Month: December 2015

Session 89’s Recording for you guys: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8WR3haKt47GNWdzOE1YMkdhWm8

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8WR3haKt47GNWdzOE1YMkdhWm8

Session 87 – Of Worm Robots and Monkey Business

18th Farilden at Dawn

During the two weeks, we discuss the viability of having Lupaa cast Glyphs of Warning to deal with any hangers-on. Possibilities include holding them, putting them to sleep and blinding them, but it will be difficult to get them if there are multiple hangers-on. We bring up to Lupaa, and she opts to place a Glyph to Cause Fear to protect the entrance to the gear area irregardless of our plans.

Axel continues to ensure the supply cache at the end of Raptor Tunnel. Thorfus’ commands to the automonkeys seem to be bearing fruit as the contraptions attempt to steal the armour of any adventurer wandering to close the tunnel entrance.

Early in the two weeks, Finklemur requests we head down to the worm chamber. Chuq shadowsteps the wizard, Axel and Thorfus over and we head to the tunnels. We hear a single source of banging when we arrive, similar to the gorilla automaton’s hammering. We check it out, and see two automonkeys working on plates to modify the suit of power armour we found in the labs. Leaving them to it, we head over to the gear chamber and meet Lupaa.

The naga instantly knows what Finklemur plans, the thoughts so obvious in his mind. She doesn’t attempt to stop him, and even approves, as do the monkeys. Finklemur casts Protection From Evil on himself and approaches, Thorfus, Chuq and Lupaa all listening intently in a mental capacity. We say goodbye, and he steps forward, giving permission for the worm to take hold.

The old man instantly feels pain, and but for a stroke of luck comes close to dying. He does pass out from the pain though, as the worm bodily removes his legs and attaches cables all over his body. The monkeys begin singing in thier strange whistling fashion. Eventually he awakens again, weak, but able to begin to move his new body. His old body itself is still vulnerable, but ensconced within the worm safe enough. Derich and Lupaa heal him up again, the former a little appalled, but congratulates him on being brave enough to turn the enemies weapons upon them.

Before we leave, Thorfus sets the automonkeys several new tasks, repair a bag full of monkeys and build an exo-suit to bolster Chuq’s abilities.

We leave him to get used to his body, Finklemur entrusting Socrates to Chuq for now, allowing us to communicate from above using the familiar connection. It takes him a couple of days, but is finally ready by the 13th. In order to enact our plan of Finklemur digging his way into the bioforge, we decide to attempt to bring Socrates down into the still-safe engineering section so he can find it easily with the familiar bond.

The dwarves and monk sneak down again, being sure to avoid the Silver Throne group below, and head to the temple. We open the portal, Axel stepping through first to deactivate the defence mechanism. Once through, Socrates is able to communicate his location to his master, and Finkleworm begins digging. Unfortunately, as fast as he is, Finklemur believes it may take a couple of weeks, even with the five day headstart on our return to the lower city.

The night before we are officially due to leave, there is a knock at the door from one of Marchmain Sivis’ personal guard, the dwarf himself has come to see us. Chuq is quick to scarper, looking for some place to eavesdrop out of sight. Marchmain shows up with Reinhold and a pair of Silver Throne militia.

He makes note that our work below needs to remain unimpeded, though he surprised that one of us has been noted to have been throwing rocks at a hawk. He hints that any sudden disappearance of our party would undoubtedly be us heading back to Vargen to look at hiring more hirelings. It seems obvious that he knows about our newly uncovered tunnel.

We posture the value of having control of the bridge automatons to him, and although he maintains finding the sphere remains priority, he does not think it would be a bad idea. He would pay for any information.

Marchmain also offers to look into ancient records regarding the standing of the Ironhands when Thorfus brings up stories of Xen’Khel from his family.

We ask after the number of patrol groups being sent down into the lower city. Reportedly, Dorea has only been sending a single party of around fifteen down at a time.

He leaves after this, and the next morning the Starchy Boys head to the lower city via the Raptor Tunnel, and make for Lupaa’s holdout. When we arrive, the newer, upsized power armour is complete. The Midmark armour looks to have most of its locomotion parts removed, but the monkeys are keen to get Thorfus to wear it regardless. He passes for now, but gets the monkeys to pack it into a sack. Oddly, despite repeated commands to sort gears, at least five monkeys keep getting into the sack and insist on whoever is wearing the circlet wear the armour.

Further checks show pegs on the inside, but nothing that could cause any harm to the user. As time goes on, a pair of monkeys begin hugging his legs. Eventually, he relents and lets the monkeys place it on him. We all watch apprehensively has they adorn him, standing to attention around him. Once worn, they leap, crawling into the armour and wrapping around him.

Once done, they go silent, but when Thorfus begins moving, they allow him to lift his arms. The monkeys are functionally acting as the suits locomotive mechanisms. One of his arms involuntary raises, the gauntlet flying off like a missile. When it lands, a monkey runs out to retrieve it and reattach it. He is able to replicate it with the other arm. He calls a sixth monkey, and it wraps around his shield arm, holding the shield for him and leaving his hand free. Eventually, he decides he will retain his magical armour, much to the automonkeys disappointment.

We decide to go and see what we can do about the crystal within the collossus. We head up, and with the monkey’s assistance make it up to the crystal platform. As before, the complaints of pain in the left leg remain. Thorfus touches the platinum key to it, and actually gets a response asking; ‘Who is there? There’s someone else.’

Thorfus begins conversing with the voices, who reveal themselves to be the Western Bridge. Only they are in pain, and need repairs. Chuq is able to see images of gears with his skullcap. The other bridges are all in working order it says, seemingly it is able to communicate with the other collosi, and this one is last, as the ‘little ones’ have been repairing them. Their function is to protect Xen’Khel.

They ask again who we are, and how many, noting that we carry keys, though they seem to glean some answer from surface thoughts perhaps. We learn that was once many other similar bridges around the the Empire. They ask if we have brought the ‘little ones’ too finish repairs, and will respond to our command, and have spoken to nobody else recently but Axel on our last visit. We can speak to this crystal and activate all the bridges at in Xen’Khel, though this would kill all upon them, but they are willing to do so at any time.

Thorfus asks some further questions about the crystal’s abilities and the Rebellion, they are aware of the Crystal Tower’s destruction. When he asks if the bridges would listen to anyone else in the Upper City, they reveal that they would respond to the Architect (almost undoubtedly Marchmain Sivis), who has been present for months perhaps, and was last here before the Rebellion.

We ask after Bryce, remembering hearing her name last time, but the bridges do not know who that is, and reckon it’s unlikely we would’ve heard the name.

Chuq announces he can smell flowers again, but at this we have nothing else to accomplish here, unless we can think of any more questions, and begin thinking of our next moves.

NOTE: Straight transcript of my notes – sorry no embellishments this time. PS: I also missed a name – can’t read my own writting!

Session 86: AND SO IT CONTINUES

After dealing with the Mechanical Monkeys and speaking with Luppa – informing her of the discoveries the Starchy Company made – the company make their way back to the surface for Edan to get some additional training and gather some extra supplies.

Emerging from the underground complex to an unusually sunny day, Thorfus (after reviewing the upper city with his FarViewing Mask) is hailed by one of the dwarven guards stationed at the entrance and is informed that the Marchmane would like a word with him as soon as possible. 

Since the team was already heading in that direction to sel some MechMonkey’s, Thorfus leads the group to Marchmane’s manor while Chuck takes a “stroll” to the Startchy Boy’s encampment in the Adventurers’ Quarter. 

At Marchmain’s, the company is made to wait a short time and are ushered into the meeting room where we’re met by Marchmane and Guard Captain (?).

Without fanfare the StarchyBoys are informed by the Guard Captain (?) that the deal regarding the exclusive rights to the UnderCity with the goal of hunting down the Naga has been unilaterally canceled. To ad further insult to injury, not only with their attempts resume that afternoon, but we would be “escorted” on any and all future descents into the UnderCity. 

As the various members of the team begin their protests the Guard Captain explained the Marchmane (who has been quiet throughout the exchange) fought the council on this but lost.

Guard Captain (?) ends the meeting with a snide remark aimed at Thorfus. Thorfus tosses the bag of Mechanical Monkeys on the table and walks out.

Marchmane apologizes for not being able to sway the council, and further pushed that Thorfus file an official complaint. 

Despite the change and obvious political hit, Marchmane was still interested in buying the Monkeys for the remaining Starchy Boys and learning about the gears the monkeys seemed to be collecting. 

While the negotiations continued, Thorfus went directly to Idvin’s tower in order to speak to Finklemur (a former Starchy Boy) about a plan and write a few letters.

The rest of the team arrive soon, after selling the Monkeys, and listen in on the plan. 

Thorfus’ plan had him being made invisible by Finklemur (who has agreed to rejoin the company) along with at least 5 weeks of iron rations (shrunk for easy carry) in order for him to get back to Luppa and the Ancients – provision them and warn them about what was happening. He hoped to have them move to a more secure location.

While Thorfus headed down the rest of the company headed to their Manor to wait his return and fill Finklemur in with details they weren’t able to share with him earlier. 

Thorfus made his way down without incident and informs Luppa and the others about the change and gets them to move to the newly discovered area near the workshops by following the chalk marks (which were then erased). Thorfus then instructs the Mechanical Monkeys under his control to guard against non-Starchy Boys from getting near the workshops by distracting them or leading them away.

On his way back, Thorfus encounters a group of dwarves heading down to explore, but he manages to use his invisibility and deep voice to scare them to retreat.

Once out – he makes his way to the Manor, as he does this, he “collects” the remaining Mechanical Monkeys in the upper city.

Edan trains and the team digs – re-opening an entry to the Under City. 

-30-

Session 80 – The ‘I Bet You Thought I’d Forgotten Again’ Edition

Having spoken to Lupaa, and gotten her support should we choose to return the overrun bioforge facility, the party considers what to do next. The task of retaking the area is a tall order, especially with our suspicions of what dwarven technology they possess, in addition to the literal horde of Undying at their disposal. Our best method of attack would be to replicate the crown-stealing-shadow-step-assault trick, but the surprise of that method may have been spent if the crowns were truly connected in a hierarchy.

We also learn what the event of ‘Heaven’s Fall’ actually constituted. The name seems to be bit of a misnomer, as it wasn’t just the Crystal Tower that fell, but the very land, forming the archipelago we know today. This admission puts the entire party in shock, as the forces required to such a thing seem unimaginable. The power the Dragon Emperor’s Consort must’ve had, as it was her plan are frightening.

Lupaa reveals that her and her sisters were installed as guardians here by a large number of people, including the leaders of the rebellion, the Dragon Emperor, and if her glance at Kottar meant what I think it did, the Devilfish. That final one might go a way to explaining the effects of Heaven’s Fall at least.

Turning back to more immediate concerns, we address the problem of the monkey-automatons running around the place. Lupaa has been able to hunt down and kill several, but confesses that there a more in place she simply can’t access, and apparently often hears machinery working in the distance. We encourage her to continue her hunts for now, but Chuq suggests she should be careful not to give away her lair, especially since we’re also leaving the Derich’s people with her.

We pile-up most of our pilfered magical weapons in Lupaa’s chamber, as we don’t feel like selling them to the Silver Throne for obvious reasons, only taking a few to appease them and prove we’re still working towards the goal. We also leave all of our rations for Derich’s group, as they’re likely going to be in the Lower City a while. As usual, I also leave my Power Armour in the chamber, as well as the new suit we’ve found.

As we head back to the surface, we see an Automonkey dragging a gear as big as himself cross our path. Before Thorfus can suggest following it, I throw an axe at it, which is swiftly followed by Chuq’s daggers. It’s damaged, and drops the gear and turns to run. Chuq runs after it. Thorfus attempts to follow, partially for mapping concerns, but loses them quickly as they leave the civic area on a general south-western heading. Realising he is getting far beyond the party, Chuq makes one final attack with his spear, mananging to kill the thing.

Retrieving its body, he returns to the rest of party, spotting another shape at the edge of his light at one point. He meets Thorfus and Belroar part way, and they chalk-mark the tunnels so we can follow them later.

The rest of the trip to the surface is uneventful outside of some distant hammering. At the top, we’re once again greeted by the dwarven guards. They ask after the naga, but we wave them off by saying we’ve come to blows with automatons, which is a distraction. The guards send a runner, a decide to lead us right to Marchmain to report in.

Chuq slinks off in the meantime to avoid Marchmain. Edan seems to be trying to hide amongst the party for now. We are shown in with respect as normal, ushered into the meeting room and offered drinks.

When Marchmain enters, he takes a moment to scan our party, remarking on Chuq’s absence and noticing Edan. Thorfus smoothly feeds the dwarf our cover story, which details a rescue from automatons that also caused the deaths of several of our number. This handily covers why we still hadn’t slain the naga. He does little to hide his disappointment though. They do act in shock when they realise Talon was amongst those slain, reportedly being fans of the books.

We turn to selling our artifacts, and begin with the magical and elven items to start big. They note the oddity of the manufacture of the elven gear, being similar to adamantine, but wish to confer with a smith, so one is bought in. From this it’s just a case of showcasing our various items and haggling, but all in all the party comes out with yet another huge number of gold and gems.

With our transactions complete, we decide to take our time on the surface to get in some more training, especially as it will be a few days before Marchmain can gather all the funds. Before we leave however, he asks if he can talk to the group alone.

He admits to having not been totally forthcoming, and explains that he didn’t know if he could trust us, as there are many forces arrayed against the dwarves and Curabel as a whole. Apparently he was even aware of our dealings with Talessin and Desric Threehorn. There are ongoing skirmishes between the Empire and the Silver Throne Company, where the former are subverting, sabotaging and stealing from the latter, and he brings up our own dealings with an Imperial Dervish and Inquisitor Jardin, although he thought there could be a chance we were working for the Empire, which is why he didn’t initially trust us.

He confirms our suspicions that the leader of the Empire is the same shapeshifting dragon that led the rebellion against the Ancient Dwarves, and explains that the Emperor’s war on Curabel is no longer just. It is believed that the Emperor is suffering from some homicidal madness from the war. Marchmain explains that this is why he wants our help, to find the sphere, free Xen’Tellar and put an end to the Dragon Emperor. To continue Bryce’s task.

I’m sure that the rest of the party mirrors my wariness in what Marchmain is telling us. Whilst everything the dwarf is saying is true, in at least interpretation, there is no telling how much he is omitting in talking to us, even with this odd amount of transparency. It’s clear that he in unaware of at least some of knowledge, namely that we have been talking to Lupaa, and the true identity of the entity trapped within the sphere he seeks.

Thorfus questions Marchmain about the Silver Throne’s other operations, who passes off the slavery ring as ‘unsanctioned’ and working with Imperial Agents. The company’s relationships with the two dwarven churches is uncovered as being only minor, due to poor information sharing, and again is blamed on Imperial influence, this time because of potential mind control to explain their amazing persuasiveness.

Marchmain is being quite persuasive here, saying that the end goal is to ensure Curabel remains free forever. Quite the politician, as obviously we cannot disagree that repelling the Imperial invasion is a good thing. Marchmain’s plan as a whole is to cut the Dragon Emperor off from ‘whatever he put in place of our God’ and reduce his power so they can then cut off the head, hopefully ending thier obsession with the islands.

We learn that Marchmain’s group, specifically focused on Ancient Dwarven technology was initially just a small faction of the Silver Throne, took over the company when they began to learn more about the old empires. They believe they’re currently excavating the base of the Crystal Tower on the Lonely Isle. Marchmain also confirms the existence of an ancestor with the same name as his, who was noted as not being very nice.

We bring up Alain Grell’s current piracy in the bay, and urge him to do something about it. Marchmain explains that he already has a bounty on his head, and the Midmark Navy is gunning for him.

When we make note of the growing Automonkey activity around Vargen, he wonders if they’re connected to the growing activity of the Dark King to the north, but says he doesn’t know much more, although agents are working on it.

During this whole thing, he inquires repeatedly after Chuq, our ‘monk friend’. We tell him he had things to take care of, but he seems dismayed by that, planning to mention something to the guards.

The meeting leaves us with much to think about, with how long we can keep putting off the tasks he put to us, the Silver Throne’s intentions and the ever looming Imperial threat. We all leave to find our seperate trainers.