With a 'pop' Stella and Bohrhorgen disappear.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:59, Wed 03 Mar 2021.

In reply to rchmage (msg # 1):

Wakka wakka

Hmm

Lady Stella I want you to stay very close to me.  we know the situation here is not as secure as it looks, and all of this will be for nothing if I can't keep you safe.  We need to find uncle Dugan, I want him to know what we know and he will know where is the safest place to contain our clockwork problem.  I want to look in his office first.  Please stay alert.  If not there,
Torin should know where he is, keep your eyes open for him too.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:37, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

Stella nods, her hand hovers between her small mace and her holy symbol of Rava, the Gear Goddesss.

As you exit the room, the door across the hall is Herr Dugans office, to the right is the entry door, to the left is a 4 way intersection. You're aware  that the right leads to the kitchen, the left to Torins room, and straight ahead to the rest of the level. You hear the clatter of dishes from the kitchen, the cook and maids talking n animated tones but the sound is muted by the closed door. A dwarf stands at the entrance door, his back to you. You recognize him as one of the apprentice weapons math, you recall his name, Broubuc Brickfall. He appears to be watching through a peephole at the entrance area. He has not noticed you yet, in spite of your heavy armor and lack of stealth.

Bohrhorgen grabs Broubuc by the shoulder in a vice-like grip and whispers in his ear "See something interesting, beardling?  With conflict brewing it is bad form to be spying..."
Bohrhorgen spins him around so he can glare deep into his eyes "What is this, and make it quick or else I will have Torin see to it you are fed to the kobolds!"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:36, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

Broubuc jumps in surprise. He turns around, his eyes big as saucers, "Master Kegdrainer! Be ye a ghost come for vengeance?" After a moment he calms down. "But no, ghosts don't grab ears like that." He starts to look embarrassed, but not guilty, "my task has been set by Torin, to watch the front door. We are on full alert, the forges and foundry are cold, the kobolds have declared a 'me no work day,' attack is expected." He slumps a little, robably embarrassed to have been surprised by a Dwarf in Plate. "Herr Dugan and Torin are in the foundry, inspecting the defenses."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:46, Thu 11 Mar 2021.

Very good.  You, err, didn't do very well on the alertness drill.  Always watch your six.  Lady Stella, let's be off to the foundry.   Bohrhorgen makes his way down to the foundry, stopping long enough to try to get a meal from the cooks in the kitchen no idea when the next opportunity will be
This message was last edited by the player at 07:38, Thu 11 Mar 2021.

Broubac looks down with chagrin. "I will strive for better, Master Kegdrainer. Is it true that we face the Darakhul and their formless allies?" He picks up a small gong and hammer laying next to him and speaks at your retreating back. "I won't let you down sir!"

The cook in the kitchen gives you the same disapproving look she's given you as long as you can remember, that breaks into a smile immediate after. As close to a mother as you've had growing up, Gilda understands the working needs of craftsmen. In response to your request for food, she quickly assembles 4 large sandwiches, and instructs you to take two of them to your Uncle and Torin before handing one to both you and Stella. She watches you leave, a mixture of pride and worry on her face before turning back to her work.

With Stella following, you leave the kitchen, taking a right to continue straight from the main door before taking another right into the workers break room, continuing diagonally across the room to the stairs down to the foundry. The stairs down have a landing down one flight then a curving right turn that brings you down one more flight to the foundry and clockwork construction room. A place that you realize many craftsmen in the city would gladly sacrifice a finger to observe in action. As renowned as the armor and weapons of Herr Dugans are, the clockwork is where his name has gained its highest reputation. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, the quiet sets you back, seldom has there been a time when the foundry has not been running and you find the silence offensive to your dwarven senses.

A table in front of you gives a convenient place to set the meal sent by the cook, freeing your hands. As you turn to survey the area for your uncle, you hear his voice coming from the shrine room through the open door in the southwest corner of the foundry room. "Other than the sewers, I don't think we're vulnerable anywhere else except down here." Uncle Dugan steps out through the doorway, speaking over his shoulder to Torin who is following him. "If necessary, we fall back to here and... Bohrhorgen! Good to see you lad! And Lady Stella, praise Rava."

The ceiling of the foundry is 15 feet high, the rooms have been excavated by dwarven craftsmen over the years and are smooth and seamless. Doors are of steel construction to cut down the possibility of fires. Very little flammables are allowed in the foundry proper. A lift in the northwest corner lifts large cast items to street level. Opened by clockwork winches and steel cable.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:44, Sun 14 Mar 2021.

I'm glad I found you, my companions are not far behind. This attack is our fault too so we will do what we can to fix it. We are expecting Silence to come after us. We cannot beat him in a straight fight so we are hoping to trap him at least until the fight is over.  We should set up in the lowest levels since a strong force should be coming that way.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:09, Sun 14 Mar 2021.

You hear Dugan mutter to Torin, "Just keeps getting better and better." They walk toward you and Dugan notices the sandwiches on the table. "Let's compare Intel while we eat then lad." He sits down while Torin steps into the cooler, returning quickly with a smallkeg and 4 cold glasses. As you all sit and eat, Uncle Dugan looks over and says,"Best you start lad, I'll fill in after with what we know" While you're explaining, several dwarves enter, some from the stairs, some from the shrine, another from the cooler. They listen as you speak. All are wearing armor and carry weapons and shields.

...so that's the short and sweet of it.  Ghoul lord, ghosts and Silence. We'll need any clerical assistance we can get.  We have bait and thought a good trap for silence could make a huge difference.
Mercenaries on the surface.  Also, anyone who sees flying insects kill them on sight. We have additional back up underground. 
This message was last edited by the player at 06:28, Sun 14 Mar 2021.

"Should we go get our scaled friends? I can fetch the big one, but you'll have to open the door if we want the other. He's not a weak cleric, by the way."

We should do that right away
Bohrhorgen gets up from the table and heads to the sewer entrance

Uncle Dugan escorts you to the shrine in the southwest corner of the room. He grumbles a little. "Not sure what good it is having a secret door when everyone seems to know about it." He pushes the secret door latch and it opens with a click. "Tymon is the common denominator in all this. The Mouse King takes care of his people through manipulation of more capable races using the information his minions gather. His recent death gives certain individuals incentive to step up, in a bid to become the new Mouse King. I personally don't like being manipulated, but the Darakhul are due for a trimming back, as it were."

He claps a hand on your shoulder, "Be careful Bohrhorgen, you venture into dangerous territory. I have sent out requests for help." At that moment, you hear heavy footsteps approaching the door to the Shrine.  A gearforged steps through the door. Unlike most gearforged, which are tall and human proportioned, this one is built along Dwarvish lines, short and stocky. Uncle Dugan appears surprised and pleased all at once. "Gordun! It's good to see you lad. I wasn't aware you were in town. Come in and meet your cousin. Bohrhorgen,  meet your cousin Gordun Stonecrusher. Gordun, meet your cousin Bohrhorgen. Hmm, perhaps Gordun could accompany you, yes?" The gear forged steps forward and offers his arm to clasp. "It's good to meet you cousin, I would gladly accompany you should you deem it appropriate." You notice Gordun has an armored build and has the symbol of Rava, the Gear Goddess, etched into his pectoral plates. It's a good guess he is a cleric of Rava.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

The suprises keep coming today. Lady Stella can you stay here to look after my uncle for a while and keep an eye out for the others while I fetch a few of our friends?  Please come with me, cousin, I could use someone to watch my back.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 07:01, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Gordun steps up to the door, "It will be my pleasure. I assume you know the way." He pulls the Dwarven war axe strapped to his back out. I'm ready."

The sewers are, well,  just as disgusting as last time. There is a main line heading towards the river. You're pretty sure that it's the same one that the area with the door drains into. There are many small inlets from different buildings above and occasionally you spot a slot above for storm water to drain out of the street. Every 100 yards or so there is a metal ladder attached to the wall leading to a manhole above. Rats and lizards scurry away at your approach, and occasionally something causes the slurry to swirl, keeping you alert and closer to the wall on the 5 ft. walkway you traverse. Gordun follows you, keeping his mouth shut and eyes open, but he makes more noise than you due to his mechanical nature.

After 5 manholes, you start to scrutinize the side passages carefully, sensing that you're close to the one you seek. Finding one you think is correct you start down it, realizing that you're coming towards it from the opposite side you originally approached it from. Ahead you spot the wall that's a door. Moving towards it, suddenly a figure moves out of the shadow, big and imposing, scaring the snot out of you. Before you do more than jerk back in startlement you recognize Flak, the larger Lizardman, standing so still your gaze slid over him. He looks at you with an impassive gaze. You realize you don't recall ever hearing him speak, Katrusa did the talking for both of them. Flak nods once then turns his gaze to the wall.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:05, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Nodding to Flak and making a hand motion to indicated Gordun is with him Bohrhorgen approaches the wall/door and tries to open it, expecting to find Katrusa the shaman beyond it.

Gordun looks on as you pull out the stone tablet and concentrate on it. He takes a step back as the door materializes. Then steps forward as you open it. Flak takes the lead through the door, his head swiveling at the intersection. He grunts loudly then heads to the outside plateau. Katrusa is there, looking up at the sky at the stars as the are emerging. He looks over as you appear, and looks prepared to leave. You realize that not a single word has been said since you entered the sewers. Refreshing actually. As you exit the stronghold, a quick glance reveals that the place has been cleaned up and a start has been made on the cave in. Katrusa gets in line behind you and Flak stands behind him, both looking ready to go.

Bohrhorgen looks between the companions and believes it is time to break the silence.
 We still know nothing about you. Where are you from and why were you in that complex?  Time is short, but at least a simple answer is better than nothing.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 19:41, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

Katrusa cocks his head and looks at Flak. You wonder if they are communicating in some way. After a long moment he turns to you.
"We seek a religious Icon. Stolen from our home complex. We speak little about its composition as people covet its material.  Our research leads us to believe it has been taken to the stars. The dragon children in the prison complex shot us with poison darts and put us in the prison. Our leader transported us to this world, our path is our responsibility from here. Retrieval of the Icon is... important."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:56, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

I think I understand. You have been steadfast companions, even with our paths aligning to this point.  We are going to fight more of those that are keeping us from the sea of stars. They threaten my family, and I ask you to help me protect them. Bohrhorgen looks at Gordun when he mentions his family, I will do what I can to aid you in your search when the time comes.

Katrusa nods once, "It is well."

You turn your attention to returning back to Uncle Dugans. Something feels off, you sense a change in the atmosphere. It's a subconscious feeling that you almost ignore. The sewers aren't safe, you're sure of it.

Well, well, well.  It's about time. Bohrhorgen hefts his axe This is my father's axe: Graz Kruhl, which means "the Ender" in the common tongue.  In the hands of clan Kegdrainer it has drunk deeply the blood of villains and tyrants, demons, every type of undead imaginable and some that defy imagination. Every foe that has stood against clan Kegdrainer. It has been almost a day since it has spilled the blood of an enemy, and it is very thirsty indeed.  Even though none of you are my blood, any being that stands with me against the enemies of clan Kegdrainer is my brother.  Let's go, be on high alert, we're no longer alone.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:48, Thu 18 Mar 2021.

Katrusa reaches into his backpack and hands both you and Flak a flask. "Healing"

They all line up, Gordun next to you, Katrusa behind you with Flak next to him. They await your lead.

Bohrhorgen concentrates on the tablet to reopen the door, passes through into the sewers and immediately looks for enemies, trying to still his breath to listen to the sewers around him.

As you enter the sewers, the hackles on your neck raise up. You've heard of this phenomenon before. Tunnel Sense. You move away from the tunnel you came in, too many enemies that way. Continuing down the side passage, you pass the manhole you entered the day you chased the rat ogre down the tunnel. Was that yesterday? Or the day before? Things have been moving so fast it's been difficult to keep track. Focus. The path in front of you crosses another main sewer channel and you stick to the side tunnels as much as possible. Your Tunnel Sense doesn't desert you and you're certain of where you are in the maze of passages. At any moment you could point directly ay your uncles' location. As you continue, your companions doing their best to be silent, you notice there is a lack of vermin in the area. You haven't seen a rat, mouse, or furry critter of any kind since you stepped out of the smugglers' den. But, the cockroaches are still there, some as big as your forearm. You start heading back towards Uncle Dugans from the east, having swung wide around your original path. You sense there is no way ahead without contact. Coming up to a Tee between a side passage and one of the main ways that border Uncle Dugans, you peer around the corner and spot four Darakhul, barely visible in the almost darkness. They are facing outward on both sides of the drain leading into the main drains in the manor proper. They appear alert, with weapons drawn. They wear leather armor, carry light crossbows, and hold flails. They appear to be guarding the sewer entrance.


22:13, Today: rchmage, on behalf of Bohrhorgen, rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Knowledge Dungeoneering.

You realize the sewers would be a weak point to incorporeal undead, there could be Spectres, or Shadows, or who knows what intangible threats in the manor at this moment. The closest opening upstairs would be near the kitchen.

OOC: I am keeping track of rounds now. Time matters.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:18, Sun 21 Mar 2021.

Bohrhorgen raises his hand, clenched in a fist.  He raises four fingers and waves down the hall towards the Ghouls.  He crouches, and knowing Dwarves are very dangerous over short distances, barrels down the passage toward the ghouls at full speed!

As you barrel down the passage, two of the Darakhul spot you in time to react. One pulls a crossbow out in a smooth action and sends a bolt towards you, it pings off your armor. The other steps forward and left, into the 10' wide side passage.


15:50, Today: rchmage, for the NPC Darakhul Scout, rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  initiative.

18:24, Yesterday: rchmage, for the NPC Gordun, rolled 7 using 1d20.  initiative.

18:22, Yesterday: rchmage, for the NPC Katrusa, rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  initiative.

18:21, Yesterday: rchmage, for the NPC Flak, rolled 13 using 1d20+6.  initiative.

18:19, Yesterday: rchmage, on behalf of Bohrhorgen, rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  initiative.

Katrusa casts a spell, reaching up and touching your axe, which ignites into flame.

The two scouts on the back row pull crossbows and shoot. One manages to find a gap in Bohrhorgens armor but the Adamantine does not allow it to pass far enough in to damage him.

Gordun, Flak, and the 2 front scouts all delay. Bohrhorgen is up.

Bohrhorgen waves to his right at the Ghoul in the tunnel and charges forward to the rear ghoul, putting himself in the dangerous position of being in the middle of the ghoul party!

He has them right where he wants them!

Narrowly dodging the Darakhul scout he swings a mighty blow at the crossbow wielding pair in the back and tears into the brickwork at their feet.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

The two scouts drop their crossbows and pull their short swords. 3 of them attack Bohrhorgen, sliding into flanking where possible, his armor blocks two of the strikes but the one to his back finds an opening and deals 11 points (total, before DR) damage.

The 4th scout attacks Flak as he approaches, missing terribly.

Gordun moves forward, "By the Power of Rava, begone abomination!". An aura emanates from the Gear symbol emblazoned on his chest, somehow lessening the undead.

Flak steps up, a Halberd in his hands once again. He swings it in an overhead arc down onto a scout, killing him thoroughly, lightning crackling up and down the bronze blade.


New round: Katrusa steps up to Q6, next to Flak. He casts the spell light on his mace, giving better illumination to the area.

Bohrhorgen is up.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:13, Tue 30 Mar 2021.

Very nice Gordun, watch this!

Bohrhorgen adjusts the grip on his Axe and goes to town! Two darakhul lay dead (really dead) at his feet.

Gordun pulls his Warhammer and smacks the last scout, leaving it woozy but standing.

Flak steps over and finishes the last scout off.

The tunnel is yours!
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 05:42, Tue 30 Mar 2021.

Seeing the drain is way too small to climb into, Bohrhorgen looks to his party and hustles toward the secret entrance to the forge. Running towards the stairs to the kitchen, he bangs his axe on his shield yelling Alarm, alarm!  The undead are here!  To arms!

As Bohrhorgen starts to move towards the corner, he hears a faint female scream coming from the drain the scouts were guarding. Fear prickles the back of his neck as he races toward the secret door leading back in to the Shrine.