Once the group was safely situated within the cart, Alyssa began navigating back through the dry landscape studded with sharp, black formations.  She was uncertain if the discharges from them decreased during the day or were simply harder to see.  Certainly, the density of the larger crystals increased as the cart got farther from the path down into the bowl.

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 1):

"Could you help me by watching for electrical discharges? I need to avoid them! They almost did me in when I drove last time." Alyssa calls out.

OOC: If anyone have any way of either neutralising electrical charges or a way of detecting them. It would be helpful. :)

Derrick shifts in his seat so that he has a better view of the path ahead and begins to look around. "Is there anything to look for? You and Artor navigated through this last night. If there's a trick, that will help me spot it."

In reply to Derrick (msg # 3):

"Well, there were sparks. I didn't really see the source of them yesterday due to the darkness. There also seemed to be patterns."

Derrick immediately begins looking around, trying to spot the patterns of the sparks and call out warnings as he sees dangers.

Derrick rolled 19 using 1d20.  Perception test (trained). Minor effect!

Derrick, now alerted to the fact that there is a pattern to (at least some of) the discharges, is able to pick out that pattern fairly quickly by observing the larger clusters of crystal farther away from the vehicle.  He is also able to pick up some of the tire tracks from the previous night's journey (which are presumably on a safer path), which helps Alyssa choose a safe route out of this zone of danger.  After a few miles, only the smallest of crystals are present, and no damage has come to the cart.

The route westward along the southern rim of the crater continues.

OOC: With the minor effect and the help, I'm just going to let you guys clear the fields of black shock crystal with no further delays.

So what are you doing/trying to do as you head toward where the river leaves the Great Bowl?  Let me know so I can assign appropriate rolls.  A (very rough) estimate would be a journey of at least 6 hours at top speed.

Chatting is also encouraged.

Pleased to leave the lightning fields behind them, Artor continued to scan the trail they had left - and the lands they passed through. He was curious what they might have disturbed, and how much, watching for whether whatever birds and small beasts returned after they had passed

From the rear, he called out to the others as they drove forward, "Tell of your hometown, Alyssa? Where were you intended before the Ninth World brought you to us?"

Given its a fresh morning, Artor's Flex skill will be Botany. He is keeping an eye on their backtrail from the rear of the vehicle but plans to examine the flora and fauna when they reach the area suggested for resettlement. Every now and then he will drop back or range to one side or other of the trail, looking for samples, or rummage through the crates to refamiliarise himself with the seedlings they brought with them

In reply to Artor (msg # 7):

"There's not much to say about that place. It was... is a small farming community. When it was clear that I was born with special abilities I was trained to be the village healer. I very recently took over the position when my mentor passed away." Alyssa does not mention that her previous occupation, although satisfying was a lonely one. The villagers had both looked up to her for help, but also feared her special abilities.

Once clear of the shock crystals, Derrick settles back to watching behind the cart for any dangers that might approach from the rear. "Agatho and I have been to many such villages. You did not journey far afield then?"

In reply to Derrick (msg # 9):

"Not farther than the next village occaisionally." Changing the subject Alyssa asks "So what kind of threat requires us to build a new settlement? Is it man or nature?"

"It is the Ninth World", muttered Artor from the rear, "It encroaches upon the town, but the form it takes is other folk. Attacks from the Caecilian Jungle have become increasingly common, cannibals and raiders. They cannot maintain the town, having proved too ... tasty"

In reply to Artor (msg # 11):

"WHAT? They actually eat other sentient beings?!" Alyssa suddenly feels the urge to get to their destination quicker and hits the accelerator.

“They were unclear”, admitted Artor, “But those were the rumours. Certainly the town was being attacked more and more frequently, folk were disappearing “

In reply to Artor (msg # 13):

"Hmm... so has anyone investigated these rumours? I mean people can disappear for a number of reasons." Alyssa smiles. "Take me for example."

The older man sighs, with an empathetic glance at Hoa Sen, and speaks gently.

"Before arriving at the town, Derrick and I came upon the remains of a group that had been attacked, likely by abhuman raiders.  There were no survivors, and little remains.  One of them had been on his way to meet Hoa Sen, but he never made it."

Out of view at the back, Artor grunted and nodded

Derrick shakes his head sadly. "The town itself is well defended, but the outlying farms and anyone traveling to or from it are vulnerable. Even if they can remain safe inside, eventually the food will run out. So we were given what they could spare and sent to find a place the raiders won't follow them."

As the vehicle heads westward, the Veil continues to loom to the south.  While it was 20 miles or so away, it still towered over everything.  The lip of the Great Bowl continued its cracked rise to the north.

The landscape seemed almost level, dotted with odd rock clusters and bits of scrub vegetation here and there.  It seemed quite akin to the deserts surrounding Canthus.  No movement could be seen on the ground at this time.  Perhaps what hardy life there was kept itself hidden from the heat of the day.

In the skies, a few circling carrion birds(?) could be seen, but they were far off and seemed to take no notice of the silvery intruder in their hunting grounds.

To the west, bits of green and other richer colors warped through the ripples of heat, promising more fertile grounds.

"Westward?" suggested Artor during one of his pauses walking beside the conveyance, "For whilst this terrain is homely enough for the folk of Canthus, food will be needed and plenty of it"

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 18):

"Is the beasts I encountered earlier edible? I don't really know much about farming. I was mostly given food as payment for my services." Alyssa chuckles. "Had a herb garden, but it was mostly full of weeds. My mentor never told me the secret of growing things. Perhaps she was blessed with green fingers."

Derrick looks over at Artor. "Hopefully, the land where the river flows out is better for growing things."

He nods in solidarity in response to Alyssa. "I've never had a chance to keep a garden or raise animals. Most of what we've encountered have been predators. The Canthans gave us some special plants that they say will help us determine if the land we find will support them."

"The plants themselves aren't special," Hoa Sen said, "but they've been treated to grow quickly. They're all staple crops for the Canthans. If they can grow inside the Veil, then it will be much easier to create a sustainable settlement. Hunting alone cannot sustain many."

In reply to Hoa Sen (msg # 22):

"Well then, I guess we have a target area to investigate then. So how quick does these plants grow? I guess the Canthans..." Alyssa hesitates. "Is that what the villagers call themselves?"

Shrugging, Artor offered his agreement, "I recall a few of what the elders said about their plants. Let us investigate this greener path and see what is there ... then we can see about planting some samples"

As hours pass, there are little diversions and stopovers.  There are a few gullies and rifts that need to be navigated around.  Occasional odd bits of metal or ceramic catch the Jack's eye enough to prompt a stop, but don't amount to much in the way of clues or directions.

As you move westward, though the plants do become more numerous and occasionally taller.  Succulents and scrub slowly give way to grasses and shrubs.  All the while, the warping green in the distance beckons.

Taking a meandering route southward to get around a particularly wide gully, the party notices a set of what seem to be odd, low hills to the southwest.  The landscape here is beginning to undulate more, and the odd hills seem to rise from a hollow in the stagnant waves of the soil.  Continued attention reveals that the hills seem to be moving, if in a disordered fashion, and certainly a relaxed pace.  You can make out at least 15 of various heights.

OOC: if there is anything you wanted to try as you were driving, speak now.  Otherwise, carry on.

Derrick points out the moving hills to the others. "I think those might be worth checking out. We ought to be sure of any potential dangers on the route. Perhaps we should leave the cart to make sure it isn't damaged though."

In reply to Derrick (msg # 26):

Alyssa looks at the moving hills flabbergasted. "Is that a phenomenon anyone of you have experienced before? Looks dangerous." She chews a bit on her lip uncertain of what to do. She then smiles one of her beaming smiles that make people feel at ease around her. "But I guess it's something we need to investigate."

She nods in agreement at Derrick's suggestion.

The rolling hills that lead to the moving ones are easy enough to navigate, although they provide a poor view at the moment.  As the group crests a rise overlooking a grassy, shallow valley that runs roughly north-south, they get their first good look at their objective.

What they see is not geography, but biology.  Great, multi-legged creatures that seem like a monstrous, armored cross between a long-necked turtle and a tardigrade with impossibly long legs come into view in a slow, meandering herd.  Perhaps 30 of the creatures are spread out over a mile or more, slowly grazing on vegetation below.

OOC: You've come about 3/4 of a mile from the cart.  You can make a Perception or other check to notice additional info.  If you do, please let me know what, specifically, you're looking for.

Derrick surveys the area for dangers. He keenly remembers yesterday's mechanical bird attack and is not going to be taken off guard again if he can help it.

Derrick rolled 8 using 1d20.  Perception test (trained). Derrick is looking for predators or threats. That might extend to the giant creatures as well.

Seeing nothing, Derrick relaxes a little and just watches the behemoths.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Mon 27 July 2020.

"Grazers, but how enormous!" Hoa Sen says. The arkus observes the creatures carefully. It would take a savvier biologist than her to make sense of the creature's anatomy and potential capabilities, but anything this size had to have a significant impact on the local environment.

OOC: 22:13, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 15 using 1d20.  Perception (trained).
She's trying to get some sense of what's going on at ground level and especially how what the landscape looks like the wake of the giant creatures.

Alyssa tries to recall what she has learnt about similar herd animals from books she has read and what people with more animal experience than she has told her. Perhaps these beasts can be tamed?

17:40, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 7 using 1d20.  Knowledge about similar beasts. Intellect check  (spending effort to decrease the difficulty).
This message was last edited by the player at 15:41, Tue 28 July 2020.

The older man regards the herd with interest, stretching forth his Perceptive and Empathetic senses...

RPoL Dice Roller:

18:13, Today: Agatho rolled 11 using 1d20.  Perception.

OOC: By observation and/or direct empathy, Agatho seeks insight into the possible emotions, motivations, instincts, behaviors, etc. of the creatures within the herd, including deducing such things for their recent past and immediate future.

”They are lighter than they should be. See how shallow the footprints are.” Hoa Sen points to the creatures’ wake. ”The smaller ones seem younger. Their shells are not so complete. I wonder how they manage such size, but they seem peaceful enough.”

"Hmm... perhaps that's due to their many legs. With that kind of size and natural protection they can't really be prone to be attacked by predators I guess."

The large herbivores (?) continue their very slow munching and meandering in the shallow valley.  Occasionally, small, bird-like creatures will land on them and hop around, or swoop in to investigate a recently made footprint.

Artor's investigations of the flora near the cart and your vantage point yields nothing particularly shocking or useful, although he continues to make examinations before resting in the back seat to wait for the others.

Derrick, not having noticed the details that Hoa points out, turns his attention to focus on those same details. He nods in agreement with Alyssa. "I expect that it is like Alyssa says. It would take a very large animal or a group working closely together to fell one of those behemoths. If they're no threat though, perhaps we don't need to worry about them?"

In reply to Derrick (msg # 36):

"Well, since they seem to be herbivores they could potentially eat crop, but perhaps they live solely on grass?" Alyssa strokes her chin. "I guess they could be potential trouble."

In reply to Alyssa Yulo (msg # 37):

"Anyway, I guess there's nothing we can do about these magnificient beasts now. Good to know they're here. Should we continue?"

Derrick nods his ascent, turns, and heads back to the cart.

Back in the exertion-saving vehicle, the travels of the scouting party resumes. The terrain continues become greener as the group moves eastward.  The grasses and succulents become denser, more prolific, and more frequent.  After navigating the shallow valley of the large walking beasts, more rolling hills are visible with occasional rocky prominences and spires jutting up from the surface.  To the southeast, the group occasionally spies what seem to be small copses of trees interspersed between herds of smaller-sized creatures.

Due east, the greenery grows ever closer.

OOC: if you want to look for or look at anything in particular, let me know.

"Should we investigate those smaller creatures?" Alyssa suggests.

"We could. It would be useful to know what the Canthans might be able to hunt." Hoa Sen pauses, considering. "Although it may best to search for a site first, then determine which creatures around it are potentially useful or potential threats. To state the obvious: it is not always obvious which are which."

In reply to Hoa Sen (msg # 42):

"So what are we looking for exactly? A place with a fresh water supply I guess? Never thought I would be scouting for a settlement." Alyssa laughs. "It has been interesting so far though."

Derrick nods his agreement with Hoa. "Yes. I think that we should make our way to where the river exits the bowl and pick a place to set up camp and plant the seeds that the Canthans gave us. There will be time to investigate once there is a base of operations."

The drive continues.  The scenery changes slowly but inexorably.  The hills become grassier.  The copses of trees are larger and more frequent.  Occasional small ponds (or the dried remnants of them) can be spotted occasionally, in the lowest areas.  There are more rocky outcroppings dotting the landscape, some quite large and formidable.

At this point, the cart seems to be five to ten miles from what looks to be a tree line.

OOC: You can give me Perception rolls again, and include anything specific you might be looking for, please.

While still keeping an eye out for threats, Derrick also looks ahead to watch for signs of the river.

Derrick rolled 15 using 1d20.  Perception (trained).

In reply to Derrick (msg # 46):

Alyssa keeps a look out for anything that seems to be from one of the previous worlds. Overgrown buildings, numenera or other things that seems to be out of place.

OOC: 07:42, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 5 using 1d20.  Perception check.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:42, Thu 06 Aug 2020.

Derrick points to the distant tree line. "We should make for that line of trees. Such things often indicate water, it may be the river."

In reply to Derrick (msg # 48):

"Ah of course. And it might mean some shade as well." Alyssa smiles.

The road trip (sans road) continues.  Some of the creatures on the plains are able to be identified as smaller herds of aneen, although the color of their fur seems strange, blue stripes on some, perhaps?  Yellowish spots on others?  The herds retreat from the unexpected sight of the rolling machine, so the eccentricities cannot be examined too closely.

Odd rock formations continue to pop up here and there.  A large one is visible many miles to the south.  The shape and color, at least of the middle (?) section don't seem to match the surrounding rocks, but that's all that can be discerned at this distance.  Morning bleeds into noon falls into afternoon.  More grasses, more copses, and more watering holes dot the landscape.

Hoa Sen watches quietly as the treeline gets closer, though her attention is eventually diverted by the mismatched rock formation in the distance. "If there is a band in which the trees are not too thick along the river, that may be ideal. Access to both the water and the plain would work well for a settlement."

Another mile passes and the cart begins to slow its pace through the long grass.  Shrubs are more abundant and larger, requiring a more circuitous route.  It's still about 2 miles to the tree line (maybe?).  The cart will likely make it, but will not be well-suited should a hasty retreat be required.

Derrick begins looking around for a place to hide the cart. "It might be better to hide the cart in one of these copses of trees and continue on foot. We can come back and move it to the final site once we're sure everything is safe. Leaving it behind will allow us to approach quietly." He looks around at his companions, not sure if everyone might prefer to just continue to push forward in the cart.

In reply to Derrick (msg # 53):

"Good idea. I need to stretch my legs anyway." Alyssa is amazed of the capabilities of the cart, but it does lack proper leg space.

Alyssa finds a shady copse to park by.  Circling it once, there is no sign of larger creatures which might damage the machine.  A few insects and small birds are scared away, though.

The solid tree line seems to start about a mile and a half to the east.  It runs along a line roughly northwest to southeast.  Trees grow right up to the edge of the Great Bowl, although you cannot see within it from here.

Once the cart is safely parked, Derrick hops out and leads the way towards the line of trees. He is cautious as always as the group moves, but his focus is ahead. "The trees will make for good building materials, but if that is the river, there will be a lot of work to clear a site right next to it."

"Building any kind of new settlement is a lot of work," Hoa Sen says. "The trickiest part may be finding or creating adequate tools. The people will have only what they can carry. Hopefully we may find sites where materials can be salvaged, though I doubt it will be safe."

She looks ahead to the tree line. "And I expect the trees have their own kind of danger."

In reply to Hoa Sen (msg # 57):

"The trees? Dangerous?" Alyssa gives Hoa a look of perplexed confusion.

"While it's possible the trees themselves are dangerous, I was thinking more of what might live among them. Water will draw prey and predator alike." Hoa Sen replies.

In reply to Hoa Sen (msg # 59):

"Ah." Alyssa nods when she hears Hoa's explanation.

The route eastward is rolling, and pools of water can be seen in many of the depressions along the way.  Often, the water line was surrounded with mud pitted and scraped by many a hoof, paw, and claw.  None of the pools seem very deep, but it's impossible to tell without closer exploration.

There seems to be no particular delineation between one set of plants and another.  The bushes and shrubs become more numerous.  Trees become a bit taller and more frequent.  The grass itself becomes taller and denser in patches.

OOC: Please include a Perception check with your next post.

Alyssa investigates the muddy tracks of the various creatures that come and drink here, curious if she can identify any of the beasts that frequent this area.

22:55, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 6 using 1d20.  Perception check.

Derrick lets the others focus on the details of the area while keeping his own eyes out for danger. He is still eager to reach the river, though the pools of water are yet another encouraging sign.

Derrick rolled 12 using 1d20.  Perception check. Trained.

The older man looks thoughtfully at the more prevalent greenery.  There is something about being in Creation that draws him nearer to the Creator.

The tracks of various creatures speaks of a land able to support life... but can it support the refugees that have sent him upon this journey?

He stretches out his empathic senses as they travel, seeking to sense what can be sensed of whatever nearby inhabitants...

RPoL Dice Roller:

17:45, Today: Agatho rolled 4 using 1d20.  Perception.

OOC: If one of the trees walks up and bites me on the leg, I *might* notice... ;)

Hoa Sen's attention bounces between the grass and the increasingly elevated tops of the scrub and trees. Perhaps she is wary of the last time they walked into an environment like this, when she managed to "find" a trap.


21:14, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 18 using 1d20.  Perception (trained).

At the small pools, some of the tracks are familiar, although aneen are the only ones easily identifiable.  Creatures with longer, sharper claws have been by, too.

Beyond that, nothing yet seems to stand out much about the landscape itself.  It mostly just seems like a more verdant area of the world with no "civilization" occupying it.

Returning from his foraging as the others conceal the conveyance in the shade of copse, Artor eventually catches up with them at the waterline. His eyes are upon them, the pools and tracks and unusually-patterned aneen dismissed in the intensity of his regard. Tucked about his person are cuttings and samples, twigs and leaves and nuts and berries he has collected as he ranged behind and around them

Laughing, he emerges from the tall grass, "You would fear trees if you had seen them hunting men, Mistress Alyssa. Fell, they can be, when the mood strikes them"

23:03, Today: Artor rolled 3 using 1d20.  Perception - Trained

"We're being watched," Hoa Sen says, conversationally, tilting her head toward the treeline. She doesn't know how well the thing can hear, but she doesn't drop her voice all the way to a whisper. "I believe it's a...nevajin. It may know something about the area."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Sat 22 Aug 2020.

“What kind of tree is a Nevakin?”, asked Artor softly

Once Hoa has pointed out the figure, the rest of you are able to spot it in the distance, along the tree line.  It seems to be a broad humanoid, but little more than a silhouette and a few highlights.  It is perhaps half a mile, or three quarters of a mile distant.  It does seem to be looking in your direction.

"They are symbionts and, by reputation at least, information collectors." Hoa Sen explains. "I don't think that it is likely to be a threat, nor do I think that it will share what it knows without an exchange of some sort."

Artor blinked twice, tilting his head to one side to consider the distant humanoid, "Such knowledge that it possesses would hasten our investigations here, it seems. If it can be trusted, indeed bargained with"

The older man considers thoughtfully.

"If they are willing to let me touch them, then I could make a telepathic connection with them to communicate.  Do you think that they would be willing to allow such a thing?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Mon 24 Aug 2020.

Derrick peers at the figure that Hoa has pointed out. "We should also see what we have that we are willing to trade. Will it take cyphers in exchange for information do you think?"

In reply to Derrick (msg # 74):

"Well, I have some I'm glad to trade if need be. Or does an information broker perhaps want more information?" Alyssa suggests.

Glancing up at the treeline, Artor shrugged at the question of trade, "Let us go to him?"

Hoa Sen nodded cautiously. "Mind, I have never actually met one. I know of them primarily from my studies in Qi." She rolled her shoulders and flexed her fingers—gestures that those who had traveled with her long enough might recognize as her equivalent of loosening a sword in its sheathe. "I don't believe it will be aggressive, but let us be sure not to give it any reasons to fret."

Artor nodded at Hoa Sen's suggestion, though his eyes flicked to the glaive he held - nearly his own height - and smiled, "Of course. We shall tread lightly"

"I'll stay in the back." Derrick says this somewhat self-consciously as he lets the others pass him.

As the party moves across the rolling grassland, the figure by the forest simply watches.  When they've closed about half the distance to it, the nevajin turns and begin walking south (south east?) along treeline, occasionally looking back to see if it is still followed.  The nevajin walks slowly and it is easy to gain ground on it.

Leading the way for his newly-refound companions, Artor strode purposefully through the short grass his glaive sweeping ahead now and then. His robes and ribbons and rags flicked and danced in whatever light wind stirred the grass and beside them nielle black tendrils that swayed regardless of it. When the nevajin began his amble, his strides lengthened seeking to catch them up before too long along the treeline

Derrick, from the back, pipes up. "Looks like they want us to follow them."

"Clearly." Hoa Sen says, matching her pace to Artor's. "I hope that it's idea of interesting is not the kind that's a hazard to us."

After perhaps another mile of walking, when the group had nearly caught up to the creature, the nevajin stopped and turned to face the party.  They spoke in a voice that seemed both whispery and easily heard.  They brought an arm up to their chest and said, "Nagihsa"  The "head" portion floated away from the body, moving independently as it scanned the group and connected by dark ribbons of ... matter? energy? to the burly frame.

OOC: The pink word above marks the start of the new word-association quest.  Figure out what ties all the words together and you get XP!  This one is admittedly very difficult, so it is worth 4 XP.  For those who want to read backwards ...

The previous word association quest is still available for those who have not already solved it.  That is worth 2 XP.

Good luck!

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 84):

Believing that the nevajin introduced themselves, Alyssa mimicked the being's hand movement and answered "Alyssa"

"Hoa Sen." Hoa Sen says, offering a shallow bow. "Do you speak Truth?" She pauses briefly. [Language unknown: "A een kordin-verica u Laar?"]"

[Language unknown: "M urnc een saneveart,"], they say, somehow managing to whisper sounds akin to birds chittering.

"Truth will suffice," they add.

"That's helpful." Remarks Derrick from the back of the group.

"Oh, I'm called Derrick." He adds after a moment. He is somewhat distracted by the nevajin's head.

Intrigued, Artor reflected their gesture and brought his own arm close to his chest, concentrating all the while. His own darkness was less under his command, but he sought to encourage a roiling shadow across his shoulders and biceps.

When he spoke, his emphasis was subtle but there to hear rather than a misspeaking, "I speak True; I am Artor. You wished to speak with us?"

There seems to be no special reaction (on the creature's part) to Artor's "display". Nagihsa says, as their arms slowly gesture, "You seek.  I seek."  The sounds the nevajin is making do not seem to match the motions of their lips.  Still, the communication is clear, if just at the edges of audibity.

"There are barriers.  Bargain?"

"What kind of barriers?", asked Artor solemnly, noting the complications of humour and wondering whether that was it, "And what kind of bargain?"

With Nagihsa not appearing to be a threat, Derrick decides to let the negotiators handle any potential bargain and turns his attention to watching the surrounding area.

"I seek specific remnants of a prior world.  I know the location, but access is complicated.  That is the barrier."  Nagihsa pauses and looks all of you over again, perhaps assessing your capabilities.  Or trustworthiness.  Perhaps he is looking at things you cannot even perceive.

"You open.  I collect what I seek.  The remainder is yours.  That is the bargain."

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 93):

"I understand. So is this barrier close?" Alyssa asks.

Nodding at Alyssa's question, Artor followed up with one of his own, "Do you know how to get past the complications, or do we need to solve them too? What blocks access, or who?"

The nevajin narrows its eyes.  "Is a pact agreed?"

Hoa Sen bows again, shallowly from the waist. "Good nevajin, we would prefer to know more about what we might face before we enter into a pact. While our lives may understandably mean little to you, or even to ourselves, we have crossed the Veil on behalf of others. It is not merely our own lives we will be risking against the complications of...accessing the site."

Persuade to try and get a little more info:

19:55, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 8 using 1d20.  Persuasion (Trained).

Nagihsa looks at you all again.  "Some physical impediment exists.  The portal is locked.  Within is not wholly knowable."  They nod.  "I will proceed alone once the portal is opened."

Nagihsa turns and looks off to the sky for a moment or two.  Turning back, they ask, "Decision?"

The older man gently steps forward with a friendly and respectful nod.

"I am Agatho.  Well met, Nagihsa.  'Peace be unto you.'"

"Hoa Sen speaks true.  What we seek is for others: a new home, with friendly neighbors."

"Our first duty is to find such a home for them, and to bring them word quickly."

"Therefore, whatever we do together, we do not have much time before we must depart."

"We would like to be friends with you, and with your people, even after your errand."

"We would like you to advise us regarding this place, to help newcomers settle safely and peacefully."

"I am willing to bargain to help you with what you seek.  Can you help us with what we seek?"

Character Sheet:

(T) Empathic: Tasks involving sensing other emotions, discerning dispositions, and getting a hunch about people around you
(T) Empathic: All tasks involving social interaction, pleasant or otherwise

Nagihsa closes their eyes for a few seconds before answering.  "I have no people here.  The task is less than a day."

They pause a moment and then add, "Your share will aid your search."

The older man considers, and nods.

"I also seek knowledge, both of these lands and in general.  If you are willing to trade knowledge as we journey to the location, then I for one am willing to aid you if my companions agree."

The older man looks inquiringly at his companions...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:38, Wed 02 Sept 2020.

In reply to Agatho (msg # 101):

"Sounds like a good trade to me. And it would be scouting the area, wouldn't it?"

"Cast the bones, let us see what lies within", affirmed Artor, with a feral smile

Derrick nods. "Probably better to look into this 'portal' now rather than later."

Nagihsa nods and begins to walk at an angle into the trees.  "Four questions you may ask that I will answer should I have pertinent information."  Even facing away from you, their whispery voice is fully comprehended.

The nevajin winds their way through brush, over fallen logs, and around the buttresses of towering trees deeper into the woods.

The older man considers, and looks at his companions.

"Perhaps it would be wise to first decide together on the best four questions to ask before proceeding to query our nevajin friend..."

In reply to Agatho (msg # 106):

"Sounds like a good idea. Hmm... should we ask why they want to enter the portal? It wouldn't be anything that would be harmful to our attempt to find a good spot for the new village?"

Derrick considers. "I think we should ask about the area. Perhaps Nagihsa understands more about the Veil or the Aix. We could ask about that mysterious invisible presence who has seemed to help us."

"Perhaps whether the presence of New Canthus here would be of concern, to them or those they know?"

As Nagihsa wends their way, they slow and point to a strange pillar of drit, riddled with little holes.  A few metallic blue, many-legged creatures scurry from hole to hole.  "Caution.  They bite."  Their pace never slows.

"Once our pact is concluded, the time of queries is concluded also, questioned asked or not."  The nevajin continues along some path known only to them.

"Do try and note the landmarks as we go," Hoa Sen says to her companions. "It would be troublesome to use a question simply to find the return path."

"I am curious about Edgewood Dirk. The Veil is a mystery the Order would dearly love to understand, but it is perhaps tangential to our mission. I am more curious about the Aix and their 'wise voices,' as well as the potential of learning about other sites like the Shock Fields that may provide useful salvage."

Artor nodded, "Perhaps you and Agatho must pose our questions, learned priests that you are"

In reply to Artor (msg # 112):

"You know the language of the Aix. Doesn't that mean you understand them? Or are their minds alien to humans?" Alyssa queries.

After a few more minutes of walking, the nevajin approaches a small hill partially obscured by trees and brush.  As you follow them around it, the top of the "hill" reveals itself as a geodesic dome, white, dusty, and intact.

Following Nagihsa, the hexagons reveal themselves to be the roof of some sort of structure mostly buried in the drit, slighty askew from a vertical position.  Your guide walks around to a lower spot in the surrounding ground and points to the structure.  The top of a frame of some kind is visible, protruding from the walls of the building.

"The portal.  This was the workshop of Gibenig."

As the group walks, Derrick nods his agreement with Artor. "Yes, Hoa you can ask about the strange voice. I think that is a good first question."

When the group arrives at their destination, Derrick eyes the 'portal' for a moment before moving off. Always one for relatively straight forward solutions, he walks the perimeter of the strange dome to look for another possible entrance.

Hoa Sen, despite the alleged power of her Order, walks like one who has covered many leagues on foot. The quiet conversations between the explorers break things up as they mull exactly which questions to present to the neavajin. When something at least resembling consensus is reached, Hoa Sen smoothly extends her stride to catch up to their guide.

"The first of our questions, Nagihsa, if it please you." While the arkus doesn't believe the nevajin would stand on ceremony, she has found that a modicum of politesse rarely goes astray. "We seek a site for refugees to establish a new settlement. Which sites outside the Great Bowl might allow safety and prosperity, and in what proportions?"

Smiling, Artor watched the nevajin as Hoa Sen asked their question: between the answr and the geodesic dome, the next hours would prove interesting

The nevajin turned their head and seemed to stare at nothing for a while.  Eventually, they answered in that same whispery voice, just on the edge of audibility, yet clearly undestood, staring at Hoa with unblinking eyes.

"For humans, I must assume, to look at you all.  The Aix have no need to settle outside the Great Bowl."  The creature's great barrel chest heaved with a great breath, although the face did not change.

"For prosperity, your greatest chances are along the river, by the edges of the forest.  North or south matters little.  There is water and soil suitable for growing.  The dangers are-" they pause a moment.  "Typical, I suppose, of this world.  There are no armies or great forces along the river to trouble you, but there are predators.  Beware the rains, of course, rare though they may be.  Apart from this green ribbon though, perhaps you might find viability through the gate, just beyond the north rim.  There are conditions for growth there, too, I believe, but I have not visited there myself.  It is-" Again a pause for thought.  "More distant than it first seems, and the journey more complicated."

"Beware the rains?", echoed Artor, half to himself, though he tried to keep the questionning tone from his voice

"Oh... that wasn't really a question we wanted answered, more of a spoken thought. I think we all know what heavy rains can do" Alyssa interrupts before another answer is given.

“What? Oh. Yes. Of course”

Nagihsa merely grunts and remains silent.

The nevajin looks at the dirt blocking the path to the "portal".

"Do you need a shovel?", they ask.

Hoa Sen refrains, for the moment, from following up about the rain. If it is acidic, so be it, but if it is a hazard more along the lines of the Iron Wind... The Aix had mentioned that the buildings at the top and bottom of the Bowl's rim were shelters from the storms...

She studies the bit of exposed frame, then looks at the others before pacing closer. The arkus speaks as she does. "Aside from the Aix, are there significant populations of sapients that might become enemies or allies to a refugee settlement?"

Nagihsa scratches their head a moment.  "The world is vast and there are any number of abhuman tribes that would gleefully slaughter human settlers.  Lattimors, varjellan, even groups of mutants might make fair allies, if the correct approach is used.  Might." His words are almost a hissing, and somehow his mouth movements do no match the sounds that reach your ears.

"But I am guessing that you mean specifically within the bounds of the Veil."  He stares up at the tree branches for a time.  "The Aix, yes.  And something older, more alien, more insular.  Generally they are bound beneath the surface and, I have not seen them with my eyes."

While Hoa asks the questions, Derrick moves over to the dirt blocked "portal" and begins to think about how to most efficiently dig through it. He thinks to himself that a shovel would actually be quite helpful, but decides that Nagihsa was probably joking. He thinks about trying to use his shield as an improvised implement, but decides he will need some kind of handle to attach to it so he starts looking around for a good branch.

In reply to Derrick (msg # 126):

"I guess we could need a shovel" Alyssa answers the Nevajin, carefully not to phrase what she's saying as a question.

After a few minutes of searching, Derrick finds a branch on the ground that he thinks will work to convert his shield into a shovel.

Derrick spends a few minutes trying to tie the stick to his shield, but each time he then goes to start digging, it slips out of the lashing. Eventually, he settles for using it without the stick, simply thrusting it into the pile of dirt with his hands. The method isn't particularly effective, but better than nothing.

"What do you know of the entity the Aix call Edgewood Dirk?" Hoa Sen asks, still mulling Nagihsa's words. The Aix's "Wise Ones" clearly had some role here inside the Veil, and seemed to be a driving force on the Aix's desire to limit outsiders. (She recalled, too, the Aix's mentions of something "below.")

The arkus moves to help Derrick, pushing the dirt he has cleared away from the entrance to ensure that he continues to have space to work.

In reply to Hoa Sen (msg # 130):

Alyssa kneels down and tries to help best as she can with the shoveling, using her hands. She doesn't seem to be bothered about the dirt or the fact that her dress gets dirty.

As some slow progress is being made at excavating the portal Nagihsa identified, they consider their answer.  Eventually they begin speaking again.

"I know little of him.  He has not chosen to speak to me.  I have heard the Aix speak of him."  Nagihsa looks to toward the ground for a moment or two, in a direction away from the buried building.  The body shifts position a bit while the head remains still.  They continue, "He ... confuses them.  He comes and goes as he pleases.  But he seems to have an interest in them, perhaps their well-being.  That is only a guess.   I would also surmise that he does not exist just in this plane of existence, although I don't know where else he may reside."

The nevajin falls silent and watches the digging.

The excavation slowly reveals what seems to be a sturdy metal doorway.  A panel of sort is affixed to the building next to it.  Presuming it is roughly human-sized, the doorway is about 1/3 (ish) revealed so far.

Alyssa kneels down and investigates the panel beside the doorway. She guesses that it might be some sort of door control and if deciphered would let them open the door.

17:36, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 2 using 1d20.  Understanding the workings of the panel. I assume i can use my Understanding Numenera skill for this... Pretty poor roll though.

Alyssa's initial investigation yields no insights.  For all she can tell, the panel may be decorative.

Derrick continues to dig as Alyssa investigates the panel. He is starting to sweat slightly from the effort.

Whilst Derrick continues to break the earth, Artor knees opposite where Alyssa is studying the panel, and bends himself to clearing a wide frame around the doorway, the dirt from the edges of the door itself and so forth. When the opportunity presents, he uses his hands to heave great clods to one side or the other

"We have encountered Edgewood Dirk both inside and outside the Veil. There is reason to doubt that he bothers with traversing the space as we do." Hoa Sen says. "Our final question, Nagihsa, and we will thank you for holding your half of the bargain as we endeavor to bear up ours. Which are the greatest threats to a new settlement—mostly humans, but some lattimor as well—outside the Great Bowl but inside the Veil, particularly were we to select a site along the river?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Thu 15 Oct 2020.

Nagihsa is quiet for a while as they survey the work.  "Will consider my answer and provide it once the portal is opened."  They fall silent again.  From time to time, as they sit, they will look in different directions, although no particular trigger for their glance is seen or heard.

Hoa bows to the nevajin. There seems to be little more she can add to the digging, at least from here. "Would you like to take turns, Derrick?"

"Someone might help me to figure out what this panel is for? Might only be decorative, but I'm not certain of that." Alyssa suggests.

Beneath his mask, Artor smiled and the porcelain reflected it outward. Wordlessly he stood, passing it to Hoa Sen so that he might investigate the panel with their newest member

Derrick takes a step back and stretches his back before gesturing for Hoa. "You're welcome to take a turn."

At Alyssa's words, the older man straightens up from his digging somewhat stiffly, and moves over to examine the panel with Artor...

RPoL Dice Roller:

18:32, Today: Agatho rolled 10 using 1d20.  Understanding Numenera (Trained).

Agatho lowers himself into the slowly deepening pit and begins a study of the panel, aided by Artor's observations.  Eventually discovering the right pattern of contacts and movements, he is able to activate the panel and open the portal.  The door slowly grinds its way to the left, abrading itself along the remaining rock and soil on its lower portion.  A dim space lurks beyond, lit by the semi-translucence of the ceiling panels.  A slow cloud, the dusty stench of abandoned millennia, wafts out and is consumed by the humidity of the forest.

Nagihsa nods.  "Well figured, humans.  Now, once the path inside is sufficient for my size, I will answer your final question before retrieving the items I seek."  Nagihsa's expression changes into something inscrutable, although it may just be the nevajin version of a smile.

Still untrusting their benefactor, Artor nodded. After a moment's hesitation, he was the first to step inside

Nagihsa, who had begun walking toward the door when it opened, stopped at Artor's intrusion.

"Unwise," it hissed.  It stops and stares into the dark doorway.

Artor raised an eyebrow, his foot lifted to step across the threshold, "Why?"

As Artor turns to Nagihsa to ask the question, a vicious spike erupts from the floor and impales his foot, carrying with it a jolt of electricity that rocks the jack's body.

"Because you have not disabled the protective measures, yet," answers Nagihsa.

Derrick reacts quickly, though not quickly enough to save Artor's foot. He dives forward and tries to yank the Jack back out of the doorway before any more "protective measures" are triggered.

Hissing in pain, Artor held back Derrick as his companion grasped for him. His mask writhed with the effort that was being expended in withholding a cry. Teeth gritted, however, and he cursed in Truth

Slowly, his foot pulsing with blood and void and anenomae-like tendrils of nielle-green energies, he withdrew it, wrapping it swiftly in rags. Wisps of smoke heralded the slightest of scents of charred meat, which he sniffed at as he finally stood, leaning moreso on the haft of his glaive.

Nagihsa asks, in their odd, sibilant whisper, "May I proceed, now, humans?  The path will be much safer when I am done."

"Agatho, Alyssa, could you please quickly check to see if that was the only protection? I imagine it will reset?" Hoa Sen does not sound especially sure about the latter. She moves to offer Artor support if he needs it, but otherwise endeavors to stay out of the way.

"No need," hisses Nagihsa.  They pull a small device from their ... pocket?  Fold?  It seems to made of metal and synth.  "It may take a bit of time," they say as they shuffle toward the door.  Stopping outside of the pit, they begin to manipulate the device, odd expressions appearing and disappearing on their face.  Occasionally they will look up toward the doorway, wait, and then resume their activities.

Somewhere in the middle of the process, they say, to no one in particular.  "I did not come entirely unprepared."

Derrick does not force the issue with Artor, though he does hover nearby like a concerned mother hen. His face displays a complex array of emotions as he watches Artor deal with the hole in his foot. As Nagihsa begins their own work on the doorway, Derrick spares a few concerned glances towards it as though fearing that it might start hurling arcs of electricity towards the group.

The older man gently approaches Artor as he stands.

"Do you need any healing, friend Artor?"

Artor stood slowly as Agatho approached, testing his weight upon his injured foot with a hiss and a wound. He was wary, something baked into his nature rather than anything specific towards the priest or his faith. Still, it was hard to force an acceptance into words, "It would be remiss of me to let this hinder our descent if you can help"

After a few minutes, Nagihsa seems satisfied with their efforts.  Anyone glancing at the device will notice a certain set of patterns repeated.  "Excellent," they say as they stow the item and lower themselves into the pit.

Turning toward the party, they say, "In answer to your last question, I would say the great beasts of the sky that arrive sometimes after the fiercest rains.  Vensin ... something, I have heard them called.  They are of flesh and machine, both, and quite massive.  I do not feel myself an expert in this matter, though."

They turn toward the door but stop themselves.  "Although perhaps the humans arriving might be the greatest threat to themselves."  They make a strange sound that might be a wry chuckle or cough.

"If you will be so kind as to wait and honor our bargain as I have done, I shall return with the items I seek, and the remainder shall be yours."  Nagihsa steps into the gloom of the building.

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 158):

Alyssa who has been taken by surprise by the whole event turns to Artor and starts checking out his wound.

While the party tends to Artor's wounds, occasional clanking and clunking and shuffling can be heard dimly from inside the structure.  After about 15 or 20 minutes, Nagihsa emerges carrying two metallic boxes.  One is a plain dull silver color.  The other is ornate and embossed with intricate designs, all in bronze tones.

Once back out in the light, the nevajin says, "Our bargain is concluded.  This site and its contents are yours to dispose of as you see fit.  I have honored my part of the pact, as have you."  The creature closes their eyes and nods.  They then begin walking deeper into the forest, roughly southward.

Derrick watch Nagihsa start to walk off. "Thank you for your help!" He calls after the retreating form. Turning his attention back to the entrance while the others deal with Artor, he picks up a dirt clod from the pile and tosses it through to entryway as a test to see if anything happens.

The clump lands on the floor within the building, breaks apart, and scatters a bit.  Nothing else happens.

The older man looks up from Artor's wound, and nods in return.

"'The Sovereign One bless thee, and keep thee.' "

After Nagihsa departs, he looks back at Artor, looking somewhat fatigued.

"Friend Artor, this wound has been challenging to treat, and is not fully healed.  Shall I continue, or should I hold further attempts in reserve in case you receive any further injuries as we explore?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:34, Sun 01 Nov 2020.

“Let us explore these ruins first, priest”, suggested Artor with a hint of his earlier impatience, “It is not that I do not trust our guide...”

The older man nods, and straightens up somewhat stiffly, looking slightly winded.

"I believe that our friend has deactivated the hazards before us, but I will at least scan the immediate entrance area, just in case..."

He moves toward the entrance, first extending his empathic senses, then his scanning senses...

The older man regards the area near the entrance for several moments, peering closely at a few things.

"I can see the mechanisms that our brief companion deactivated.  From what I can see, the way is clear indeed.  Shall we proceed?"

Artor nodded, proceeding more cautiously this time

Derrick brushes the bulk of the dirt off his shield and follows Artor. Moving so that he is deliberately in front of Agatho.

The older man nods at Derrick with a soft sigh of friendly resignation.

They have traveled long together, and he is well acquainted with the younger man's protectiveness.

He has had occasion to be thankful for it more than once...

"Carefully, of course." Hoa Sen says, part of her attention still on their strange ally's remarkably prosaic retreat. "Let us salvage what we can, and then be about surveying if daylight remains."

Under the dome, the space you enter seems to be a circular area, perhaps 30 or 35 feet in diameter.  As your eyes adjust to the dimness admitted by the stained translucent panels above, you can make out shelves, tables, boxes, crates and other items, largely along the walls.

The footsteps of the nevajin are fairly easy to make out in the layer of dust left by untold eons.  They shuffled around to various places.  The "clean" spots on the shelves seem to indicate that three or four items are missing.

The older man examines the area with interest, and considers.

"My stamina for scanning is finite.  Perhaps we should carefully gather together any items of interest, so that I can scan them all at once..."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:53, Mon 02 Nov 2020.

"I could scan them" Alyssa suggests, "put if the nevajin has been true to their word, there's nothing dangerous here."

Derrick eyes the shelves dubiously. "What the nevajin considers dangerous may not match our definition." He begins to walk, cautiously ahead of the group looking for anything that might be dangerous rather than useful.

Derrick rolled 5 using 1d20.  Perception - Trained.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:16, Wed 04 Nov 2020.

In reply to Derrick (msg # 174):

"If you say so, Derrick." Alyssa moves behind Derrick. She then suddenly chuckles. "If my danger sense had been better, I hadn't teleported  here."

Letting the other precede him, the now-wary Jack favoured one foot as he entered the looted dome. His eyes - and the tendrils of shadow that sheathed him - were drawn to the shelves and his fingertips twitched as he ran them an inch or two away from the shelves dusty occupants, a thoughtful look mirrored in his mask

The older man nods as he makes his way about the area, looking carefully around as he goes.

"Your scanning abilities will be very useful, friend Alyssa.  It is a blessing to share that load with one with more youth and vigor than I..."

RPoL Dice Roller:

22:55, Today: Agatho rolled 16 using 1d20.  Understanding Numenera (Trained).

Hoa Sen remains near the center of the chamber. Long and bitter experience in Qi has taught her she has no sense for this sort of business, so she instead devotes her attention to watching the room and the others, intent on preventing unpleasant surprises.

OOC: 09:56, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 17 using 1d20.  Perception (trained) Alert for Threats (hopefully).

The explorations of the space do yield some finds, if meager at first.  Artor is able to cobble together enough useful implements to create a pack of light tools, things that may come in handy later.  Under the thick dust, he's also able to find a small living green and orange reptile that seems to be encased in a stronglass bubble (oddity).

Derrick stumbles on his own minor find in the form of a ring that seems to grow warm in cool temperatures and cool in warm temperatures (oddity).  He finds a working glow globe as well.

Agatho works out the door controls, such that he is confident they could be safely closed in the building and then able to get out later with no difficulty.  He also manages to find a cypher, three clear balls linked on a cord of stretchy synth (Orbital Amor, lvl 1d6).

Hoa makes perhaps the most meaningful discovery of the group.  While making a thorough inspection of the floor to suss out any traps Nagihsa may have left still armed, she discovers what appears to be a hatch to a lower space below the floor.  It is unclear if the nevajin didn't know of the panel or merely didn't need to use it, but the creature's footprints were nowhere near the hatch.  The opening mechanism, clear after the drit is blown away, seems to be in working order and does not appear connected to any defensive device.

For a few long moments, Artor stared at the reptile unblinkingly. It stared back, a stalemate until finally the Jack's mask twitched and he blinked. With that, he slipped it into a pocket for a moment and the tools he had gathered into his pack.

Swiftly enough, he brought the encased lizard out once more, holding out so they could both peer at his companions. It was the lizard who preceded him once Hoa Sen uncovered the hatch and they stalked towards her together

"Down, down, ever down", he muttered, half to the lizard, "But do not delve too deeply, like the dwarves"

Derrick puts the ring on his finger and the glow globe in his pack then makes his way over to the hatch that Hoa has discovered. "If everyone else stands back, I'll try to open it." He looks at the mechanism. "If... uh... someone explains how."

The older man nods approvingly at Hoa Sen.

"You have a good eye, friend Hoa Sen.  Let me see what I can figure out, friend Derrick..."

"I suspect you simply rotate this piece," Hoa Sen says, pointing, "and the hatch will lift. I believe it is worth seeing what lies below, though I also believe we should err on the side of caution should we encounter threats."

In reply to Hoa Sen (msg # 183):

"Agree. Guess we can use that glow globe we found as a light source" Alyssa chimes in.

"Not all of us require it", offered Artor, favouring one foot. Darkness passed over his eyes, a shadow perhaps, "But it will serve nonetheless"

Derrick motions for the others to stand back, then kneels down and grips the piece indicated by Hoa. Before he opens the hatch however, he pulls the glow globe back out of his pack and sets it next to the seam in the floor. He then begins to turn and, when he feels the hatch start to open, he pulls.

The hatch opens with some difficulty, likely due to age and dust, but it opens properly.  A billow of air even staler than the the initial opening of the dome wafts up, calling to mind oils and solvents long since evaporated into ... something else.

A ladder leads deeper into the darkness below, the rungs spaced a bit farther apart than human comfort.  There seems to be a floor about 15 feet farther down.

The older man regards the ladder thoughtfully.

"Our nevajin friend did not approach this hatch, or the area beyond, so any unfriendly devices within have not been disarmed.  I propose that I first scan the ladder, then descend, then scan the area within..."

Artor peered into the darkness, nodding once, “by all means, scan... however nothing appears amiss below”

In reply to Artor (msg # 189):

Alyssa fetches the glow globe they found. She gives it to Artor. <purple>"This might cast a light on things?" she suggests with a laugh.

Artor considered the glow globe, his greenish black shadow echoes caressing the sphere slowly, “You are kind, but the darkness hinders me little”

The older man sends a minute examining the ladder before descending.

Those watching can see him descend, and then peer around, turning very slowly as he scans the area.

After a couple of minutes...

"I see a mechanism similar to the one that injured Artor, in that direction, about four feet from the wall..."

After several more minutes...

"I see another such mechanism, directly opposite the other one, also about four feet from the wall.  Please take appropriate caution when you descend to avoid these two areas..."

After another couple of minutes...

"Scan complete.  There are other items here, so there could be hazards of other kinds, but I believe I have spotted the type of hazard we are already familiar with."

His voice sounds quite fatigued, and he looks rather pale...

Artor favoured one foot as he slipped down the hatch with the glow globe, but upon the ladder it was his arms that did most of the work. Reaching the floor, and hearing the priest's assessment, he placed a hand upon the older man's shoulder, squeezed it wordlessly
This message was last edited by the player at 06:21, Sun 08 Nov 2020.

Derrick descends after Artor and offers his arm to Agatho for support. "I wish I could lend you strength to do that. Maybe you should sit down for a minute?" He stays focused on his companion rather than on investigating the room.

The space the ladder leads into looks like more workshop and storage area.  There are shelves, boxes, work tables, piles of dust that may have once be diagrams and directions.  There are also large stronglass panels on some of the outer walls, perhaps as part of the walls.

The dust here is thicker than above, and shows no signs of disturbance in any estimable time.

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 195):

"Do you need assistance down there?" Alyssa asks. She does not wait for a reply but climbs down into the new room. It has peaked her curiosity.

OOC: Start helping to search the new room after any fascinating numenera or other stuff.

The older man takes a deep breath or two as the others descend, leaning upon the ladder in a way that will not hinder those climbing down.

He smiles at Artor and Derrick, looking somewhat less pale.

"Thank you, friends.  I just needed a few moments to catch my breath."

Once everyone coming down has arrived, the older man gestures in various directions as he describes the various locations of objects, metals, crystals, types of synth, small quantities of liquids, containers, devices, and power sources.  He particularly warns them of the two locations where he scanned mechanisms similar to that which earlier injured Artor.

Once done, he begins to look around himself...

RPoL Dice Roller:

20:31, Yesterday: Agatho rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Recovery Roll (1 Action).
08:58, Today: Agatho rolled 12 using 1d20.  Understanding Numenera (Trained, Asset).

Artor nodded and let Agatho have his space, meandering around prodding at dust-covered boxes

16:57, Today: Artor rolled 16 using 1d20.  Numenera - Trained, Asset. – [roll=1604854620.16027.329590]
16:56, Today: Artor rolled 7 using 1d20.  Perception - Trained, Asset. – [roll=1604854608.88867.329590]

Artor's and Agatho's forays yield some valuables.

Agatho, intrigued by some energy sources found in his scans, discovers 4 units of Io, along with 7 shins and 5 parts that might come in handy later.

Artor's rummaging seems more successful, at least in terms of raw numbers.  He manages to scrape together 7 shins and 12 parts from various containers, but the biggest prizes are the cyphers.  Artor has found a Visual Displacement Device bracelet(lvl 1d6), a Salvage Graft metallic disk (lvl 1d6+1), a Hover Module metal and synth plate (1d6+2), a Needle Sphere of metal and synth (lvl 1d6+1), and a Remote Viewer device that can separate into two parts, one half including a viewing screen (lvl 1d6).

"Quite the trove. Can we safely carry them all? I believe I can manage one more without undue risk." Hoa Sen says. She has, this time, tried mostly to stay out of the way, a concerned eye on Agatho. "And a return to fresh air after? Perhaps take a small meal and recover ourselves somewhat?"

"Two we need not", answered Artor, off-hand. He held up the metallic disk and the synth-backed plate, "You fuse the Graft with your skull, for a short time, and it infuses you will knowledge of the numenera if you have none. You fuse the Hover Module with another cypher, to enhance it. If none of you would benefit from the module, I will attach it to the viewer and take that. Someone else should claim the VDD and the Needlecaster"

Derrick eyes the Graft somewhat dubiously. "I mean... I've never been one for studying numenara, but is it safe?"

In reply to Derrick (msg # 202):

"Well, I don't dare to carry another of the numenera, not unless I toss something away."

“None of the Numenera are safe, safe”, acknowledged Artor

Derrick contemplates Artor's answer, then nods. "If no one else feels it would benefit them, then I will use it. I've been told that carrying more than two numenera for a long time isn't safe, but it should be all right if I use it right away... right?" He holds out his hand for the graft.

The older man nods thoughtfully.

"There are indeed limits to how many such devices we can safely carry.  We should prioritize which to continue carrying, and which to leave behind..."

Artor shakes his head at Derrick’s proffered hand and gestured to him, “Turn round; it need to be placed upon the skull”

If the other turns, he places the graft with surprising gentleness on the back of their head. Whilst he works, he speak to Agathos observation, “I will take one, perhaps the viewer, and ensure it can hover with that plate. The others, I am happy to risk taking one more... perhaps the displaced”

Derrick consents, turning around to allow the graft to be installed, though not without a certain trepidation. "I think the two that I already carry are a better fit for me. They are a means to heal us all quickly and a means of creating a powerful barrier."

Derrick feels a momentary sharp pain as the small metal disk is activated against his skin.  Unseen tendrils begin a snaking deployment through his skull and into his brain.  For a few seconds there is an overwhelming sensation of heat and light and cascading waves of thought ... words, images, diagrams, motions.  As the sensation ebbs, Derrick can feel the new knowledge accessible in his mind.

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 209):

Alyssa looks worried when she asks Derrick: "How do you feel, Derrick?"

Derrick blinks a couple of times and then pokes the spot on the back of his head gingerly. "A strange sensation. A bit like the translators really. I am alright. That leaves the question of what to do with the rest of these that we can't take with us. The device has allowed me to understand the concept of 'iotum';at least a little. If we can't safely handle the cyphers, the components should be safe if we can extract them." He looks at the others, particularly Agatho and Artor. "I think one of you should still take the lead, but I will assist."

"I can take the displacement device. One my own cyphers was activated during the fight with the lightning birds." Hoa Sen says.

In reply to Hoa Sen (msg # 212):

Alyssa still don't look entirely convinced and still seems concerned about Derrick's transformation, but doesn't raise the topic again.

Coming to a conclusion, Artor took the bracelet and tossed it to Hoa Sen, then toyed with the hover plate for a moment to affix it to one have of the paired screen-and-sensors that slipped beneath his own robes. Finally, he prised open the remaining sphere with the tip of a blade and some help from the newly skilled Glaive. He hummed softly, seeing what was within

08:04, Today: Artor rolled 16 using 1d20.  Salvaging Numera - Trained, Asset from Derrick or Agatho

Black tendrils drifted lazily from his waist as he raised his head, his porcelain mask offering the smile that lay beneath, "That is everything, I believe. Let us not linger"

Derrick rises from where he had crouched to help Artor. "Agreed. We should get out of here and get back to looking for the best spot to found the settlement."

Artor pauses a moment.  His expression, at least the expression on the mask, becomes blank and distant.  It slowly moves to one of terror.  The blackish energy that is sometimes seen emanating from him roils and surges in uneven waves.  He screams and rushes to one of the work benches, diving under it and piling boxes and detritus around himself.  "Hide!" he screams.  "You must hide from the blackness!"

"Agatho, tend him!" Hoa Sen snapped, instantly decisive. "Derrick, secure our exit." The arkus dropped her hips and extended her right foot, weight shifting toward the balls of her feet. Her senses strained for whatever might have troubled the Jack.


Unhappy dice.

21:46, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 3 using 1d20.  Perception (trained) reroll with exp.
21:46, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 5 using 1d20.  Perception (trained) plus one level of Effort.

Hoa notices nothing in particular that she did not see before, although she knows the Jack's eyes may be sharper than hers, and the chaos has stirred up clouds of dust that could obscure distortions in the air.

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 218):

"What's wrong?" Alyssa asks. She tries to remember if she's treated a similar affliction or whatever has struck Artor.


18:00, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 9 using 1d20.  Healing Tasks (trained) remembering proper medical procedure or similar.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Wed 25 Nov 2020.

Derrick does as instructed. He draws his mace and slips his dusty shield onto his arm as he moves to the ladder leading out of this basement. "Maybe we should leave?" He says in a whisper as he looks around for any sign of danger.

Derrick rolled 15 using 1d20.  Perception - Trained.

Alyssa draws up any number of possibilities as to the cause of Artor's malady, from poisons, to drugs, to madness, to trans-dimensional interlopers.  Sadly, there is not enough information for her to draw any sort of useful conclusion at this time.

Derrick, while not spotting any apparent dangers above or around them, does make out the faint outline of what may be another hatch in the floor of the structure they are in.

Beneath the boxes, Artor paid little attention to the soft words from his companions. As he cowers he mutters to himself, "Devourers, they will eat us. We cannot eat them, eat the box they came from so"

Derrick points out the hatch in the floor. "Watch out there. It looks like this place goes even deeper." He does not move from the ladder, still hoping his companions will agree to leave, but unwilling to be the first person out.

"They reach, so we must descend", called out Artor, scampering over to the hatch, "Dance between those reaching fingers, like a courtesan fleeing unwelcome suitors to reach his prize!"

The hatch is stiffer than the one opened earlier, but the mechanism is the same.  The sound of generations of dust abraiding metal echoes in the room as Artor hefts open the hatch and reveals darkness below.

The older man stretches out his empathic senses at Artor's first reaction, and glances between Derrick and Artor as the latter opens the hatch. 

As Artor finishes opening the hatch, the older man positions himself to descend first.

"I'll scan as I descend, and continue as you follow..."

OOC: Agatho will scan the ladder as he descends, then the floor at the base of the ladder, then expand his search as time permits.  The goal is to delay the descent of the others as little as possible, while scanning as much as possible, starting with where they will need to step and stand...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Thu 26 Nov 2020.

Alyssa follows the others, if possible she whispers to Hoa.

"Artor seems extremely talkative. I haven't known him for long, but he usually seems to be rather taciturn"

OOC: I also want to scan any interesting objects. I realised that with my Intellect Edge of 2 it doesn't cost me any points does it?

As Artor opens the second hatch, Derrick debates his options: he must turn his back to the ladder out in order to watch this new potential avenue for attack. Ultimately, as Agatho begins to descend to the next level, he makes his decision and moves over to be ready to defend his companion.

The big man is clearly displeased by the decision to descend farther into the structure. "Artor speak clearly. What troubles you?" His voice is barely above a whisper as he reaches out a hand to try to grasp the strange man's shoulder.

About to follow Agatho below, Artor freezes when Derrick reaches for him. He scuttles sideways, then hesitates, letting everyone else descend, "Blacks shadows, like tendrils; I saw them, see them, a premonition perhaps. We cannot find them, but we can ... prevent them"

His eyes are still wide, he glances back and forth

Alyssa scans the surrounding walls in search of any hidden mechanisms that could be traps or defense systems.

OOC: Using scan on the surrounding walls.

The level below is darker than the one above (if such were possible), but larger and dustier.  The ceiling is higher and the diameter of the room is greater, stretching to the west in and oblong shape cut off by a straight wall.  There are more shelves and work tables and such here.  There are crates and boxes and jars and other containers, as well as some large, irregular shapes draped in cloth of some sort along the walls.  The main floor area seems to be deliberately open.  Some of the outer walls seem to be made of stronglass, as above, but there seem to be sections of horizontally corrugated metal, as well.  On the east wall, prominently stenciled in a stylized script marred by chipped paint is Nabise, although nothing further gives context to the word.

Derrick nods in understanding to Artor and then quickly descends the ladder resolved to help prevent whatever it is that the Jack has 'forseen'. Once on the lower level, he pulls out the glow globe again to help light the area and begins to immediately look around on the dusty floor for another of the hatches hidden in the dust. He leaves the puzzling word and the shrouded objects for the others to investigate.

Derrick rolled 8 using 1d20.  Perception - Trained.

In reply to Derrick (msg # 232):

"There's something behind this part of the wall" Alyssa states plainly as she starts investigating a part of the western wall, one of the part that consists of corrugated metal "but I'm not sure what." She starts knocking at the wall to see if she can find any irregularities or maybe a hidden door or compartment.

OOC: 22:00, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 15 using 1d20.  Perception check. Finding something hidden?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Sun 29 Nov 2020.

With every one of his companion's descending, Artor rocks back and forth for a moment, then swiftly slides down the ladder into the darkness below. He flings out a glowglobe, watching the other's carefully

Derrick finds no latches in floor, which seems to be one solid piece.

Alyssa realizes that the corrugated portions of the walls are doors, with control panels built into the walls beside them.  Two such doors would open on the north wall in addition to the one to the west.

Artor drops down the ladder to find his companions exploring, although with a bit more trepidation than on the floor above.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:33, Tue 01 Dec 2020.

Taking stock of his companions, fiddling with the walls, Artor shivers and stares around, "No, no, no. Avoid these hands, grasping, grabbing. Accursed..."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Tue 01 Dec 2020.

Derrick moves over to Alyssa, ready for anything, or so he hopes, should she find a way to open the door.

Pressing his face and ear to the floor, Artor crawls slowly forward, seeking ... something

Unable to get a clear read on the situation, Hoa Sen hangs back. She is content—in the loosest sense of that word—to let Derrick keep vigil for external threats for the moment.

"Artor," she says, her voice barely more than a whisper, "What do you seek?"

In reply to Hoa Sen (msg # 239):

"There's doors here. One on the north part and two on the west, although I've never had a great sense of direction." Alyssa starts studying the northern door.

OOC: I apply effort to lower the difficulty by one and if I can use my skill in Understanding the Numenera, that would lower the difficulty by another point? but I roll 08:47, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 8 using 1d20.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:49, Sat 05 Dec 2020.

Alyssa is able to activate the control unit on one of the doors, but doesn't quite get anything else to happen.

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 241):

"Hmmm... doesn't seem to want to open. Maybe it's stuck?" Alyssa examines the actual door to see if there's some rust or any other visual damage to the door.

Derrick moves over to inspect the door as well and to see if he can find a place to apply some leverage in an attempt to unstick it.

There do seem to be some cracks at the edges, perhaps minor movements caused by Alyssa's attempt.  It may be possible to force the door open.

OOC: DC 5:15 to muscle it open.  If you try, let me know if you have assets, help, etc.

The older man reluctantly moves from his watch over Artor to inspect the discovered door and control unit...

OOC: Do I get assets from any activities thus far?

RPoL Dice Roller:

17:28, Today: Agatho rolled 13 using 1d20.  Understanding Numenera (Trained).  Assets?

Agatho, previously preoccupied with his own investigation and keeping a caring eye on Artor, walks to the door controller and looks at it with fresh eyes.  He's able to figure out the proper sequence to open the door, with the metal slowly lifting up, clanking and grinding.

Within a room about 10' wide by 15' deep, there is a large, irregular shape covered in a dusty, decaying cloth.  There is, perhaps, only a couple feet of clearance around the shape, and even less clearance by the ceiling.

"'What lies beneath'", whispers Artor, as the rising shutter reveals the cloth-covered shape, paying more attention to those sounds than Agatho's soft words, "Is it those who grasp? Or the sentience behind them?"

He remained crouched on the floor, listening

Derrick moves cautiously towards the cloth covered shape, but glances back at the others before he tries to remove it.

In reply to Derrick (msg # 248):

Alyssa looks at the shape with both a sense of curiousity and a bit of trepidation and nods to Derrick to remove the cloth.

Derrick gives the cloth a sharp tug and tries to pull it away to reveal whatever is underneath. He is ready to throw himself in front of the others if necessaru.

Before the cloth has even hit the floor, a gout of flame erupts from the metallic hulk underneath, now half shrouded in dust lofted by the collapsing fabric.  The fires engulf Derrick, who is directly in their path.  The clanking of treads and the roar of machinery echoes in the tiny space as the monstrosity lurches forward into the larger room.


OOC: Please roll for initiative, everyone.

Derrick is completely engulfed in the flames and barely manages to avoid being crushed under the treads whatever it was that was hiding under the sheet. As the flames dissipate, a soft glow can be seen around the large man.

Failure - Derrick rolled 2 using 1d20.  Speed Defense (Asset from Shield). I should negate 3 points of damage.
Derrick rolled 16 using 1d20.  Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:25, Fri 11 Dec 2020.

Hoa Sen rises immediately--instinctively, even--from her crouch at Artor's side, ready to face whatever has been awakened.

OOC:
12:17, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 19 using 1d20.  Initiative.

Still crouched frog-like on the floor, Artor hisses as the flame engulfs Derrick

09:28, Today: Artor rolled 13 using 1d20.  Initiative

In reply to Artor (msg # 254):

Alyssa feared that something bad was about to happen and she's ready to act!

06:15, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 18 using 1d20.  Initiative.

My first roll over 10!

The older man feels Derrick's pain as the flames erupt, and winces at the intense empathic surge.  His existing mental thread of concern about Artor is joined by concern for Derrick, and regret for not scanning the threat beforehand, and a silent prayer for wisdom and strength to face the threat...

RPoL Dice Roller:

23:52, Yesterday: Agatho rolled 5 using 1d20.  Initiative.

There is a strange series of beeps and clicks and bangs as the machine moves forward.  The clanking of metal on the floor continues to reverberate.

OOC: Derrick, Hoa, and Alyssa all beat it for initiative.  Artor and Agatho will have to wait until after it's turn.

Now behind the strange machine, Derrick leaps on it and starts whaling away with his mace in an effort to stop the thing from attacking his companions.

Spend 2 Might points to activate Aggression (asset on melee attacks).

Derrick rolled 19 using 1d20.  Attack with Mace - Aggression. Attack does 8 damage (5 base + 3 for the minor effect).

Alyssa is unsure what to do about the monstrosity, but then it comes to her. Would this work? She activates one of her cyphers and points it towards the metal behemoth.

Want to try to use my Shrink Ray cypher against it. Don't really have the specs for it (except that it's level 4)

08:14, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 2 using 1d20.  If a roll is needed?
This message was last edited by the player at 07:14, Wed 16 Dec 2020.

Hoa Sen moves alongside Derrick, slipping gracefully around the bigger sentient to strike at the device's center mass while taking care to keep her own feet and shins out of the way.


20:20, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 14 using 1d20.  Light Unarmed/Practiced (+2 damage).

Derrick and Hoa's blows do land with some effect, and further clanging is heard within the machine.  Alyssa's ray doesn't affect the entire contraption, but two large sections of plating reduce their size by a massive amount, tearing away at their fixtures and falling to the floor with a deafening sound.

The incensed machine begins whirling in place, trying to dislodge its unwelcome passengers.

OOC: Hoa and Derrick make Might defense roll to hang on safely or Speed defense to leap off out of danger

Derrick stubbornly attempts to hang on to the wild machine, but it proves difficult as pieces of the thing tear away.

Derrick rolled 9 using 1d20.  Melee defense.

The power of this machine is evident as Derrick is violently flung against the back wall of the room the entity emerged from.

Alyssa makes a complicated set of gestures in the air and tries to scan the machine for any weaknesses.

OOC: Trying to scan the machine for any weaknesses that can be exploited. I'm applying a level of Effort to the task to ease it and I'm of course trained in Understanding the Numenera if applicable.

18:18, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 18 using 1d20.  Scanning the machine for weaknesses.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:20, Fri 18 Dec 2020.

There is a thud as Derrick hits the wall and slides down, but he is able to avoid hitting his head. A moment later he is back on his feet with a look of concentration on his face. His body is now positively radiating light. He holds out a hand and the light coalesces in his palm before being hurled towards the mechanical monstrosity.

Using my Release Energy ability to hit for 4 points of damage using the energy stored from getting hit.
Derrick rolled 7 using 1d20.  Release Energy.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Sat 19 Dec 2020.

Darting past the machine - or, perhaps, attempting to - Artor searches frantically for a control pane or tether or some other manner in which the machine might be thwarted

"You cannot harm it!", he cried out to his companions

Hoa has little better luck maintaining her ersatz perch than the glaive does...

20:01, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 5 using 1d20.  Speed Defense, 1 level of effort.

Hoa's ill-timed leap from the monstrosity finds her hurling face first into the corner where the machine's room meets the larger workshop area.


Alyssa is able to identify the now-exposed wiring and machinery of the automaton(?)'s right side as the most vulnerable to damage, now that the armor plating has been torn off.  She thinks it might be possible to ... rewire it?  Redirect it?  Communicate with it?  Something besides merely destroying it is an option, although such a task would likely be very difficult and dangerous.

In his searching, Artor vanishes from sight

Derrick's blast of force narrowly misses the spinning metal, slamming into the ceiling.  A few cracks appear, releasing bits of rubble and dust into the chaos.

OOC: Hoa's turn to act before the machine's turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:49, Wed 23 Dec 2020.

Spitting blood, Hoa rolls to her feet. She looks a little unsteady, but still pulls the dart thrower from her belt and aims it at the rampaging device. Whether it's the shock of the blow or the general chaos in the room, the arkus' shot goes wide.


13:54, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 7 using 1d20.  Dart thrower attack.

Alyssa points her right hand at the automaton's exposed right side and makes a complex but quick gesture as if she's tracing a symbol.

Alyssa is trying to attack the exposed area with the physical version of Onslaught. I'm also applying a level of effort to ease the attack.

 09:01, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 17 using 1d20.  Onslaught at the weak area (w. effort) to hit. 

As the machine slows its rotations, Alyssa's blast strikes true on the vulnerable side.  Clanging and hissing can be heard from within it, and a burst of yellowish vapor coughs out from the exposed innards.


<orange>OOC: FYI hitting the vulnerable section it 1 step harder (DC 6 instead of 5), but ignores armor and does 1 extra damage)</orange)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:16, Thu 24 Dec 2020.

The hulking machine stops spinning, aimed at Alyssa.  A massive claw extends and tries to grab her with its serrated clamps.

OOC: Speed Defense, DC 5:15, please.

Alyssa tries to jump out of reach of the claw, but she's too slow to react.

Well, using some effort to help poor Alyssa escape, but with that roll, there's will be damage :)
 01:13, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 2 using 1d20.  Defense roll with applied effort.

Alyssa is indeed caught in the crushing claw of the machine.  It is painful, but the machine does not seem intent on killing her.  Once she is held fast, a thin arm with an unusual apparatus at the end begins extending from the machine toward Alyssa's head.

The older man leaps forward to assist the captured Alyssa.

"Sovereign One, please help us now, I pray..."

And a ray of energy shoots directly into the vulnerable side of the machine...

RPoL Dice Roller:

13:13, Yesterday: Agatho rolled 20 using 1d20.  Onslaught at the weak area, with effort to hit.  :o.

Sparks and smoke issue from the machine's innards.  It shudders a moment and the vice-like grip on Alyssa weakens, although the smaller arm continues extending toward her.

The older man touches the claw, and stretches out his telepathic senses toward the entity before them.

"Can you understand me?  If so, please stop attacking, and we will stop also..."

He thinks the words as he speaks them, so that his companions will know what he is trying to communicate, if this entity even has a mind that can be contacted telepathically...

RPoL Dice Roller:

17:59, Today: Agatho rolled 14 using 1d20.  Speed Task DT3, Mental Link Touch Attempt.

Agatho reaches some kind of mind, but it is foreign, disordered, corrupted.  Random words and nonsense syllables permeate its "thoughts".  But there is an overwhelming urge to complete ... something.  To construct something, a thing perhaps garbled and unknowable now.  It requires materials for this, and it is trying to collect those materials.

Out of sight, Artor used the machine's fascination with Alyssa to skip closer to it and strike forcefully with his glaive toward the joint where the smaller arm emerged from

14:44, Today: Artor rolled 12 using 1d20.  Attack with Glaive.

Artor's blade clangs off the metal, leaving a few scratches behind, but doing no meaningful damage.  The extending arm vibrates a bit.  The grip on Alyssa is unchanged.  It is still enough to hold her, but not as crushing as it had been intially.

OOC: Ok, back to the Alyssa, Derrick, and Hoa.

Seeing Alyssa gripped by the arm, Derrick charges in with the goal of getting it to release her. He isn't totally sure how the arm is applying pressure, but he figures that breaking the arm ought to work one way or another. A heavy overhanded strike with his mace applied to the arm ought to do the trick.

Derrick rolled 10 using 1d20.  Try to free Alyssa from the arm (2 Effort).

Spent four points from my Might pool to apply two Effort which gets me to difficulty 5. If my Aggression ability applies to this test, then I have an asset as well and it's up to difficulty 6.

Derrick's strike damages the pincer arm, causing a few sparks to fly from the point of impact and buckling some of the metal.  Alyssa collapses to the ground, the machine no longer capable of supporting her securely.

Alyssa lands on rolls and deftly gets up on her feet. She is shocked, bruised and very tired. Out of immediate danger she decides to catch her breath.

22:20, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 16 using 1d20.  Speed roll to keep my footing (eased).  I'll use my one round recovery roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:24, Sat 02 Jan 2021.

Twirling his Glaive overhead, the now-visible Artor spins it to strike deftly at the machine once more

04:54, Today: Artor rolled 17 using 1d20.  Attack with Glaive.
Bonus to Damage, I believe

Hoa took a moment to recover her balance and consider her options.

OOC: Taking my one-action recovery roll.

21:47, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 7 using 1d6+1.  Recovery roll (1 action).
This message was last edited by the player at 03:48, Mon 04 Jan 2021.

The machine, with Alyssa now out of its reach, turns and grasps at Hoa instead.  The secondary arm continues to reach forward as well, although at a less-than-ideal angle.  Warbling, dissonant chimes sound from inside the mechanism.

OOC: Speed Defense 5:15 please

Hoa Sen did what she could to lunge clear of the grasping device, but was not quite quick enough.

OOC:
22:39, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 10 using 1d20.  Speed Defense, 1 level of effort.

The claw of the machine clamps down on Hoa, squeezing out the breath she just caught.  The secondary arm has almost reached her head.

With Hoa caught Alyssa attacks the machine being with another onslaught carefully aimed not to hit Hoa. She hopes that it will be enough for the creature to drop Hoa.

21:32, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 19 using 1d20.  Onslaught with effort to ease chance to hit. Oh that's a minor effect. Does it have to be 3 extra points of damage?

Alyssa's blast shakes the machine.  It's already damaged claw loses its grip and Hoa falls to the floor.

OOC: Hoa, Speed roll DC 3:9 to keep your feet.  Agatho can take an action from the end of last round.  Also Derrick and Hoa can act before the machine's turn again.

Gasping for air, Hoa stumbled as the claw released her The kasunda, though, turned the stumble into a roll and regained her feet, bloodied but not yet broken. She was reluctant to engage the automaton again, but her dart thrower proved no more use than it had in her last attempt.

OOC:
14:11, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 7 using 1d20.  Dart Thrower attack (Light Weapon).

13:25, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 17 using 1d20.  Speed defense (3:9).

Having seen the machine grab two of his companions, Derrick moves to interpose himself between the arm and its next potential victim. He tries to make himself the target of the metal monstrosity's ire.

Trying to Draw the Attack.

Derrick does draw the machine's attentions.  Another series of warbles and beeps, even louder than before, emanates as it turns to grasp Derrick, gout of flame trying to corral him toward the claw.

Derrick rolled 6 using 1d20.  Speed Defense #1.
Derrick rolled 20 using 1d20.  Speed Defense #2.

Shield and Aggression offset so these rolls are straight up, but I get +2 Armor for successfully drawing the attack.

Derrick is well aware of the threat that the machine's claw presents, and he is able to bash it away with his shield, damaging some of the actuators in the process.  He was not counting on another jet of flames being used to drive him toward the claw.  Luckily, the arc of the shield's path is able to block most of the blazing heat.

The older man looks dazed for several moments, then shakes his head in an attempt to refocus upon the battle.

He then attempts to fire an onslaught into the vulnerable gap in armor caused by Alyssa's cypher, but the direct exposure to the garbled and disordered thoughts of the mind before them seems to have affected his effectiveness...

RPoL Dice Roller:

16:14, Today: Agatho rolled 2 using 1d20.  Onslaught at the weak area, with effort to hit.  :o.
16:16, Today: Agatho rolled 1 using 1d20.  Following Round: Onslaught at the weak area, with effort to hit.  :o.

Muttering beneath his porcelain mask, Artor uses the energy of his prior strike to continue the motion of his blade, building momentum for a swift ad decisive follow up strike

05:18, Today: Artor rolled 17 using 1d20.  Attack with Glaive

Agatho's attempts to end the creature's attacks are less than useless.  The first blast is wide and creates some cracks in the far wall.  The second blast hits the creature, but the confluence of energies seems to be absorbed by it.  Those with a vantage point to do so can see some self-repair actions taking place in the inner mechanisms exposed by the removed plating.

Artor's strike is more conventional and more effective.  Sparks fly as more of the machine's appendages are damaged.

Ok, back to the top of the order: Derrick, Alyssa, and Hoa, in any order.

Confident that he has the machine's attention. Derrick charges in once more with his mace, using his momentum to add as much power as he can to the attack. "This thing is tough!"

Derrick rolled 16 using 1d20.  Attack with mace (asset for Aggression).

Alyssa keeps blasting the automaton in hope of slowing it down. "Perhaps we should run for it? I guess this is some sort of guardian for this facility. It might not follow us?"

Battered and increasingly convinced that her training as a kasunda is (to put it mildly) less relevant than she hoped against the automaton, Hoa Sen concentrates on keeping herself alive, activating the cypher she'd taken from the room above.

OOC: Activating the VDD and trying to keep out of everybody's way.

Both Derrick's and Alyssa's attacks strike true.  A loud clanking can be heard from inside the machine, but it is still mobile and strikes out again at Derrick.

Speed Defense, please.  Also, Artor and Agatho can go.  This was a quick round!

Having over committed to the attack, Derrick is off balance and can't dodge the machine's counterattack.

Derrick rolled 2 using 1d20.  Speed Defense.

The claw can't get a grip on Derrick, perhaps due to the damage it's already received, but it does slam into the glaive with tremendous force.

There is a thin line of acrid smoke emanating from the creature's internal mechanisms, and occasional sparks fly from the exposed circuits, pumps, and servos.  It "speaks" another round of warbling tones, although some of these seem off key and attenuated.


OOC: Agatho and Artor are up again.

Dancing erratically, Artor slipped between the others, his free hand tapping each on the shoulder in some form of comradely support. Form led, blade following, until his steps took him close in to the machine for another strike, "It's not a two-step it's after, Alyssa!"

22:12, Today: Artor rolled 12 using 1d20.  Attack with Glaive

The machine's erratic-seeming movements deflected Artor's blade, harmlessly diverting the blow to the ground.

The older man shakes his head to refocus his efforts.

"Sovereign One, please help us now, I pray..."

And he sends forth another onslaught at the machine's vulnerable region...

RPoL Dice Roller:

10:51, Today: Agatho rolled 19 using 1d20.  Onslaught at the weak area, with effort to hit.  :o.

Woo hoo!  What minor effect options do I have?  :D

Agatho's blast strikes true.  Some final mechanism within the machine breaks, the screech of metal momentarily deafening in the confined space.

As the last of the mental link collapses, Agatho receives a fragmented image of a living wall, something of metal and tissue interspersed.  He understands, as the machine understood only crudely, that the wall was somehow a producer of foodstuffs, responsive to the needs of ... whatever it was designed to feed.  Somehow, there is an ache of sadness knowing that people long since dead were deprived of food, and this poor forgotten instrument was forgotten, but did not forget.

There is a hiss, a brief sputter of sickeningly sweet smoke, and then silence.

The older man sighs, blinking back a tear.  As an empath, mentally linked to an expiring mind aching with sadness,  he is not unmoved.

He bows his head for a moment in silent prayer.  Then he shakes his head to clear it, and regards his companions.

"Thanks be to the Sovereign One.  Is everyone all right?  Who needs healing?"

Derrick lets out a long breath in relief, but he keeps his eyes on the machine in case it suddenly resumes its furious offensive. After a few seconds, he relaxes further and slips his mace back into the loop on his waist before slowly lowering himself to the ground as his breathing returns to normal.

"I believe others may be in more dire straights than I am Agatho. See to them first." A quick assessment of his own injuries shows nothing worse than scrapes and bruises on Derrick, though some of the bruises are quite large.

Derrick rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  1 action recovery roll.

Alyssa is as ever more interested in healing and helping others than taking care of her own ailments, but she takes the opportunity to rest. "I'm mostly out of breath, but not really hurt. I would like to take the opportunity to rest a bit."

Uses my 10 minute recovery action. Also... my descriptor gives all Recovery rolls another +1, so you can give yourself another +1 Derrick. :)

07:16, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 3 using 1d6+2. Recovery roll

Also I use my 4 XP to increase Effort to 2. Very tricky choice, so many interesting options. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:24, Sat 30 Jan 2021.

When the machine began to smoke and the others stopped to take their breath, Artor continued to dance for a dozen steps, his blade and his cloak and bandages swirling in the smoke. Unwounded, he finally let the tip of his glaive scrape across the floor in a broad curve, "You have a strong mind, priest"

Hoa Sen—many Hoa Sens, actually—shrugged lightly. "I have been better, but I am hardly about to expire." She shook her hand, the device she'd gotten only minutes ago dangling from her wrist. "I still don't have the knack for activating these at the right time. Agatho, Alyssa--can you make any sense of the construct?"

Alyssa stands up unsteadily and begins to examine the construct carefully. One time she flinches, perhaps she's afraid that a wrong move might awaken the construct.

08:14, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 16 using 1d20.  Understanding the construct.
Well trained in Understanding the Numenera and a good roll.

Alyssa's examination yields the following insights:

The creature/machine that the party has "decomissioned" is some variety of Sferic.  They were automatons built in the prior worlds to help with construction.  This one is partially degraded and shows some signs of multiple repairs over time, although if those were done by the sferic itself or something else, it's impossible to say.  Alyssa is also aware that sferics are sometimes known to harvest brain matter from sentient organisms, which they convert to bio-circuitry used in the construction of whatever they were programmed to make.  At this point, it is unclear what this particular machine's end-goal was, if that information is even still comprehensible.

Once Derrick has had a chance to catch his breath, he gets up and moves back to the room that the Sferic was hiding in. He casually starts to look around the room for anything that might deserve one of his more astute companions' attention.

Derrick rolled 11 using 1d20.  Perception (Trained).

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 317):

"Hmm... it seems that the construct might have wanted to use our brains as a material for building or perhaps maintaining something" Alyssa shudders. "I suspected that it might have wanted to communicate with us, but I'm glad that I didn't test that idea."

"My brain functions best when inside my skull," Hoa Sen says, though her slight smile belies the cryptic comment. THe holographic doubles still echo her every expression and gesture. "Shall we try to salvage it, see what it might have been building, or cut our losses and return to fresher air?"

In reply to Hoa Sen (msg # 320):

"Well, I don't know about you, but I could go for some fresh air. There might be others of the same kind here. At least we know of the existence of this area so we could warn the villagers to stay away until someone properly explores it" Alyssa suggests.

Derrick's exploration of the room the sferic was in, as well as the deactivated machine, leads him to the conclusion that there is likely salvageable material in what remains of the hulk (and maybe elsewhere on this level), and likely no additional machines (at least of this type), a conclusion he reaches by comparing the markings on the walls with the various openings available in the room.

Derrick nods in emphatic agreement with Hoa's assertion about preferring her brain stay on the inside and tries not to think too hard about what Alyssa is implying. He moves from one side of the room to another while apparently examining markings in the room.

The strange graft he had acquired earlier was paying off. He points out his observations to the rest of the group. "I won't second guess returning to the surface, but I don't think we need to worry about another one of these things. Look here."

The older man bows his head slightly at Artor's comment.

"I am weak, but the Sovereign One is strong, and merciful to deliver us."

He gratefully catches his breath for several minutes as the others talk, thoughtfully reflecting upon the last thoughts of the creature.

"I was able to establish telepathic contact with the construct during the battle, and read the construct's dying thoughts.  It was associated with some type of living wall, something of metal and tissue interspersed.  The wall was somehow a producer of foodstuffs, responsive to the needs of... whatever it was designed to feed.  It grieved for those deprived of the needed food, now long dead..."

With some effort, he rises to look at what Derrick has discovered...

Derrick moves from glyph to glyph, studying them intently and trying to divine their meaning for some clue as to what more might be found in the room.

Derrick rolled 9 using 1d20.  Salvage Numenera (2 Effort). Diff 5, but it up to a diff 6 if someone helps.

Hoa Sen did what she could to assist Derrick in his investigations; she'd been abnormally obtuse about numenera for as long as she could remember. Perhaps, though, she could glean some clues as to the culture that had left these ruins behind.

Derrick's searching does, indeed, yield valuable finds (and some discoveries of dubious value).  Firstly, he has been able to collect 9 shins from various places around the room.  They are quite lovely and reflective, although it's unclear where they might be spent any time soon.

He has found a few cyphers, as well.  One is a pale blue crystal about the size of his thumb (Crystal virus, lvl 5).  Another is a spray bottle with liquid contents (Growth Stimulator, lvl 3).  The last is an injector with a dark green liquid inside (Verdant Nectar, lvl 4).

And lastly, Derrick has collected two additional objects for further scrutiny.  He is certain they are more than they appear, but he isn't quite sure what they can do.  One is a slender metal tube ending in a point.  The other bulky metal frame with glass plates on each side and a metal compartment at the top.

Letting the others search the room, Artor slows his steps but continues his dance around the Sferic's hall. He smiled at Agatho's humble nature, his mask reflecting his feeling, "Associated, you say? An ally? A servant? What was the nature of the relationship between this ... harvester.. and the wall?"

In reply to Artor (msg # 328):

"A producer of food stuff? I wonder... perhaps we could one day restore this wall to feed the villagers?" Alyssa turns away from the wall and examines the strange objects found.

Well using some effort (two times) + trained in understanding numenera to ease the roll thrice.

09:52, Today: Alyssa Yulo rolled 13 using 1d20.  Understanding the artifacts (eased thrice).


This message was last edited by the player at 08:53, Sun 28 Feb 2021.

Alyssa is able to figure out that the thin tube is an Ever-write (lvl 1, no depletion) which creates indelible marks on nearly anything, including liquids.  The larger device is a Fabricator (lvl 6, depletion 1d20).  When the necessary materials are placed inside and the proper instructions given, the machine can craft a broad array of items, as long as it has correct parts.

OOC: I can provide a more expansive description later for whoever needs it.

Having laid out the various finds, Derrick lets the other inspect them, but his own eyes linger on the small blue crystal. "I believe that I've heard of these. They take some time to work, but can turn your skin diamond hard. It would be quite the advantage." He looks over at Agatho, the question plain on his face.

"Enough has been changed of my skin", observed Artor wryly, recalling his own tidbits of the numenera before them, "But there is sufficient here to provide a headstart on the settlement, for certain"

"Valuable finds. Well done."

Hoa Sen moves closer to Artor. She lowers her voice—not enough to be conspiratorial—and asks, "Have we resolved what pulled your attention from above, Artor? It seems that clarity, at least, has returned."

The older man considers thoughtfully, trying to make sense of the garbled glimpses of sensed thought.

"It had an overwhelming urge to complete or construct something as we battled, and it thought of the wall as it expired.  Perhaps it sought to build such a wall to produce sustenance again..."


The older man encouragingly nods his own agreement, and glances at the others...


The older man regards the pair with interest as he awaits Artor's reply...

The approval from Agatho is all the encouragement Derrick needs. He presses the small blue crystal to his forehead where it quickly adheres. "This may take some getting used to."

Then he too looks curiously over at Artor.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:30, Thu 04 Mar 2021.

Quiet for several moments, clearly feeling the eyes of everyone on him, Artor wrestles with his thoughts, his emotions. He stares, through his porcelain mask, at the ruin of the machine.

Finally letting out a long breath, he speaks softly, "When I was a child, selling rumours and secrets for scraps... I ventured below the city, below Stirthal. You may know what lies beneath, the Voil Canyon, not bottomless, but deep, so deep..."

He shivered, the continued, "There are things there I will not speak of, dark things, strange even by the measure of the Ninth World... I saw, much... And sometimes I still see echoes of it, that cage. Glimpses of what I could not see otherwise, in the now..."

Looking at the others now, at last, he smiled wryly though a sadness lingered, "You might say not that clarity has returned, but faded once more from me"

In reply to Artor (msg # 336):

"Well, glad that you're back. You had me worried there Artor. Do these episodes happen often?" Alyssa asks.

Artor simply shrugged, “Often as they come, sometimes welcome and wished for...”

He paused to gather himself, “... and sometimes not”

Derrick eyes Artor with a newfound appreciation. The other's strangeness seems no less strange, but now more comprehensible at least. "It was welcome this time. Next time perhaps we shall take more heed of your warnings."