Russel helps Sir Gorrid with moving what contents they need to take with them.

The trip down is rather short, and leads to a carved tunnel into the earth. It's clearly not a mining tunnel, but a fully finished path that would make normal mausoleum envious, with regular columns sustaining the ceiling, and various metal tubes along the walls, disappearing in ceilings and floors. It's even clean of dust or animal droppings... except for the large bloodstain around a dead body on the floor.

Before you move closer, Russel stops the group, pointing at discreet holes in the floor, as well as a section of floor looking slightly uneven with the rest.

Russel holds up his hand and then points to holes in the floor, as well as a section of floor looking slightly uneven with the rest.

"I think someone didn't see those," he said as he pointed them out.

"I'm also concerned that whoever went before left the body of a fallen companion behind. Those we are following may not be going this way, completely, on their own free will."

With progress into the tunnel temporarily halted by Russel's astute observation, Buck hangs back from the group and takes a moment to closely observe the earthen works of the tunnel. He places a palm to a nearby column, admiring the laborious stonework.

While the others mull over the likely trap before them, Buck closes his eyes and quietly breathes in the surprisingly non-stale air. As his fingers drag across the carved rock he wonders what great or terrible things such a space has bore witness to in its long history.

Buckthorn rolled 12 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 6,4.  Communion Of Whispers.

Sir Gorrid held back a little bit, but kept close to the thief and held his shield ready.  If something was going to shoot out, he'd do his best to keep it from hitting the smaller man.

quote:

13:33, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 11 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 5,5.  Defend Russel.

I'm not completely clear whether 'Defend' is a legal move against trap damage, but figured it was worth a shot :>

If it's legal, that's good for 3 hold

With Russel's guidance, you avoid the trap, heading deeper into the tunnel. It leads to a wider section, as the tunnel turns. You pause, as you notice the sound of dwarven machinery is now joined with the sound of metal clicking, growing closer and closer, until the light of your torches reflects on a metallic spider heading toward you.

Buck catches back up not long after communing with the exquisitely crafted halls. He starts relaying most of his impression on the subterranean works, drifting off in thought as he walks and talks;

"These dwarfs were quite daring, leaving their native lands far behind in the spirit of discovery." he begins, sounding impressed by more than just the actual stonework he's been admiring the entire walk so far. As he speaks his tone becomes noticeably more melancholy "I believe, at least in part, this complex is an ancient orrery. At some point the dwarfenkin here grew progressively more worried as time marched on, culminating in a saddening departure."

Buck snaps back to the present when the eight legged machine monstrosity commands everyone's attenion. "They left behind some of their mechanical servants." he blurts out in a startled shock.

That last line of dialogue is meant to give the impression it... might not be a complete, dangerous menace?

The paladin studied the creature and the tunnel area, trying to figure out what nature of threat, if any, the metal contraption posed, and what their options might be to deal with it.

quote:

12:21, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 10 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,5.  Discern realities.

What is about to happen?
What here is useful or valuable to me?
Who's really in control here?

"Well, that's certainly... something," Idi comments with some wonder as the mechanical spider clanks into view. He doesn't let his guard down though. He brings his shield up in front of him and steps forward to set his stance--just a half-pace back from Gorrid.


Just waiting to see what it does, or what answers Gorrid gets.

"Wow. I never thought I would see one of these in person!" Spriggy's tone almost sounded more excited than alarmed. However, he stayed alert hand raised his small shield just like some of the others had.

---

If these critters are powered by magic and also fall under my Bardic Lore (Spells and Magic), I would like to ask, "How can we get these things to view us as their masters (if even possible)."

Those clockwork creatures are pretty well known to anyone who likes exploring old dwarven ruins. Mostly because of how annoying they are. They do a very good job keeping the ruins in a good shape, as well as clearing out any critters trying to settle in... including curious adventurers looking for loot.

Their behavior is as much controlled by magic as by the mechanism inside them, making it nearly impervious to the usual tricks used to control or manipulate monsters. The normal method of getting past these yard-high bugs, is by smashing them to pieces.

On the upside, you remember the gyroscope in the upper part of the spider is often quite valuable.

Determining that fighting seemed to be the only option, Sir Gorrid began to pray, hoping that his god would aid him in making this a quick fight.

quote:

21:35, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 10 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,3.  Cast bless.
21:35, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 6,1.  Cast magic weapon.

I'll forget magic weapon.  Unless I don't have time to cast them both, in which case I guess I won't...

"Yup, we gotta squash the buggers," the bard said matter-of-factly. He wasted no time weaving together an arcane blast of magical energy and sending it at the malicious automaton. "Try not to damage their gyroscopes though. They fetch a fair price. It can be reimbursement for our troubles."

---

Casting Magic Missile at the robot.
23:35, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 11 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 6,2.  Cast Magic Missile at spider-bot.

Damage: 6
23:36, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 6 using 2d4 with rolls of 4,2.  Missile Damage.

Buck cringes at the thought of destroying such a skillfully constructed machination. However he can't be sure of its intentions and also can't immediately think of an effective way to combat such a unique  creation.

He impotently brings his spear to bear in support of Gorrid, Idi and the others.

The spider turns toward your group as you begin to cast, it's pincer snapping menacingly as it approaches. Spriggy's spell hits it dead on... but it barely stumbles under the attack.

OOC: You only had time for one spell before it gets into melee range. What do you do?

"I'm afraid your dungeon sweeping days are at an end critter..."

The knight opts to not bother with his sword, concerned he might damage it on the metal bits.  Instead, he plows into it, trying to force the legs backwards against their hinges and snap them off.

quote:

19:46, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 10 using d10+2d4 with rolls of 5,2,3.  Damage.

Using Exterminatus

After casting his spell, the skittering construct closed the distance between them so fast that it caught Spriggy off guard. "You speedy little-" He tried to bring his shield up to defend himself, but couldn't help but fumble his motions.

---

Using the Defend move.
18:43, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 3 using 2d6 with rolls of 2,1.  Defend: self.
Failure. +1 XP!

Russel is more familiar with mechanical things that don't move with a mind of their own. He has his sword at the ready to assist any that look to need it.
19:49, Today: Russel Albion rolled 6 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,5.  Assist.

The spider skitters toward Spriggy, throwing an electrical spark at the bard as he stumbles back. Gorrid steps in a moment after, tackling the thing back and smashing it into the wall. It's mechanics screech and grinds for a moment, before it's twitching legs stop moving.

Examining it more closely, you see Gorrid's blow knocked the gears inside out of alignment. You also manage to detach the gyro, and it's still in a good condition.

OOC: Spriggy takes 1 points of damage. The gyro is worth 15c, with a weight of 1.

The paladin checked to make sure Spriggy was doing all right, then helped with detaching the gyro.  He carried it until he found a place he could leave it and conceal it for the team to grab on their way back out.

"I believe those to be intended only for maintenance..." Buck recalls as the party moves on from the wrecked metal corpse, "... though if we venture across anything more humanoid or in ball form we had best have a better plan in place to combat it."

An impressive dispatch nonetheless he thinks, but doesn't voice his opinion on Gorrid's daring tackle.

"A plan sounds good.  Please share what you know - and your recommendations."

The knight waited patiently.  There was some urgency to moving forward, but a couple of minutes of talk now that could improve their chances of success later would be worth it.

"I..." Buck turns a bit red in the cheeks, embarrassed at having little constructive advice to offer, "... I regret I only have a hazy picture in my mind of what form stronger guardians might take."

Clearing his through he thinks quickly, "I'm not much for mechanical beings but perhaps water might disagree with them the way a pond might react to a lighting strike, destroying the fish within." he meagerly suggests, noting the spark that Spriggy was singed by. "Or perhaps we'd be the fish in that scenario, or perhaps they're simple lumbering brutes, or... I'm afraid I can't even wager beyond that."

Buck looks to the others for alternative suggestions, drawing his hood tighter when he thinks the attention is no longer entirely on him, relieved to be out of the spotlight.

As you discuss the matter, you go further along the corridor, until you find a room. It seems to be a vestibule. A side room is blocked by a metal door, and a corridor leads further into the depths, but your main focus is on the two metal spiders in the corner, resting in the corner. From the entrance, you see no signs of damage, so it's possible they're still working, just not active.

Still rubbing his minor injury, Spriggy continued forward with the others, keeping an eye out for more threats. When they spotted the spiders, he looked toward Russel. "Is it safe to approach them? We're not going to trigger anything to make them attack us, right?" He held up his shield well in advance this time, just in case.