D&D 5E [IC] THE CURSE OF AMBERSTAR

[JustinCase]

Aanzu has kept to himself after his staredown with Ajax the Teraphim, but he looks up as Lyllie erupts in anger.

Crossing his arms, he does not interfere. Instead, the prince waits for the Teraphim’s response to her allegations. He does not expect them to react with agression, but if they do Aanzu has already decided he will rush in and try to defend Lyllie first, and destroy the Teraphim utterly afterwards.

With a subtle smile only visible to those who know dragonborn well, the prince realizes he has grown fond of the gnome.

 

[Shayuri]

"Often I have found their behavioral patterns to be incomprehensible, and yet you seem to hold this one as an ally. What have you to say for yourself?" - he asks the machineman directly.

Icosa's armored 'face' betrays little, if any expression or reaction, though it's clear that his attention is on the Teraphim in how he tracks his movements.

"I am still determining what to say for myself," is his answer. "You are dangerous. You may also have information I need. I am weighing the value of what you can tell me against the risks of providing you with information about myself."

There's a pause, then the warforged reports, "I have decided."

"I am Icosa. My first clear memory is coming to consciousness as I was excavated from a riverbank some distance from here. I had suffered damage from an unknown source, as well as what appeared to be long-term wear. I integrated as well as I could into the community of those who found me and eventually managed to effect some degree of repairs."

"As these repairs progressed, I became aware of a signal originating from these mountains. I researched the subject, learned the history surrounding this area, and began preparing to come here. When I was ready, I made the journey. In the process I met these others and elected to accompany them."

He turned slightly, regarding each of the party members in turn before returning his attention to the Teraphim before him.

"It is my hope that the signal, and this place, will offer information I have not yet been able to reconstruct, regarding myself and my past."

Absent from his explanation, for the moment at least, was any mention of the 'other' he had communicated with within this complex. He was still uncertain about the motives of the other, but something about how the Teraphim had believed it to have been shut down convinced him not to mention it. He could always choose to tell them later...but once revealed it could not be again concealed.

Icosa glanced back at the blast door closing off the elevator shaft, then remarked, "I did not expect this location to be so...hostile, however."

 

[Archon Basileus]

THULWAR/ICOSA

Ulisses' attitudes take a turn as he listens to the report on the incidents, as well as the questions so directly posed by Thulwar.

"We call things by their names, emissary." - he says emphatically almost as if excusing himself in a humorous tone. "I am sure you can understand the need for simplicity around certain aspects of advanced science, since your own descriptors are tremendous simplifications of your technical work." - he smiles faintly, a hint of concern crossing his gaze.

"The Cthon has been conceived to resist to all manner of opposition, Emissary." - he answers Thulwar in a respectul manner. "Causing harm to it can contain its' movement for a while, but it can't be completely destroyed. Even if reduced to microscopic dimensions the mass might still regenerate itself. Some methods of eradication might prove effective, but the fallout would prohibit such a measure. As an alternative, We have tried to scorch it and decontaminate several parts of the upper layers, but the mass must have intruded areas to which we never had access, since it found ways to regenerate even after disintegration. My guess would be that it intruded layers of the terraformed levels. We couldn't perform complete decontamination programs outside headquarter's limits." - he continues. "And since it can taint advanced systems, it ended up overtaking the entire area, eventually. It wasn't supposed to use Amberilan, though. She had an advanced diagnosis application. She should be able to remove any sort of discrepancy within her programming..."

"Still, maybe we can make the best of it. Maybe I can offer some help to resolve your questions, Icosa. If that fails, we might also take you to the data bank below." - he pauses for a moment, measuring the warforged with a respectful gaze. "Some units were conceived to simulate awareness. It was a necessary measure, in case we found survivors outside. I'd bet this was the case with you - a unit sent out to rescue survivors and bring them inside while evaluating the extension of the damage, as well as the potential for recovery through terraforming means." - he seems pensive for a second, intrigued. "Still.... You don't resemble any of our units. You resemble no unit I've ever encountered, in fact. Tell me, what did you expect to find here?" - he leans closer, a cautious posture falling upon him. "The circumstances of your reactivation are intriguing, to say the least... But we have more urgent matters at our hands, it seems. You've met orcs, you say? Pure-bloods or mutations? If they've reached these areas, it means they managed to breach the security locks we've placed beyond the Cultivation Pavilion - our inner garden, so to speak. That means they might be able to find their way towards the now active Cthon..." - he seems to consider the options.


HARFIK/AANZU/LYLLIE

"What do your people say about above? Have none traveled outside of the mountain?"

"Well... We've sent a few droid units to evaluate damage and seek out survivors. We planned to help anyone we could... Maybe terraform the land, fight the fallout. But the droids never returned. We sent two Teraphim expeditions afterwards. Never heard of them again. Without a steady flow of energy, hope dwindled. We managed to keep our basic technological needs up and running... But a huge part of home-base had to be shut down." - he glances at Harfik, Aanzu and Lyllie, an expression of pain and sadness running trough his face.

And only I remain, with these scars a sadistic, persistent reminder of the atrocities I promised myself I would mete upon your kind! Yet here we are, and the fates have seen fit to tie my hands still."

The captain lowers his head in shame as Lyllie bursts in frustration. His words become even more scattered.

"I can't..." - he falls mute, as if gasping for air. "It was a stupid decision, bred by fear and blindness. Bred by hate. Some of us tried to stop the others. Some of us voted against it. Some of us even refused to fulfill such orders..." - he seems to reminisce, his void eyes watering as he speaks. "The worst hour came when the button had to be pushed. A mutiny bred. Armed Teraphim tried to stop the perpetrators by force. Many died. Again. And the mutiny failed. The warheads flew...And they fell. And nothing could be the same anymore." - he falls silent for a moment, trying to hold a grasp of himself once more.

"Afterwards, some of the mutineers were banned. Others were imprisoned for live. Others received the worst kind of work... Such as the unending watch over the Cthon at this very division." - he points towards the others. "These men you see here sacrificed their lives to defend your world. They failed, and they blame themselves. All of us that still have souls do so." - he considers his own words for a moment, smiles a sad smile, and continues. "But you lived. As I believed, you lived, you survived. It's only fair that, in due time, you judge our actions, and pass the sentence upon our lives. I, for one, would be relieved to pay the price."

He shakes his head, snapping out of his own sadness.

"But first we must get you out of here. That is, if you'll accept our help."


EVERYONE

It is Hermes to declare the bad news.

"Sorry captain, no can do... It's impossible to establish the comm link now. Maybe if we get the floor running once more... But we don't seem to have enough juice. Also, it needs repairing..." - the Teraphim looks around with his arms sprung out.

"Good news is that we seem to have some niiice Viranium sources right outside. Given time we can improvise a source - one that won't explode on us, of course" - Sisyphus adds. "We might even manage to take some back with us, if we're lucky!"

The captain reflects for a brief moment.

"We'd still need to find a way down... Well, seems we'll be here for a while. Ajax, get everyone to set up camp. We rest for a while. As soon as we're ready, we set up a party to go outside and grab some Viranium. Get our guests comfortable." - he issues the orders with a sure, hard voice, right before turning back to the heroes.

"You should take your time. I have a few rations I can spare,but they won't last. This was supposed to be a routine mission." - he motions towards a hidden pocket in his armor, taking out five small, cubic packs. "Tastes awful, but it'll keep you running.


[Ok, dialogue can continue. A camp's being set up. You can use the downtime to rest, eat or work on your first XP batch! I'll post the points on the OOC thread!]
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=23298]industrygothica[/MENTION] [MENTION=6776182]JustinCase[/MENTION] [MENTION=6855102]Greenmtn[/MENTION]

 

[JustinCase]

Aanzu is surprised as Lyllie's outburst manages to humble the Teraphim captain. The prince chuckles softly as he sees the small and, in his mind, vulnerable gnome woman looks up at the imposing warrior, and it is he, not she, who lowers his head in defeat.

The dragonborn is satisfied, convinced that these Teraphim are not more powerful than him. Despite their tools and training and magic, in the end they are just softskinned weaklings.

Aanzu sits himself down, crosslegged, and closes his eyes. For a while it seems the warrior prince is meditating or sleeping, until suddenly he asks aloud, "Mordayne. Ellah Ravenblade. Do the birds know these names?"

Not until someone answers does he open his eyes.

OOC: Do we take a Short Rest or a Long Rest?

 

[Neurotic]

"We could go up and check the systems infected by Chton...maybe it has some hidden cache of itself so it can keep growing if its roaming self is destroyed? And I want a sample so I can find a way to destroy it fully."

OOC: I think Short Rest - none of us is seriously hurt and we're in the middle of the dungeon.

 

[industrygothica]

- he considers his own words for a moment, smiles a sad smile, and continues. "But you lived. As I believed, you lived, you survived. It's only fair that, in due time, you judge our actions, and pass the sentence upon our lives. I, for one, would be relieved to pay the price."

Lyllie approaches the man as he hangs his head and finishes his words. She reaches up, places a gentle hand upon his cheek and guides him closer to her. She speaks softly into his ear...

"And pay you shall..." She lets the whisper hang in the air, and the conversation is over.

 

[Greenmtn]

Harfik Human Monk

"Your efforts to make contact with us likely ended the same way that ours to contact you did. It brings me hope, to hear that the decision to destroy everything above was met with resistance among your people." Harfiks voice betrays him a little, bitterness and anger perceptible in his tone. He quickly composes himself when he recognizes it. "Your rulers. They still punish you for this? How will we be received?"


Harfik accepts the "food" and, during the interaction between the captain and Lyllie, produces some of his own rations from his pack, offering some dried berries and hard bread to the captain as Lyllie walks away. "This will not be easy, not without conflict or even death. Some hate is too strong to let go. The dried fruit is good. The bread is barely consumable without a liquid to soak it in. The mission is peaceful, but there are a lot of emotions to manage on both sides I am sure."

OOC: I'd imagine a short rest

 

[Archon Basileus]

AANZU

Mordayne. Ellah Ravenblade. Do the birds know these names?

While arranging a resting area, Ulisses takes upon himself to present an answer.

"I can't speak for the second name, your highness. But the first one..." - he considers for a second - "...I am quite sure I've seen it somewhere in the old records. If the names match, Mordayne was one of the volunteers for genetic recombination before the incident that isolated Mount Amberilan from the rest of the world." - he finishes improvising a bed with foam remnants and stuffing from a nearby drywall. "Mind if I ask where have you heard it?" - he asks, polite and curious.

"Mmm." - Ajax grunts on the other side. "Ravenblade. A girl? Witty, light fingers, soft step...?" - the warrior asks in surprise and disbelief, opening a console's lead with brute force, so Hermes can work it. "Last I heard, such a gal was building a name for herself at Palatine's Waterworks. Friend o'yours?" - he mocks as he continues to do the heavy lifting.


THULWAR/LYLLIE/HARFIK

"And pay you shall..." She lets the whisper hang in the air, and the conversation is over.

The gnome's words are heavy, and no one dares put them to the test, at least, for now. Even though the captain's observations seem genuine, it is clear to everyone that the actions of the past are set in stone, never to be forgotten.

"This will not be easy, not without conflict or even death. Some hate is too strong to let go. The dried fruit is good. The bread is barely consumable without a liquid to soak it in. The mission is peaceful, but there are a lot of emotions to manage on both sides I am sure."

The captain sits, managing the food as he prepares it to be redistributed. The Teraphim serve themselves frugally, probably more as a demonstration of gratitude then anything else. The captain himself takes some of the fruit, tasting it with curiosity. His face shows a strange kind of satisfaction as he munches on the parcels.

"Mmm!" - he rolls the food around his mouth, pressing a small piece between two fingers and his thumb. "Crops really did pick up, hm? Good..." - by comparison, it seems that the rations offered by Harfik are way better than the strange cubic masses presented by the Teraphim.

"Listen..." - he swallows up, hurrying himself to talk - "...I understand this can't just be forgotten." - his eyes run around between Harfik and Lyllie. "No one's asking for it, believe me. But if we can cooperate there might be ways to help the survivors." - he glances at the heroes, trying to devise some reaction.

"Your rulers. They still punish you for this? How will we be received?"

"I can't say for sure how the Teraphim lords would react. They're... Edgy around anything concerning the outside world. But there are those that would be eager to receive you and protect you. I'd take you to them first, of course. Once your presence became public, you'd be able to address the lords from a more favorable position."

"As for the punishment... The Teraphim have long lives and even longer memories." - his gaze becomes sad, and his laconic posture says it all. They'll pay for as long as the lords are in power, that's for sure.

"We could go up and check the systems infected by Chton...maybe it has some hidden cache of itself so it can keep growing if its roaming self is destroyed? And I want a sample so I can find a way to destroy it fully."

The captain considers Thulwar's words, offering a piece of the salt-cube ration.

"Here, tell me what you thing of it. Tastes like , but it keeps you going. As for Cthon, I would rule out the shaft as a means to reach it. We managed to severe all physical links to the consoles upstairs before abandoning the area as well. We could put these to work back again" - he gestures around - "...and use them to scout the terminals until we found traces of a cache. It'd be risky, though. If we can reach the thing, I assume it can do the same to us."

"We can try to go through there, as an option." - he points out towards the source of the blue lights, beyond all glass walls. "I assume we can find access to the command center through the caves, although I can't guarantee what lies in there now. Specially after you mentioned orcs making their way up here..." - he grimaces in concern.
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=23298]industrygothica[/MENTION] [MENTION=6776182]JustinCase[/MENTION] [MENTION=6855102]Greenmtn[/MENTION]

 

[JustinCase]

While arranging a resting area, Ulisses takes upon himself to present an answer.

"I can't speak for the second name, your highness. But the first one..." - he considers for a second - "...I am quite sure I've seen it somewhere in the old records. If the names match, Mordayne was one of the volunteers for genetic recombination before the incident that isolated Mount Amberilan from the rest of the world." - he finishes improvising a bed with foam remnants and stuffing from a nearby drywall. "Mind if I ask where have you heard it?" - he asks, polite and curious.

Aanzu opens his eyes and looks at Ulisses. For a moment or two he remains silent, then he speaks.

"The bird Mordayne offered this one help, and has shown helpful to the lizards. This one is not sure of her intentions yet," the prince says, more open than he himself had expected to be. Perhaps it's that this soldier, unlike his brethren, has not shown Aanzu any more agression than necessary.

"What is this 'generic combination' the ladybird volunteered for?"

From his incorrect use of the phrase it is obvious Aanzu has no idea what that means, and Ulisses probably realizes that it will be difficult to explain in a way that the warrior prince will understand.

"Mmm." - Ajax grunts on the other side. "Ravenblade. A girl? Witty, light fingers, soft step...?" - the warrior asks in surprise and disbelief, opening a console's lead with brute force, so Hermes can work it. "Last I heard, such a gal was building a name for herself at Palatine's Waterworks. Friend o'yours?" - he mocks as he continues to do the heavy lifting.

Aanzu's eyes narrow as he looks at Ajax, the rivalry still palpable. However, now that the dragonborn has decided that the Teraphim is not above his level, he speaks more easily.

"Once," he says, not going into detail. "The Ravenblade will return what she took from this one."

It is impossible to gauge his emotions from his face or tone, but those travelling with Aanzu for a while may notice that it is exactly this seemingly neutral expression that masks a great depth of feelings.

"How does one slither to the Palatine's Waterworks?"

 

[Shayuri]

"Still, maybe we can make the best of it. Maybe I can offer some help to resolve your questions, Icosa. If that fails, we might also take you to the data bank below." - he pauses for a moment, measuring the warforged with a respectful gaze. "Some units were conceived to simulate awareness. It was a necessary measure, in case we found survivors outside. I'd bet this was the case with you - a unit sent out to rescue survivors and bring them inside while evaluating the extension of the damage, as well as the potential for recovery through terraforming means." - he seems pensive for a second, intrigued. "Still.... You don't resemble any of our units. You resemble no unit I've ever encountered, in fact. Tell me, what did you expect to find here?"

"I was seeking the source of the signal," Icosa replies. "The fact that I can hear it, when no one else can, implied it was related to me, and my origins. At present, I cannot explain my awareness, nor my apparently unusual appearance. I hope to remedy that. Data banks, as you suggest, would be useful for that."

The warforged glances back the way they'd come.

"The CTHON entity poses an obstacle. Have you attempted to attack it's programming?"

 

[Greenmtn]

Harfik Human Monk

Harfik tastes, and chokes down, just enough of the Teraphim rations to be respectful.

"Excellent. It is always preferred to have friends when taking on a great challenge. I do think that peace and cooperation is best for all our people. This Cthon, there are much better assignments than watching it yes? Are there worse?" Harfik smiles.

"We may not have much to offer given the wonderful things your people seem to be able to make. But, with no disrespect intended, our food offerings seem to be better. Tell me of the dangers we face getting to your city? We can deal with the troubles that we will meet when we get there when the time comes."

OOC: We can handwave this conversation if it gets to a point that it's slowing down others. If we do that then until something happens or we set out Harfik is working the Teraphim, trying to keep them talking casually and getting comfortable with them.

 

[industrygothica]

Lyllie stews in the corner making a mental list of the myriad ways in which she can make these Teraphim suffer. Right now, she's pondering number 47.

OOC: Long rest, yes?

 

[Neurotic]

OOC: Short one, 3:1 votes. How are you with spells?

 

[industrygothica]

OOC: Short one, 3:1 votes. How are you with spells?

OOC: Honestly I don't remember. I reset everything because I was sure that we took a long rest! Oops. Honestly, I haven't used many, if any, in quite some time. I did use a wild shape once, but I typically stick with cantrips for the most part. So, in short... I messed up.

 

[Archon Basileus]

AANZU

"How does one slither to the Palatine's Waterworks?"

"One returns to Palatine first." - Ajax' mocking tone is evident. "I'd pay to see that... A prince at the Waterworks. But then again... If Ravenblade is the one I think, she'd never be close to a prince..." - he finishes his sentence with a strong hint of distrust.

Ulisses tries to rehearse an explanation for his words in vain. The only profitable thing he can say borders the obvious. "She's no longer human, your highness. She's like a shapeshifter. And she's probably not alone, now." - he seems pensive for a while. "Did she ask for anything, if... I may ask?"


ICOSA

"The CTHON entity poses an obstacle. Have you attempted to attack it's programming?"

"We have..." - this time, a busy Hermes answers Icosa. "It learned to protect itself. And quite well, one might say. So much so that it tainted part of our systems. We managed to shut down the overtaken parts, isolating the systems down below." - Hermes nods as he dismantles consoles to improvise new equipment. He thinks for a second or two before continuing. "Big mistake, that one... The idea was to create a post-singular physical receptacle for our very souls. We got our wish, I guess..." - he says with a sad tone.

Sisyphus raises his eyes, applying part of the comm gear to the isolated, dismantled console. "Funny you should be interested, of all people. Some say that Cthon is what it is because of its' necrotic nature; others say that our lords managed to place a Teraphim soul into it, or two... Maybe more. And now it thinks like we do. Or maybe the post-singular nature of a sprung-out body made the soul - or souls - mad. Who knows?" - he smiles for a second, glances at Icosa and resumes his thoughts. "Do you have a soul, Icosa? You sure have a name, after all..."

HARFIK/THULWAR

This Cthon, there are much better assignments than watching it yes? Are there worse?

"Depends on what you call worse... I'd say the punishment is adequate to the crime. Ajax, for example, would rather be at the front lines, down below. I myself would rather be anywhere else..." - the captain says on a low tone.

"But we are all about to put our skills to the test. If our intel is right, there are at least two mutant groups in the area, well adapted to environmental conditions. Aside from that, the only way towards Palatine is through the Lost City... And by the gods I do not wish to go through that cemetery..." - he grimaces as if influenced by painful memories. He seems to hold back for a second, but continues instead. "Lots of restless dead there. Courtesy of the magical nature of this world, I assume..."


LYLLIE

As the gnome considers the sometimes opposing merits of torture and execution, she sees Poe studying the hall with curious small bursts of flight. The creature seems to have found an attic of sorts by the side of a few walls. From there, it pulls a few threads of cloth, amusing itself with the things. Strangely enough, the threads are made of a glittering material, possibly the reason for Poe's curiosity to be peeked.


[No worries, @industrygothica! I got your back! You went for four shillelaghs, two mage hands and your wolf transmutation. How could I forget the hands... I felt like I was playing a scene from the apparition - the one with the dibuk crawling out of the girl's throat, in particular... ]


EVERYONE

As the camp gets organized, the Teraphim manage to recover a piece of bright material, used to feed the improvised equipment. Soon enough, the adapted console is turned on, and a comm link is established. Words are quickly exchanged, using the same common language in outdated style, with severe idiomatic expressions and strange slang thrown in for good measure. A half-functional screen displays a few maps from an ample area, offering meager information on potential dangers and denizens. The Teraphim have begun scanning the floor, trying to concoct a plan for the trip home.

[Don't worry about the conversation, guys! I'm using it to allow your characters some spread and to build the NPC's, all the while we exchange potentially useful info. Feel free to speed up or slow down as you wish.]

@Neurotic @Shayuri @JustinCase @industrygothica @Greenmtn

 

[JustinCase]

"One returns to Palatine first." - Ajax' mocking tone is evident. "I'd pay to see that... A prince at the Waterworks. But then again... If Ravenblade is the one I think, she'd never be close to a prince..." - he finishes his sentence with a strong hint of distrust.

A deep, unsettling chuckle comes from the dragonborn prince. "The Ravenblade should not have come close, no. This one's honor and the bird's heart are one and the same, and this one will return home with both."

The strange speech pattern makes it difficult to know for certain what Aanzu means, but he says it with conviction.

Ulisses tries to rehearse an explanation for his words in vain. The only profitable thing he can say borders the obvious. "She's no longer human, your highness. She's like a shapeshifter. And she's probably not alone, now." - he seems pensive for a while. "Did she ask for anything, if... I may ask?"

Aanzu nods satisfied, then points towards Poe, Lyllie's raven familiar who is now amusing itself with strings in an attic of sorts.

"The ladybird and the spiritbird have guided the lizards to shelter in the storm. The ladybird asked a favor and this one will see if he can grant it if the Great Blue Dragon wills it."

The prince seems unwilling to say what the favor is.

 

[Neurotic]

Thulwar observes with interest dissasembling of the console. He follows in his mind the paths of reason, connecting wires with energy (however strange or dangerous) and with this advanced technology boards who control the flow of said energy. He is not (yet) clear on how small lumps on the boards work to redirect energy and do something useful, but he would need fully equipped shop and one of the boards to pick apart.

Soon, he is distracted by Poes shinies and he leaves the soldiers to their work, satisfied that he will not learn anything new once they started putting things back together. "Is this some new wonderful material? Or parts of Chton? I will take piece of it anyhow." He takes small vial and tweezers from his bag and takes sample of the threads. He looks at them through the glass. "Metal? This fine? Or just silk with some advanced dyes?"
OOC: If he sees no movement of the threads he waits for soldiers to finish before asking them. Otherwise he calls to Lyllie to call off the raven.

Just as he was about to return he notices an open panel with glittering glass cube inside. The energy flickers in holo-cube memory unit somehow released from rigid structure of electronic component. He focuses his will onto it, feeling magical lines interweaving with energy of the technology. Taking everything he learned of Teraphim, their love of order and his knowledge of magic in his own world, he pulls the strings of magic guiding the lines of energy with his mind. It resists him at first, but inherently ordered paths of memory cube and his own disciplined mind find resonance and it connects to him energy flow snapping into a shape visible in the cube, but no longer dependant on Teraphim energy source.

It blazes with light for a moment and Thulwars body convulses, but it is quick and intense pulse after which everything returns to normal.

Thulwar returns carrying the glass cube, still focused inward. Approaching Tink he reaches somewhere under the front hooks and small panel pops open. He pushes the cube inside, does something to the machine and closes the hatch back.

[roll0] - just in case console qualifies as new tech
EDIT: and my good luck with technology continues

 

[industrygothica]

Lyllie walk beside Aanzu and holds his arm in her tiny fingers. As he sees her eyes turn to a pure white instead of their normal almost-white, he'll know from experience that she is now blind from her own body, her vision having shifted to her familiar Poe.

Whatcha got there, boy? she asks telepathically.

---

[B]AC:[/B] 16; [B]HP:[/B] [COLOR=#FF000]60[/COLOR]/60
[B]Initiative:[/B] +3
[B]Saves:[/B] INT +7, WIS +5
[B]Passive Perception:[/B] 15
[B]Languages:[/B] Common, Gnomish, Sylvan, Druidic
[B]Skills:[/B] Arcana +7, Investigation +7, Nature +7, Perception +5
[B]Stats:[/B] Str 8 (-1), Dex 14 (+2) , Con 14 (+2), Int 18 (+4), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 11 (+0)
[B]XP:[/B]23,100 / 34,000

-[B]Inspiration[/B]? [[COLOR=#FF0000]X[/COLOR]] Yes, [ ] No
-[B]Wild Shape[/B] [ ] 1st use, [ ] 2nd use

[B]Spell Save DC:[/B] 13/15
[B]Spell Slots:[/B] 4, 4, 3, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
[B]Slots Used:[/B] 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
[B]Spells Prepared:[/B] (4/9) 
[list]
[*]1st Level: 1st Level: Healing Word (D), Entangle (D), Faerie Fire (D), Speak with Animals (D), Ray of Sickness, Color Spray, 
Witch Bolt, False Life
[*]2nd Level: Blindness/Deafness, Ray of Enfeeblement, Misty Step
[*]3rd Level: Animate Dead, Vampiric Touch
[/list](D) Druid Spells modified with Wisdom. All others are Wizard spells modified with Intelligence.

[B]Rituals[/B]
Tenser's Floating Disk, Find Familiar, Identify, Gentle Repose

[URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?558266-THE-CURSE-OF-AMBERSTAR-ROGUE-S-GALLERY&p=7144213&viewfull=1#post7144213"]Full character sheet[/URL]

 

[Archon Basileus]

EVERYONE

Whatcha got there, boy?

Poe's answer is a sum of delighted mumbles, as the familiar seems to understand the trail as a new toy. "Shiny!" - is all Lyllie can get from him. Still, his eyes reveal something else behind a half-opened door...

Opening the locker displays what used to be an armor and weapon rack. There, five strange vests hang from hooks placed on the roof of the thing. The strange fiber got loose from one of them. It isn't made of any kind of cloth, and it looks more like a flexible variety of metal than anything else. By the side of it, two complete sets of armor rest, gathering dust. They aren't much different than those used by the Teraphim. Weapons are also present: five crossbows, six stun batons and four pistols, much like those used by gunslingers, only... stranger. A pair of vibroblades also rest in strangely elaborate scabbards - their patterns resembling weapons shaped to please nobility.

While the heroes indulge in their searches, the Teraphim finish their preparations. Soon, they engage in the next part of their tasks: now they focus on the laborious attempt of recovering power to the entire floor. The captain leaves his own team to the task, approaching the heroes with a new plan.

"So, we need to reach the city, three stages below us. Conventionally, we'd need to find our way towards the pavement you used to enter. Beyond it lies the Lost City. Within it, the Abgrund Tower can lead us down, towards the Traitor's gate. If we manage to reach it, we can take the road back to Nova Palatine. In order to ensure our way down, we need to map the cave system and put the terraforming suits back online. We can use the miners to collect the Viranium outside, but we still need capable hands to map and place the sensors throughout the caves beyond. That's where you come in." - he points out to the heroes.

"I need my people here, in order to put the floor back to work. Obviously, I wouldn't ask the giantess to go... So this leaves... Well, your team. I can spare Ajax to help, but I need the rest to secure the area." - he looks around and waits for an answer.


[Sorry for the delay, guys. Last doctor appointments of the bunch... :/]


@Neurotic @Shayuri @industrygothica @Greenmtn @JustinCase

 

[industrygothica]

Lyllie relays her information, and her sight returns to her.