are accompanied by another loud IIIIIIIIEKKKKKK sound.
A perfect engineering work.
As the dust starts to settle around, you are sure the explosion has been heard beyond Scrapwall and the new aspect of one of the region's tallest features is also going to capture the attention of people miles around.
”Wow… that was great!” Yambul admires the destruction as it’s happening. He wishes he had a drink in his hand, but alas. He remembers to sheath his falchion as he watches the dust settle.
”Well that’s going to attract some attention.” he adds grinning. ”Is this when we kick ass in the arena? I sure hope so. That is going to be fun I bet. Us against their toughest.”
"They don't stand a chance."
Zzvkgrogk stands, his hand over his heart in awe as the white dish booms to the ground, kicking sand and dust up into the air, like a mushroom cloud above where the dish used to stand.
He pulls out his dragon pistol and shoots a flare into the enormous dust ball to light it up He pauses, admiring the way the dish shards sparkle in the light of the flare.
”Yes, that ought to get their attention,” he declares, beaming. ”Great work, Calliope, finding the very best place to plant the explosives! Great work, Zzvkith!”
”Don't be too confident, Yambul. You should never underestimate your enemy! Shall we head back to Warren? “ he suggests. ”There has got to be some pretty juicy gossip by now!”
5 first, 3 Second
(1st)
(1st) True Strike
(1st) Identify
(1st) Identify
(1st)
(2nd) Bullet Shield
(2nd) Barkskin
(2nd) Invisibility
Mutagen (Dex +4, Wis -2)
Can use craft (alchemy) to identify potions as if using Detect Magic
Hits: 28/28 ()
AC 16/ 16 (16), touch 14 (+3 dex, +1 racial), flat-footed 13 (+2 armor, +1 racial)
Brown nanite hypogun charges: 7/10
Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 19/50
Radiation Detector (6/10 charges)
Neraplast Armor Charges: 18/24
Laser Pistol (Charges): 6/10
Batteries Charged): 11/21
Empty Battieries: 3 /21
Zzvkgrogk Special (Alchemical Ordinance): 4 / 8
Rhoreen dusts off her hands, looking at Zzvkgrogk.
"Well, that worked, didn't it, <*sound*>," Rhoreen nearly echoes the sound of the explosion with the scraping of her vocal cords as she tries to say Zzvkgrogk's name. "Nice work."
Rhoreen looks around, confident they had found all that was to be found here.
"Let's get back to the Warren, and see if any news or reaction to our deed reaches us."
Rūha waves dust out of her face. "Appropriately flashy. I'd call it over the top, but it certainly seems this is the kind of spectacle needed to impress the locals." She looks off to the north-west "We probably need a little time for the Lords to decide to decide we're worth calling out directly. And I'd rather let them make the first move so we can decide how to respond, rather than just walking right into their midst." Rūha agrees with Zzvkgrogk's take.
"Let's keep an eye out for anyone heading over to see this place in person, while we're on the way back. Coming head-to-head with some Lords loyalists seems pretty likely after this."
The vulptures have all but disappeared from the area when you decide to go back to the Warren and await a formal invitation. Rūha though, remains a bit back and observes from the distance if there is any creature attracted.
The first called ones are a group of two errant chokers who make it back to see what happened on their old lair. From the distance she can see them going in circles shocked.
You make it safely back to the Warren, and you do not have to wait long for an invite, for before you reach your allies den, the crackling sound of Scrapwall speakers is heard once again ""
"" it follows an ominous guitar melody before it resumes "" the guitar sounds a bit more and then there is a whistling sound and the communication ends.
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Chaance focus fires on preserving the Rhu-Chalik's hefty 30lb mass. She forbids any explosion to be set off until she is free and clear of the Receiver Array, bundling the war-orb in some reasonably-sized cloth she finds in the den.
She spends as much time as makes her feel confident she'll be able to ride the vehicle back to the Warren without dropping the bundle or herself falling from it, as unbalanced as she feels.
Back in the Warren, she seeks out Redtooth, and asks permission to store the Rhu-Chalik somewhere cool, exposing the aberration's corpse to the leader of the Warren out of deference.
As the next endeavor becomes clear, the elf doesn't argue. "If we're going to become more confrontational with the powers that be here in Scrapwall, so be it. It sounds like the Arena is going to require us to prove our fighting ability against minions of Rust, not the Leadership. It should give us an opportunity, eventually, to get closer to the head of the viper."
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Rhoreen's eyes roll as the annoying bombastic voice returns.
"Oh for rust's sake, that is ridiculous," she chirps to herself, annoyed. "I know we're going to go, but let's not make a mockery of ourselves, nor a farce of the event. Chaance is right. This is an opportunity."
"This is an opportunity, and we shan't fail," she concludes smugly.
She will return to the Warren for the night, and in preparation for tomorrow's battles.
”Don't be too confident, Yambul. You should never underestimate your enemy! Shall we head back to Warren? “ he suggests.
"Bah! They attack the weak and rule through fear. Both show their own weakness. I'm not saying they won't be physically tough, but they will fall."
"Let's get back to the Warren, and see if any news or reaction to our deed reaches us."
Yambul nods with Rhoreen and Zzvkgrogk. He’ll help Chaance level his load before getting on his own bike and riding.
"Let's keep an eye out for anyone heading over to see this place in person, while we're on the way back. Coming head-to-head with some Lords loyalists seems pretty likely after this."
Yambul looks around a bit as he rides. Mostly looking for snipers.
”All right then! Got our invitation, and a day to prepare to boot!”
"...It sounds like the Arena is going to require us to prove our fighting ability against minions of Rust, not the Leadership."
"I know we're going to go, but let's not make a mockery of ourselves, nor a farce of the event. Chaance is right. This is an opportunity."
”Totally. We beat them down, but let’s not kill those who don’t deserve killin’, if we can help it anyway. I mean, don’t pull your punches, but let’s be kind to those who drop or surrender.”
He’ll split his afternoon reading his book and working on his jewelry - but he spends the morning working out with his armor. He did poorly at the dish, and he can’t help but wonder if it’s a lack of familiarity with the the new tugs and pulls.
So he practices. He practices with his falchion, knife, and javelin. He’ll even take a couple shots with his longbow - just to keep in practice. He knows he needs to ensorcel that too, but there’s no time - and his blade must come first.
Zzvkgrogk rolls his eyes. ”’...tomorrow at midday’ – that is sooo typical.” He turns to his companions.
”It is good to hear all your resolve! They made it sound like it wasn’t our goal. Then let us go and prepare for the Arena ‘tomorrow at midday’.”
You make it back to the Warren safely and are received with claps, Redtooth and Whiskifiss are there as they were warned of your arrival "Thoze Where Great Great Fireworkz Ssvgrogk! Well Done My Nephew!"
Redtooth invites you to have a good lunch "Very well done, things are going as planned, and it is time to perform the final show. We need put all the weight on this so we have a chance of victory"
"I have thought of gathering what remains of our gang and assisting the arena event as well. In this way, once the show ends, we can handle out things and let you focus on the Lords of Rust and that fake Iron God" the ratfolk leader exposes her plans "I have told Whiskifiss to prepare our last rust monster for the day"
The day will go uneventful aside of preparation talks, and the group will wake up well rested the next day.
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Chaance becomes very interested in the stratagem of Ears-to-the-Ground Redtooth. The Warren being there is heartening to the elf. The only nagging fear left in her is the possibility, however slim, that Zzvkgrogk dies in front of his pack. Or Redtooth or Whiskfiss die in front of Zzvkgrogk. Any death of their own, really. Death becomes the shade of every thought running through Chaance's mind, given their recent encounter with the Rhu-Chalik. The danger is heightened, and the stakes greater, now that a tendril of the Black Truth has lifted itself against them.
"Redtooth, please elaborate. You've seen the Show before? Paint us a picture. How long does the performance last? How many Acts? How many performers? Are there Champions who continue to assert their superiority by defeating newcomers such as we? Or do the victors ascend to the ranks of the Rusted, never to participate in the Show again? Are we about to confront ex-members of your pack?" Chaance purses her lips to allow for answers.
"Oh, good questions there Chaance. If it's going to be a long day, I should save my shield potion thingy. But if it's one fight a day, well, bring it on!"
"So how many fights a day are there? I wanna use it on the last fight - the toughest right? The others are just to wear us down."
Yambul leans in, eager to hear how it goes so he knows when to use his shield.
He'll spend the morning practicing, and generally making himself ready for the battle(s) ahead.
"Most of the times the Rusters make prisoners fight to death just for the fun of the Scrapwallers. But every now and then some Scrapwallers who have attained real scrapworth fight to gain a membership with the Lords of Rust" Redtooth explains and Whiskiffiss interrupts at this point to say "Thatz How Isskvitgrk And The Otherz Made It Into The Ruzterz"
"Yes, that and proclaiming faith in Hellion" Redtooth continues then elaborates on her plans "What I think you can do is to present yourselves and make a show of the games to gain the heart of the still free Scrapwallers and to cause fear on the rest. If you win, I am sure Helskarg will want to fight you personally. The troll thinks of himself immortal, but don't give him mercy and there will be one less of the Lords of Rust leaders."
"By then well, you can follow on in different ways. You can either proclaim your faith in Hellion and infiltrate their ranks, or you can contend his rule. That should spurn chaos, but if you won the sympathies of the Arena, I am sure we can handle whomever remains loyal to fight while you go inside and face the bedrock of the gang and all that Hellion scum." Redtooth tenses her fist irritated by the mere thought of her rivals.
"As for the number of fights, I don't think there would be more than a wave of volunteers. If there are at all"
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"Troll. It's coming back to me. You've mentioned the Lords almost to the one, save the assassin." Chaance enumerates the enemy list in her mind.
Draigs- Ettin...
Helskarg- Troll...
"Um, I am drawing a blank with regards to the humanoid creatures such as ettins and trolls. I am eager to prepare for the arena, and would appreciate understanding the weaknesses of such giants. If I watch another arrow plink off an impenetrable hide one more time, I'll scream."
Chaance remembers herself. "Thank you both. The booming voice seems to know all. It's the least we can do to understand who they are, before we walk right into their hands."
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"Troll? Like an actual troll-troll? I think I missed that part," Rhoreen says, trying to catch up. "I thought he might be a troll-ish person, or have a long beard or something, but a real troll, then?"
Rhoreen realizes she might have been better off studying more of *Local* cultures, and so she might know more about troll-trolls. She won't admit she knows nothing, of course.
"Redtooth? Is there any particular garb we should wear? Or uniform? That might be interesting, right?" She looks at the party to see who might agree.
Rūha doesn't particularly like the idea that seems to be taking the group in stride, to walk right into the arena and face whatever the Lords of Rust decide would be reasonable. She speaks up "We've done much to irritate the Lords already. Who's to say that whatever they've prepared for us at the arena is going to be fair? It's on their terms after all. They could set up a trap, or even just rush us with far more of their followers than we could contend with." She crosses both pairs of arms "The only thing stopping them from doing so is how it would look in front of the masses, to throw out overwhelming force just to stop a few outsiders. While that might be enough to get them to hold back, I can't just trust in that outcome. We need a plan B."
She turns to Redtooth and Whiskifiss and gestures "What do you think they'd do if we didn't show up?" She ponders for a moment and then adds "You mentioned Whiskifiss is preparing your last rust monster - what's your plan while we're doing this? Any chance you can be set up to cause some ruckus and cover our retreat if things turn sour?"
Rūha knows ettins are double-headed giants adept at using two weapons at the same time without penalties.
"Well, what I can tell you is Helskarg has been defeated several times, but it doesn't matter how severe are his wounds, he always comes back latter in a matter of minutes" Redtooth explains about the trolls "That one just things immortal of himself. I guess that regeneration is part of his troll nature, but I have no idea how to stop it. Perhaps severing his head and his heart and throwing them into a volcano? Or maybe drowning him with a heavy weight?"
When it comes to plans she explains "I hope if things go back, we have enough numbers to retreat safely. The Arena is though common ground for all the gangs, and so battles tend to be restricted to the field."
Whiskifiss eyes are bright as he adds "Juzt Let Uncle Whiskifiss Deal With It. I Have A Good Zurprize Zurprize For A Distraction"