The ruins are constructed, certainly, or once were.  Eons of wear and neglect have let trees and other vegetation grow on all but the most vertical surfaces (and even some of those).  There is a wall, of sorts, of irregular height that stretches out roughly east and northwest from the point the explorers have reached.  It's not entirely clear if the remains are of a single vast building or a series of interconnected, smaller constructions.  The outer "wall" of the area is anywhere from 8 to 22 feet high, depending on damage, decay, and tree growth.

The largest opening in the outer perimeter permits access to the more deeply shadowed interior.  It seems like a well-traveled area, with the ground pounded clear of plant life by innumerable footsteps, although no movement betrays what may be lurking within (or soon returning).

"Well, we only get one shot at this." Alberic places the eyepiece over his human eye and activates the Eyebug. "Make a full circuit of the inside of the perimeter wall."

Then he releases the Eyebug, and hopes his instruction was clear enough...

The bug of the eyebug hops off of Alberic's hand in the direction he has set it, toward the "entrance" to the ruins.  Soon, the image in the view readjusts from daylight to an artificially enhanced view of the tunnels/paths within.

From such a low angel, it's impossible to see clear details of the ground, so there is no way to examine any footprints inside.  The bug begins a strange, circuitous journey, broadcast to Alberic.  There seem to be several buildings or constructions built in from the outer "wall".  In some places, what may be doorways can be seen.  They are often partially collapsed or obstructed.  There are other solid shapes that seem to have no clear access to their interiors.  At times, the bug seems to be almost backtracking as it returns from a "blind alley".  Sometimes, there are paths that extend past the next junction, but the bug turns back toward the perimeter again, as instructed.

After an hour of slow progress (the bug isn't terribly large and the ground was often uneven), Alberic gets the sense that he's seen more than half of the interior perimeter, but not all of it.  The bug's journey was intercut with occasional glimpses of sun, small scurrying creatures, and deep openings that feed into subsurface darkness.  There were a few places that seemed like possible other exits, although they seemed to be of smaller diameter than the one in front of the explorers.

"Quite a warren in there." Alberic muses, as the signal from the Eyebug goes dead. He removes the eyepiece, and tucks it into a pocket, as if he might use it in some other device in future. "Still, there are other ways in... perhaps less well used. Maybe they are a safer approach?"

Mhari watches the displayed video record as the scouting bug moves about with anxious and somewhat annoyed interest {that cipher just got majorly nerfed ~ we learned nothing we don't already know}.

In reply, "...what disturbs me is that not once did we see any of the inhabitants ~ guards, civilians or otherwise!  Makes me think there were all hiding, and somehow expecting us and our cipher scout!  We certainly should avoid the main entrance, that screams walking into an ambush!  We should use one of the less used entrances.  There is Obviously Some community there why they are all hiding should be a warning that their intentions upon visitors is not kindness!"

"Or they are nocturnal..." Alberic muses. "Or too few in number for us to spot in such a large area." He sighs. "Still - as you say, the front entrance feels like we will be walking into trouble."

"Well, then - shall we make our way round to one of the side entrances?" Alberic asks, readying his pack and staff. "I guess we need to move quietly if our hosts may be home..."

Mhari nods, "Very well..."

He will lead the way as stealthily as possible around away from the obvious main entrance... again using his two-handed crystalline yatagan to test the ground before him for deadfalls and tripwires looking for alarms or traps.  He will go slow.. mindful to check up in the trees for sentries, and watchman blinds up in the trees to observe anyone trying to approach the settlement unobserved.

The Glaive is looking for a side entrance to the settlement...

"Or whoever has been here is now gone..." Zalbane offers in a quiet voice as she follows Mhari and Alberic, eyes watchful for another way in, even something like a crack that could be widened with work.

Passing around the ruins in the same direction the eyebug went, the trio is able to find a hole, slightly oval and about three feet in diameter, that allows access (and some light) into the ruins.  The tiny tracks of the little survey bot are still visible in the dirt of the floor.

Apart from the crinkling of leaves beneath their feet and the calls of the various smaller denizens of the forest, they see nothing of note as they travel, nor any signs they have been seen.

Zalbane nods and then folds herself down to her hands and knees.  "All right, I'm going to go in.  I'll give a little whistle if everything is clear, and likely a scream if it's not," she says, and hunches down to crawl into the crack, then unfold herself and look and listen for anything dangerous.  If all seems clear, she'll whistle for the others and see if she can spot any tracks other than those of the survey bot.

Mhari nods at Zalbane's volunteering, muttering, "...just be careful.. take no unnecessary risks."

He switches weapons, sheathing the crystal Yatagan back across his back and readying his Transparent Plastic Shield and drawing his azure steel rapier, Stormheart.. in hand.

In the back of his mind he heard the faint telepathic whispers of Z'Dakk, {Not going in ground thing hole. Will glide high above... good winds today.}
This message was last edited by the player at 14:14, Thu 03 June 2021.

Alberic also nods, grimly, and readies his clock hand.

Zalbane's foray doesn't run into immediate danger.  The ruins seem quiet within.  She is able to notice a couple things that the bug could not.

First, there are some footprints here besides the bug's.  They seem quasi-humanoid, but it's difficult to discern if they are of the same species, as there is a fair bit of variety.  They seem to approach the hall with the rupture to the outside (Zalbane's entrance) and then retreat.  Perhaps a patrol that doesn't want to reveal it's presence?

Second, the light pouring from the ceiling farther down the hall, at least at this intersection, is not direct sunlight, as it first appeared.  It seems designed to mimic the color and angle of the light, but it is cast from a fixture in the ceiling.  This ruin (facility?  vehicle?  city?) still has some means of powering aspects of itself.

Mhari will enter after a few moments.  When Zalbane does not trigger a trap or cry out from any sudden attack Mhari enters cautiously moving to her side to stand at her shoulder.

He gestures for Alberic to join them at the quasi-humanoid tracks.

"Ok.  It's clear at least to me that this is no ruins but a perhaps 'sparcely' populated/settlement community of some sort.  Those are clearly some form of powered illumination.. working powered technology tends to need to be maintained.  So this place is not abandoned at the very least.  If our goal is the start a New Clave... trespassing in areas claimed by our nearby neighbors is NOT the best way to have peaceful relations.  We have spotted no guards or sentries, run afoul of no traps, and seen no evidence of violent or hostile nature in this community 'grizzly corpses put on display or mutilated remains discarded about'... I believe we should change our approach..."

With that Mhari re-sheaths Stormheart, and restores his plastic shield to carrying it on his back.

"Let's try to encourage them to meet us openly.  I don't know exactly what is powering those lights... but if its electricity.. I 'may' with my gifts of the 'Holy Lightning' be able to trace the flow of energy to the power source which may in turn lead us to whoever is maintaining this settlement ~ I can only try!"

With that Mhari walks out into a main thoroughfare of the settlement speaking out loud & clearly, "Hello?!? Is anyone here?  We are not of hostile intent.. we just wish to meet with you.  I'm sorry we were so ..rude before we had no idea if this was a Community or of your intentions. We are sorry.. we are from a nearby community.. perhaps we can open some trade and mutual cooperation?"

He raises his hands toward one of the lighting plates above and stretches out his sense of the lighting, he has never tried something like this before  and attempts to 'feel' the electricity IF that is what is powering the lighting plate to see if he can partially 'attune' himself with the flow of the electricity.. like he sort of does when he 'Rides the Lighting'... to see if he can follow the flow to the source within the ruins.

10:43, Today: Mhari 'Stormbolt' rolled 13 using 1d20.  Positive and Pleasant Social Interaction - Trained [Effort/1,  Edge 2, Total cost 0 Int]. – 13

10:45, Today: Mhari 'Stormbolt' rolled 18 using 1d20.  Perception - Sense and follow 'electrical' power [if present] 'Ride the Lighting' {trained?}. – 18
This message was last edited by the player at 14:52, Sun 06 June 2021.

Mhari's sense of the light fixture is that there is some type of electrical power involved, but that power seems very self-contained.  There are no lines or conduits coming or going.  Each light seems to contain it's own tiny, durable power source.  That the lights are somehow coordinated with the sun seems to be a trick lost to the ancient onces.

There is no vocal response to Mhari's call, unless you count a few roused bats that squeak and squeal at the interruption of their sleep.  But below the explorers, some movement or shuffling can be heard, sounds emanating from a wide hole in the floor with a ramp of rubble leading deeper, perhaps far away?

OOC: You three make an Intellect roll to get a better sense of what is going on around you, please.  You may apply whatever skill you feel is most appropriate.

Alberic cautiously glances towards the hole, and pauses for a moment, listening carefully. He touches a couple of buttons on his left arm, pushes his hat back and carefully squints through his artificial eye.

08:04, Today: Alberic rolled 12 using 1d20.  Perception to work out what is happening. 1 Level of Effort (free from 3 Edge). No skills or assets.

Also, Alberic will use Sense "Magic", to see if any Numenera are active in the area. Costs 1 Int - I assume I can claim this for free using Edge as a separate action from the perception check?

Mhari regards the sink-hole like depths of the entrance listening for the the sounds of movement or settling stone...

07:10, Today: Mhari 'Stormbolt' rolled 20 using 1d20.  Mhari Perception  check. – 20
~ That's  a Nat 20!

"Well, it could also be that those who pass this place by use it as a waystation of sorts.  There was evidence of someone having used this place but some days back when I first saw it.  That makes it less of a colony and more of a communal camping site.  Which isn't necessarily bad, particularly if it has power. It could be a guest quarters, or an embassy..." Zalbane muses.


OOC: 04:04, Today: Zalbane rolled 9 using 1d20.  Perception (2E) S.

Zalbane catches bits of murmuring from the hole below, but could be any number of things like a subterranean river, a nest of bats, or some strange trick of the wind, even if it might sound a bit like voices.

Mhari notes clearly that there are voices below, not close and still hushed.  The language seems almost understandable, just on the edge of comprehension, and from voices that can at least mimic something like human speech.  Perhaps a local dialect of Truth?  Either way, the speakers don't seem to be moving toward the hole.  In the distance, on his own level and from the area not explored by Alberic's eye bug, he hears a faint clicking sound, one that very easily might be moving closer to the hole that Mhari is standing beside.

"I think there might be voices or maybe water over there.  If it's water, that would be very useful!" Zalbane says, pointing to the hole.  She goes over to it to carefully look down inside.

Mhari hears the voices... but then hears also something approaching...

He hisses urgently, "Zalbane! Alberic... Get back! Get to cover... something large approaches!"

Mhari hops back from the edge of the hole... placing his hand upon the hilt of Stormheart... ready to draw his blade, but clearly he's staying out in the open to face whatever he heard approaching from the hole.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:27, Fri 18 June 2021.

Alberic steps back from the hole as instructed, retreating back towards any cover he can find, Still, he grasps his Clock Hand staff firmly, ready to defend himself, and the others.

OOC: I need an initiative roll from each of you, please.  You have an asset from Mhari's warning.  You are not in combat yet and have not sighted the threat(?), but I want to give you the chance to prepare your reactions, if pertinent.

OOC:  08:51, Today: Alberic rolled 10 using 1d20.  Initiative. 1 asset (Mhari's warning).
This message was last edited by the player at 15:49, Mon 21 June 2021.