Party
Zem: A Human Fighter, she uses a weapon in each hand. A caravan guard who has just blown into town. A simple hard drinking soul, interested in earning some serious money.
Gellima: A 1/2 Orc alchemist. A resident of Tourch. He has been raised by several of the prominent residents. He has been experimenting with the severe heat from the torch on alchemy. A serious scholarly young man. Like many half orcs he matured earlier the humans and is well aware he is likely to also die earlier.
Kolaya: An Elf Oracle of Life: A young elf from Kyonin. She is exploring the world before settling down and has found Torch fascinating. She has been staying here for 8 months. Inexperience about the world, but having a deep compassion about her companion.
Benhaim Pale: A Human Arcanist from Taldor. He has heard of the wonders in the area and has come to investigate. He comes from a wealthy merchant background. This has left him the time and resourse to pursue his interests. He has left Taldor to escape the overbearing Bearded class.
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Gellima and Kolaya have become unlikely friend over the last few months and are discussing the disappearance of Khonnir Baine over a drink in the Foundry Tavern. The fate of the various expeditions also come up in conversation. Gellima knows some the missing people and Kolaya natural compassion means that they are both interested in the safety of those who have gone missing.
Gellima then mention of the reward from the town council. A woman with dark hair hacked short suddenly sits down with the. “reward you say this could be interesting, why don’t you fill me in on this situation. By the way my name is Zem”
Despite the somewhat rude interruption, Gellima explained the torch going out and the expedition who have gone before. How Khonnir came back having discovered a metal wall and door, together with various hostile inhabitants. He has not returned from his 2nd trip. The town has offered a reward of 4,000gp for the return of Khonnir.
“A wall of metal, together with a door? Do you mind if I join you? I am Benhaim Pale from Taldor.”
The others agree to Benhaim joining them, Gellima and Kolaya realising what had started as a private conversation had already morphed in another direction, and Zem because she didn’t care and anyway Benhaim was kinda cute.
“I am a scholar and dabbler in the arcane” I heard this lovely lady introduce herself as Zem and she is clearly a warrior. Can I inquire about the identity of the people we are so rudely interrupting?”
Gellima answered “Well I am Gellima. I have been kind of adopted by the town since I was discovered as a toddler. For the last few years I have been experimenting on the effect of the heat from the torch on alchemy. My shy friend here Kolaya a healer from Kyonin. She has been in town for a few months now.
The reward is offered by the council, so if we are going to risk the ruins I suggest we inquire there.
Councillor Freddert is happy to see the four
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," she says, beaming with relief. "I am glad that you are eager to assist Torch in its time of need. As you are likely aware, there's a reward of four thousand gold if you can find Khonnir and bring him back. A separate reward of equal value is still awaiting those who can reignite the torch, but right now we are more concerned with getting Khonnir home safe and sound."
"It's been eight days since the flame went out, but only seven since the first explorers braved the new tunnels Khonnir discovered. There's an underwater passage connecting them to Weeping Pond. Khonnir noticed a large number of human footprints on the pond's banks—he was there the day the fires went out testing the water to ensure it hadn't suddenly grown more toxic—and he realized that a sizable group of people had entered the pond but had not emerged.
"Since then, four teams have entered in all, but only one came back to report what they found—Khonnir's first expedition. Khonnir spoke at length with the council before going back in, and he confirmed what his group told us, despite how outlandish it sounded. The first team was a group of halfling adventurers, the second a group of local thugs, and the fourth a small adventuring party devoted to the worship of Brigh from out of town. Khonnir’s team undertook the third and fifth expeditions under Black Hill, and it was on the fifth expedition—his second trip—that he went missing.
"The caves are inhabited by several enormous vermin and other scavengers, along with some strange humanoids who had the ability to blend into the shadows of the cave walls, and a nest of gremlins. Khonnir believed this indicated a deeper connection in the caves to the Darklands, but of more immediate interest was his discovery of a wall of solid metal deep in the caves. A wall made of a skymetal alloy called glaucite. He said it was like the kind we mine from the hills and surrounding plains, but formed into a structure with doors. It was near one of these doors that Khonnir found a broken automaton that he brought back after his first expedition.
"Khonnir planned on exploring deeper beyond the doors on his second expedition, but who knows if he made it that far?"
"You'll need to swim a bit to get to the caves," Dolga says. "Joram Kyte has agreed to cast water breathing on any group to aid in entering the caves—free of charge, of course. You can find him at the temple of Brigh or up at Crowfeather Palace when you're ready to go.
"Once you're on the job, I'll give each of you a writ that you can show to any of the merchants in town for a flat twenty percent discount on any gear you need to purchase—I wish I could offer a greater discount than that, but that's the best I can do."
The party take up this offer
The party emerges into a dark cave. Initially lit only by Benhaim’s magic. The air is bitter and Zem and Benhaim are both affected by the foul water, coughing and retching.
Well it is nice that a half orc constitution protected me from that. You two OK? What are those red lights. Gellima quipped.
As the party start to look around, Zem and Benhaim hampered by their reaction to the tainted water. Benhaim’s light spell has attracts the attention of a trio of dog sized beetles, carrying their own light source. The beetles advanced looking aggressive.
Benhaim says “Oh good enormous insects. I was hoping the previous explorers would have dealt with things like this” Despite his comments he quickly drew and loaded his cross bow. Kolaya follows suit, drawing a javelin and throwing it close to a beetle, but missing.
The hungry beetle advance and take a big bite out of Kolaya.
“Don’t worry elf lady I’ll save you” Zem shouts, steps up and kills the beetle in one blow. Gellima is silent as he draws a dagger and misses his throw,
“Well bug you picked the wrong scholar to pick on. Let’s light you up” Benhaim uses his Exploit to create an arc of fire, which kills a beetle.
Kolaya then bury’s her morning star in the last insect, killing it in one stroke.
“Well that loosened the sword arm” Zem breezed. “Well exercise has never been my idea of a good time” Gellima grouched.
The party waded out of the water and climbed the low ridge to a cave filled with stalagmites. They organised themselves and recovered from the effects of the brackish water. Moving carefully down the chamber they come across a half orc’s body. Neither Gellima or Kolaya recognised the deceased but agreed they would take the body back when they returned
The party travelled south and entered a large chamber. There were 4 ramshackle huts and a dark pit.
As the party decended a sloop into the chamber A strange, hairless humanoid came out of hiding to talk to them.
My tribe would like to parlay with you. Would half of you talk to our leader, while the oher two stay here?
Kolaya you would be our best negotiator, take Zem as a bodyguard Gellima suggests
Okay you two, come with me. Brath and Yadriss will watch the rest of you to be sure you don't try anything funny." Two more previously unseen humanoids step away from the walls and take up guard positions
Leupel leads Kolaya and Zem to a short passage between two of the huts. The cramped cave beyond is filled with metal junk covering almost every inch of ground. The precarious pile rises up in a heap-like hut to the northwest. Another female Humanoid awaits here, numerous daggers strapped to a harness crossing her otherwise naked body.
"I am Sef, leader of this tribe," she says. "I will allow you and your companions safe passage through my caves, and I will even reward you with a strange device I found in the wreckage here, so long as you agree to two things. First, you do no harm to me or my people. Second, you clear out the annoying gremlins who dwell to the north. These are my terms."
So what did those Gremlins do that makes you want us to go "clear" them out Kolaya asks
"The gremlins are malicious pests," Sef says with a scowl. "They are always sneaking into our caves and tinkering with the items we discover on our foraging trips into the Darklands. Those items usually end up broken or cursed. Sometimes they even go so far as to attack us directly if they catch one of us alone. I've grown tired of their little 'pranks' and wish to see them destroyed or driven away from these caves."
“Our purpose here is to find some missing people from the surface. Can you confirm who has been through here recently” Kolaya asks
"There have been several groups that have come through. I didn't catch many names. The first visitors were a purple-haired woman and a band of humans, orcs, and rat people. She met with my predecessor and arranged a significant payment in return for an agreement--my people would attack and kill any and all others who passed through the caves. They went north through the gremlin caves and have not returned since.
"We slaughtered the next group that tried to pass, but the one after that was lead by a wizard who killed our former chieftain and stole the purple-haired woman's payment from us. They went through the door and came back out. We hid from the next group, and then the wizard came back and we let him pass uncontested. But neither of those two groups came back either."
Kolaya looks to Zem for any comments. “Killing mites is good to me” she shrugs.
“Okay you have a deal we will deal with the mites. We will start now”
The party move into a set for tight caverns, only spotting a spike trap after they had passed it, not setting it off. Then a mite emerges from hiding, buries it’s dagger into Zem and runs off before anyone can react.
The party choose not to pursue and continue northward. They emerge into a slightly larger junk filled cave. On the far side is a metal wall with a closed door. A larger mite is in the room.
Gellima enters the room and draws his spear, reasoning that the situation is a bit too tight for his bombs. “I’ve got you mite” shouts Zem as she rushes in to miss her sword swing by a long way.
“Oh powers of life and growth help my friend in this time of need” Kolaya prays as she cast a bless spell.
The mite wealds its sharpened metal shard at Zem, who deftly twists away. Benhaim starts an arcane spell. The mite proves a difficult combatant with Zem and Gemilla both failing to land a blow. “Stay still you miserable insect” pants Zem as she tries to land a blow.
“Please knit these bones and stop this bleeding, giver of life” Kolay intone as she heals some of Zem’s wounds, just as the mite sticks it dagger deep inside Zem again.
“פיג'מות בתנומה תשכב” Benhaim finishes his spell and the mite falls asleep.
The party leave with their loot
The Party are trooping back to town, recovering from the effects of the brackish water they just swam through.
Zem starts talking about an after delve drink, while the others discussed what equipment they needed to buy.
They see Sanvil Trett walking past. He changes direction and approaches “Gellima, Kolaya I had heard you are looking to rescue Khonnir. If you find any mechanical wonders, keep me in mind. Whether you want to sell or just help identifying function, look me up” He them gives a short bow and leaves.
Kolaya suggest they make a short trip to visit Khonnir’s adopted daughter “Val” before then visiting the adjoining Foundry Tavern. This meets universal approval.
Approaching the Baine residence they hear a girls scream “ Benhaim runs to the building and throws open the door. Kolaya draws her morning star and moved into the room.
“A strange 3 legged humanoid machine lurches into the room from the opposite direction. Gellima reacts next, charging the strange figure, jabbing his spear deep into it (clearly he thought bombs in Khonnir’s home were appropriate). “You are delaying my drink” shouts Zem before wildly swinging at the robot and missing. Benhaim finishes things with a flame arc.
“Val, what happened here” asks Gellima.
“Dad brought that robot back from his first trip into the caves. It has been sitting in the corner of the store room for days. I was just getting some stuff out for dinner and it lurked to its feet. “
“Well it’s not doing that again” says Zem, thumping it again.
The party report their progress so far and promise to continue their efforts.
The next day the party goes shopping, with most of them upgrading their armour.
They return to the open metal door in the large chamber they saw in there last visit. The chamber beyond is made of metal. The ceiling contains light panels which splutter to life as the party enter. They move through to another similar chamber. This one contains robots similar to the one they had rescued Val from. The party react aggressively. Zem charges but swings wide, Gellima follows suit. Kolaya casts a bless. Benhaim uses a spark cantrip but misses. Finally the robot lurches to life and entangles Zem with net.
“This is unsporting metal man” Zem fumes as she tries to tear loss, but fails. Gellima manages to land a light blow, Kolaya hits harder. She then curses as the robot repairs some minor damage, but was watching carefully enough to dodge the return blow. Zem continues to try to escape, Gellima misses. Kolaya hits again but less impressively. Benhaim mutters אש להרוג את האויבים שלי and unleashes a flame arc, burning one of the legs. Kolaya does not manage to avoid the next attack which really injures her.
Kolaya steps back and heals herself, Gellima throws a bomb, it does not hit squarely but does some minor damage. Another flame arc finally put the robot down.
The party root around and found several artefacts from the time of the spaceship. Benhaim inspected them.
“Well he says this is used to manipulate fine objects, like a lock pick. These are called batteries, I have heard of them. These power these wondrous devices. This I don’t understand. It is too clumsy for a weapon”
Everyone was surprised when Zem pipes up ”It’s an industrial device of some kind. Obviously it clamps things. I think it may help to push things apart as well”
Benhaim was open mouthed. “Well I am not totally uneducated you know. I may like to drink but my brain is not rooted yet.”
Kolaya definitely saw a slight grin as Zem went back to lookout duty.
The party move on, they move into a chamber. It has two strange machines sit to the north and south against the walls here, their faces appear similar to coils of metal tubes with several nozzle-like protrusions pointing into the room itself. There is a second set of doors on the other side of the room.
“Don’t look at me” Zem pipes up. “I’ve no idea”
Benhaim studies the machine carefully but finally declares “I’m with Zem, no idea”
So they move on down a passageway of rough stone with a sand covered floor. As you move half way down the passageway you can see that the spaces in front of you appears to open into a larger sand covered area, you cannot tell the size as beyond your torches / vision is pitch black.
The sand is slightly lower in the center of the passageway and there are swirled marks thought.
At the end of the hall, in the sand there is a large (8ft or so) grey / white rock with pits in it that the swirls appear to continue around the rock.
Kolaya notices “Those marks in the sand, they are like the stone has moved itself”
“There is something moving inside the pits of that rock.” Gellima whispers.
With a great shout Zem charges and suddenly finds the sand sticky, pinning her in place. “Does nothing in this place fight fair” she complains.
Kolaya decides she doesn’t like the idea of sticky sand and throws a javelin, which glances off the stony carapace. Gellima finally finding a target no surrounded by friends throws a bomb, which blasts a chunk off the rock showing some fleshy lumps. Two long tentacles lash out at Zem, both hit doing terrible damage. Zem falls to the floor. An arc of flame flashes from Benhaim into the creature burning flesh. Kolaya misses again with her javelin. Gellima throws again but does not hit squarely. His bomb still does good damage. The strange creature pulled itself along and lashed out at Gellima (as the most dangerous opponent) but misses.
Seeing Gellima and Kolaya repeat their actions, Benhaim repeats his flame arc, but it shoots into the chamber behind. Kolaya decided to do something useful and stabilises Zem. Gellima steps back and throws another bomb. It lodges in one of the holes in the carapace. The creature is blown apart.
Kolaya runs to Zem to find she was still bleeding so uses her best healing spell.
“Well I am ready for a drink” declares Zem. The others agree it will be dangerous to continue.
The swim out of the caves was as unpleasant as normal.
An evening at the Foundry Tavern cheers Zem no end.