Kreo, Frack, Procz: I put one last wrap-up post in your thread before locking it. The transition here is probably still a little jarring, but I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to get everyone together.

Veracity, in the moments before the crane smashed into the staircase, traced with a keen eye the intricate chain of belts, pulleys, and gears that drove the cranes. There! and there! she was able to point out to the others, including three newcomers who had just burst through the door. She could only hope they were allies. Her pointing purple finger indicated two critical cogs which, if bent or destroyed, should render the cranes inoperable.

Unfortunately, none of the others could act on the information quickly enough to spare poor Vecaal. The dangling cargo smashed into the stairs right where the dragonborn dangled, and none who saw the impact could help grimacing at the brutality of it.

To make matters worse, a second crane was converging on the staircase as well, ready to ram it next round.

That's a 20 to hit for 9 bludgeoning damage, and in case that's not good enough, Vecaal also has a -2 to AC due to his precarious position. Vecaal, you'll then have to make a DC 15 Athletics or Acrobatics check to maintain your grip. If you fail, you'll fall for 12 damage unless you use your action to fly, as we discussed.

Everyone else: Veracity has pointed out two gear trains that could be broken to shut down the cranes (she already failed an Investigation check to look for a way to control the cranes without breaking them, so I didn't include that in the result, but someone else could use an action to Investigate for this if they wanted). The nearer set of gears is 25' from the staircase. The further is 40'.

Kreo, Frack, and Procz have just entered and are 40' from the stairs or 60' from either of the attackable gears. I rolled initiative for the three of you, badly :-). So everyone can post actions now (including Veracity, for next round), and our order is:

Vecaal
Baern
Frack
Kreo
Procz
Veracity

Vecaal, I have you acting after the cranes because it's more convenient for me :-). But I also think it will be better for you, as you won't have wasted your movement if they do knock you off. I've been deliberately vague about the height of the stairs but I'll tell you now it's 100', so even a Dash action wouldn't get you to the top this round.

The dragonborn braced as best he could for the impact but the cargo sling slammed into him with such momentum that his efforts seemed almost laughable.  The impact swung his body out off the twisted stairway, only one taloned hand maintaining contact with a twisted handrail. Vecaal flailed precariously for a moment, his body almost parallel to the ground below, before gravity brought him back into the damaged metal structure.  Banging hard against the stairway, he barely managed to hold on and avoid disaster.  Grunting in pain, he secured his grip and searched the ceiling for whatever Veracity was pointing out.

Spotting the closest cog, the dragonborn reached one hand down by his waist and then flung out his arm with full extension.  A glowing golden dagger flew from his hand toward the mechanism.  Using his momentum he swapped his grip on the stairs, spun, and sent another golden dagger spinning toward the cog.  Then, with what appeared to be a grin or grimace (it was always hard to tell with a dragonborn) his slithered up the stairway, hoping to get ahead of the next crane barreling his way.

OOC:
10:46, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics.  Just made it to hang on to the stairs!

Attack 1 hits AC16 (augmented by bardic inspiration) for 6 dmg.
11:04, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  Attack.
11:04, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 6 using 1d6.  Bardic Inspiration.
11:11, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 6 using 1d6+3.  Damage.

Attack 2 misses.
11:13, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

Climb 30 ft upward with Move action.  Successful roll already provided.

Die roller is toying with me already...

Procz still had the image of the workers in his mind's eye when he entered the factory, thinking about their injuries. Normal factory work wasn't that dangerous, was it?

His attention was soon caught by the cranes attacking the people inside. This trio did not look like workers, he thought. His keen eyes wandered along chains and gears and mechanisms, analyzing their design and function. His kobold heritage beared with his uncanny mind wasn't always reliable, however. The noise and the turmoil was distracting. He was looking for a control panel or at least some way of shutting them down.

Investigate 14.

Frack watched with mouth agape as one of the cranes nearly pulverized the unfortunate dragonborn on the staircase. While he didn't know who or what was controlling the cranes, he thought it best if they didn't attack anyone.

Cast Sanctuary on Vecaal. Not sure it works. Depends on whether the attacker is a creature. Regardless, Frack will give it a shot.

"Hang on, Vecaal!"

Baern raced towards the nearest gear and arrived with Bessie in hand, ready to do something.... he just wasn't sure what it was yet.

Veracity looked up in shock at Vecaal being smashed by the crane's heavy cargo, and broke character to exclaim to Baern, "Shit!  Why can't we ever have fun surprises?"  Just then she spotted a trio of newcomers approaching from the factory front, and recognized the kobold constable and the armored goblin who had confronted the Steel Resolve earlier!  They had only spied the start of that conflict from afar, but it seemed that this group had somehow gained entry despite the lockdown.  This situation had already gotten dangerously out of hand, so any worries about being caught would have to fall by the wayside now.  Time to improvise!

Returning to character as Roxie the laborer, the tiefling cried out to all present, "Machines are on the fritz!  Gear trains are there, and there.  Jam 'em, smash 'em, whatever ya gotta do!"  She put a hand on the big newsboy cap and dashed toward the further gear train, purple tail curling behind her.  The tiefling 'laborer' snatched up the biggest broken tool piece she could find along the way in hopes to jam it into the gears!

---

Moving to the gear train 40' from the stairs.  If 30 feet of movement gets me close enough to literally throw a wrench in the works then give that a try, or otherwise Dash to close the remaining distance to try next turn!

Kreo pushed towards the gears that the purple tiefling pointed out, and motioned with his hand, speaking arcane chants as fire formed on his fingers, flicking it towards the gear

OOC: fire bolt, attack roll 11, damage 10 fire if it hits

"As I live, I think that purple tail might be familiar! Say miss, have we met before . . ."

He knew full well Veracity was among Baz's crew, but one didn't want to assume

Couple mid-round updates with new information:

Baern: I'm assuming you're approaching the nearer of the two gear assemblies. As you do so, a welding torch pivots away from whatever it was working on and, as if possessed of a mind of its own, attempts to torch you. DC 12 Dex save or you take 5 fire damage. If your passive Perception is 15 or higher you can roll with advantage.

Once past that hazard, you can attempt to disassemble the gears with your wrench. DC 12 Tinker Tools check.

Procz: Your eye follows the train of gears and belts back to a pair of booths from which you believe the cranes could be operated. They are roughly 90' from you stand now.

Vera: DC 19 Sleight of Hand check if you want to attempt this. Success will disable the mechanism, no damage roll required. If you miss, the knife will land by the gears, 10' from where you are now, so you'd still be able to recover it and take an action next round.

Also, as you approach the gears, a buzz saw lifts up from a table and attempts to give you an impromptu haircut. DC 12 Dex save of you take 5 slashing damage. If your passive Perception is 15 or higher you can roll with advantage.

No new actions for anyone yet, though I believe Procz still has movement coming to him this round if he wants it. Just resolving some stuff from the previous batch of actions.

Baern reached the assembly, Bessie in hand, and stared at the multitude of spinning cogs and spooling belts. "Alright. I'm listening. But you'd better speak fast."

He felt the heat before he fully registered the blow torch pivot from the assembly line. Maybe one of the gearspirits had called out to him in unspoken warning. Maybe it was just deep rooted svirfneblin instinct. Either way, somehow Bearn knew to drop away. The flame sputtered fitfully above him as he rolled out of reach.

Clamping Bessie's hookjaw on one of the nuts bracketing a gear shaft he wrenched it back and kicked the gear free of the assembly. Immediately the downstream gear-train seized to a halt.

"I think.... I think I did it!" he called out. Then, suddenly remembering that the torch was still close by he backed away guardedly.

Baern has advantage on the dex save due to Danger sense.
Tinkering check 20

13:45, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 20 using 2d20+1, dropping the lowest dice only.  Tinkering.
13:43, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 17 using 2d20+2, dropping the lowest dice only.  Dex save.

Procz signaled Zúm to head for the booths at full speed! The mechanical dog sprang forward and Procz clutched the reins tightly in his hand.


Zúm takes a Dash action 80 ft.
No movement from Procz himself.

'Roxie' the totally legitimate factory laborer did a double-take toward the voice, and realized that the third member of the approaching party was more familiar than the shorter duo leading the way.  Somehow she'd missed a particular jaunty satyr on the scene!  The tiefling said in the rough voice of a hard-living tradeswoman, "Hmm, could have done.  You've a fine eye for a lady's tail, mister!"  She gave Kreo a side-eye wink that wrinkled false crow's feet.  Though Veracity was in disguise and playing a role, the look was close enough to her own to be recognizable.

The tiefling dashed toward the further gear train and spotted a buzzsaw rising up from a nearby worktable.  She grumbled, "Gotta be shittin' me..." as she ducked underneath the whirling sawblade and avoiding it entirely.  Vera flung a bent length of pipe, but it clattered to the floor instead of jamming in the gears.

Baz had been right to have a bad feeling about this place, because this was absolute madness!

---

• Dex save succeeds with a 24, go away buzzsaw
• Sleight of Hand check fails with a 12

10:35, Today: Veracity rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Sleight of Hand.
10:33, Today: Veracity rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Dex save.

Vecaal continued his ascent despite the best efforts of the crane to dislodge him. He was within sight of the top now; one more mad dash would do it. The first crane drew slowly back, making ready to smash the stairs again next round as the second one careened toward the dragonborn for a more immediate collision.

But it came to a sudden, screeching halt as Baern, dodging around a rogue welding torch, managed to disable one of the many gears instrumental to its movement. The crane's cargo swung wildly, raining metal components upon the factory floor in a din that briefly drowned out even the roar of the machines. Fortunately, no one was caught in the cascade.

Frack threw up a protective aura around the scrambling dragonborn.

A firebolt flew from Kreo's fingers but was not hot enough to melt the gears at which she'd hurled it.

With the aid of his mechanical mount, Procz dodged and weaved through the factory's many hazards, drawing near the central control booths without getting scalded or decapitated.

Veracity ducked a saw blade of her own as she drew near the second set of gears. The pipe she tossed clattered harmlessly off them.

The second crane shot forward again, but this time it missed the stairs entirely and slammed its improvised cargo weapon against the wall of the factory. Dust and shards of brick filled the air as a crack splayed along the wall.

The commotion finally attracted the attention of the distant workers, who abandoned their stations and began walking toward the intruders. They were still some 200' away, so only their profiles could be seen in the dim, dust-filled distance: there were four of them, the size and shape of gnomes, patting pipes, wrenches, and hammers menacingly into their open palms as they advanced.

You're all up again. I know there's a lot going on so please let me know if you need me to clarify anything.

Baern has disabled one of the cranes and is close to enough to move and attempt to disable the second this round. Vecaal is 40' from the top of the stairs.

"GO!" Baern yelled, racing ahead to the next gear mechanism. "I've got this one, Vera!"

Already on the look out for the next irate machine spirit, Baern tucked in against the spinning cogs and made a quick assessment of which one needed to come off. Setting Bessie's hook jaw once more he wrenched it free and let it fall to the factory floor with a clatter. The gears spasmed for a moment and then fell idle.

"Right," he said, looking up at the approaching workers. "Lets have a go at it then."

Tinkering check to disable second gear train, 20.

09:49, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 20 using 2d20+1, dropping the lowest dice only.  Tinkering.

"As they say, art recognizes art. But I don't like what those gnomes there might do to my own work of beauty if they catch me with those lead pipes."

Waving his hand in a clockwise motion, Kreo put two fingers up and moved them targeting any nearby water buckets or barrels, causing the water to rise up into a humanoid blob

OOC: shape water? Fun idea maybe?

Before Veracity even made it to the second gear train, Baern swooped in to dislodge a crucial cog that disabled the hostile crane!  The tiefling paused to look at the handiwork, then remarked silently via psychic whisper, [Well, damn.  Seems we've a master saboteur on the crew!  Handy talent, considering all this antagonistic equipment.]  She turned Baern a side-eye, then said aloud in the rough voice of her current role, "Who in the flamin' pits is Vera?  I'm Roxie!"  It was difficult to be a gifted thespian working alongside non-actors liable to blow one's cover!


The tiefling snorted, "Ha!  Whatta charmer."  She looked down the factory floor at the workers leaving their posts to approach with a decidedly unfriendly demeanor.  This situation had gotten quite out of hand, and Vera wasn't keen on getting into a scrap with factory laborers.  With the immediate threat of the cranes dealt with and the workers still far off, Vera kept wary of flying tools and decided to find out what this trio's deal was.

Turning to Kreo and the other new arrivals, 'Roxie' asked, "What is it brings you fellas into this fiasco?  We were just in here tryin' to work when the equipment turned against us!"  It was true enough that they were trying to work, albeit for the Sparks rather than for J.P. Cognelius.

---

• Dodge.  Until start of next turn, any attack roll made against me have disadvantage if Vera can see the attacker, and I make Dex saves with advantage.
• Chit-chat!

Distracted by the downpour of components, Frack stopped to pick up the shiniest of those around him. He examined it for a moment before realizing there was an emergency still unfolding around him. Stuffing the metal fastener in his pocket, he raced after Procz, figuring the kobold constable always knew the right place to go.

Action: Dash (a whopping 40') after Procz.

Procz spurred Zúm to the control booths, where he dismounted. He had noticed some of the humanoids that had been attacked worked to disable the mechanisms themselves. He might not be able to stop them before they were destroyed anyway. But he'd give it a try anyway.

He attempted to see if the different booths controlled different cranes, which meant he would need to use the one still operational, if any. Then locate the proper buttons, levers or actions that would prevent them from doing anything. If neither worked; sabotage might be in order; which would be reasonable as a measure for protecting civilians.

Investigation 13.

Nearing one hundred feet up from the factory floor, Vecaal couldn't be certain if Baern was going to stop the second crane in time or not.  So he continued to scurry up the twisted stairway, a shadow rising up the access structure, one eye watching the crane's careening approach and the other making sure he had secure hand- and foot-holds.  He tried as best he could to keep steel between himself and the onrushing suspended load of the crane, hopefully to deflect the blow's potency when it came.

OOC:
Move action to Climb another 30 ft.  Roll previously provided.

Vecaal climbed ever higher, the platform above and the overseer's office nearly within reach now. A few more feet would do it, provided he didn't lose his grip.

The remaining crane seemed to have other ideas, but it got no opportunity to enact them. Baern grunted as the gears ground to a halt, rendered immobile by his Gearlord-blessed wrench.

Frack ran after Procz, following as close as he could in the kobold constable's footsteps. Yet he imagined to run within range of another mechanical arm wielding a welding torch, an arm which promptly turned the weapon on him. DC 12 Dex save or you take 5 fire damage. If your passive Perception is 15 or higher you can roll with advantage.

Procz himself drew nearer to the control booths and determined they should indeed give him control over the cranes. Baern's tinkering had only temporarily disabled them. Another turn of the wrench could see them up and running again, though that could be attempted once no one was balanced precariously on the twisted remnants of the stairs.

And on that note, Vecaal reached the top at last, pulling himself up onto the grated metal platform which, thankfully, remained largely intact despite the smashing the stairs had received. Just before him stood the office, and a spiderweb of catwalks spread out behind him, spanning the length and width of the factory. The door was closed, but the entire upper half of the wall was glass, enabling the overseer (had there been one present) to survey the factory floor but also enabling the dragonborn to peer in. The office looked cramped, full of levers and dials but also filing cabinets. The rogue's avaricious eye went immediately to a crystalline globe which sat atop a desk at the front of the room, swirling with grey mist. A leatherbound book lay beside it.

Meanwhile, the gnomish workers continued their menacing advance. Their path took them past a cistern which would presumably have been quite popular during the factory's regular functioning, given how it was inside. Kreo's magic summoned forth from the reservoir a vaguely humanoid-shaped blob of water, and though it could hardly have been confused for a living being, the workers turned on it, thrashing it with their tools and growing more angry when it refused to die.

We're done with initiative for the moment.

Vecaal, we'd discussed before the possibility of you throwing down a rope. I forget exactly how much you all had but let's just say everyone will have to make one DC 12 climb check to get to the bottom of the rope then they'll be able to make it the rest of the way up without difficulty. If they're not rushed or otherwise pressed, which they currently aren't, then they can help each other and roll with advantage. Failure will result in falling for 10 damage, but they'll be allowed to attempt (and possibly fall) again.

If Procz and Baern get the cranes up and running under their control, it should also be possible to use those to get folks up to the office.

"Tears of the hammer!" Frack exclaimed, still running as fast as his armor-clad body could carry him. "The room is trying to kill us!"

The goblin chased after his kobold friend toward the control room, evading the welding torch with the help of his trusty shield.

Tyr's Hammer!, was a common exclamation of Frack's former mentor, referring to the hammer of Tyr, god of justice. Frack disappointingly misunderstood the phrase and still uses it (incorrectly) today.

22:54, Today: Frack rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Dex vs. flamethrower!

Procz looked up from the controls and across the factory floor. Those angry-looking workers seemed to be the primary threat at the moment. Why were they still here? Why were they so protective of intrusion?

"Mr. Frack." Procz gave the goblin a nod and then looked up at the office. "I would like to go up there as well, away from both those gnomes and to satisfy my curiosity regarding the nature of this particular manufacturing complex. Unfortunately, I could never make that climb."

"I believe I can control this thing!" Procz yelled hoarsely to the gnome who was clearly not a worker here. "If you can make it operational again, I should be able to set the crane to lift us up!" He lapsed into a coughing fit. Yelling was not good for his lungs.

[I am up to the office.  Let me know if you cannot handle things down there] the dragonborn whispered to his fellow "maintenance" workers.

After the cursory inspection of the office through the windows, Vecaal tested the door.  Should it resist his simple request, he had ways of getting around that.  Once inside he started with the most interesting items, the globe and the leather bound tome book beside it.  He eyed the globe cautiously, sniffing the air around it, and then carefully opened the book with a clawed finger to scan its contents.  Perhaps it described what the globe was, and how it was used?

OOC:
16:05, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Sleight of Hand on door (if needed).

The lock on the door of the overseer's office was serious, but so was Vecaal, who had it open in less than a minute. Breaking the glass was an option, but the rogue was glad it had not come to that. The glass also looked serious.

Inside, the office was cluttered but orderly. It was plain to see how the elevation enabled the occupant to observe any part of the factory floor at any moment while simultaneously denying the workers below the opportunity to determine whether their overseer was at that very moment observing them. Such an arrangement would compel the workers always to toil as if they were being observed, even though the overseer could just as easily be leafing through any of the many file cabinets or fiddling with that expensive-looking orb.

Though no wizard himself, Vecaal knew enough to know what was worth taking when one had limited time for looting. This orb was valuable not only for its components, though those were certainly pricy, but for its craft. It was finely made, a custom job, the dragonborn presumed. There was no telling from looking at it what exactly it did, but the book by its side did indeed provide some clues. It was a spellbook, and the spells within - Vecaal's eye caught Command, Calm Emotions, and Enhance Ability on a cursory flipping through - all seemed of a sort that would make a factory and its workers more productive. And more obedient.

Veracity looked on at the gnomish workers bravely defending the factory against the greatest threat: a wobbly water-blob warrior arisen from their own cistern.  JP Coglinton hires only the best, clearly.  Meanwhile, the kobold constable and the gallant goblin ignored her question to tromp further on into the factory.  That was a tad rude, she thought, but at least they hadn't come looking for disguised burglars.  Not that any such thing was to be found here, anyhow.

Turning to Kreo, 'Roxie' remarked, "That's a fine trick, but likely won't keep 'em busy long.  Seems you and the little lads weren't expected here either, eh?"  Just then Vecaal telepathically reported he had made it to the office, which was good news.  Gazing up to the platform high above, she replied in kind to her Sparks-mates, [Knew you were equal to it, Vec!  Cannily done.  Considering bugging out, as I'd rather not tangle with disgruntled workers nor get us all cornered up in the rafters.  If we give you some time can you nick enough to make this job worthwhile and get back down, Vec?]

Varacity twiddled her fingers toward the water-blob warrior and gave it glowing red eyes, a fanged grin, as well as an electrified truncheon just like those brandished by the Steel Resolve.  This liquid menace must surely be stopped!

---

Minor Illusion to enhance the Shape Water distraction while we figure out what to do!

"Likely story, I hear old J.P.'s factories are a death trap! I am, as you already know, Kreovliam, organizer and advocate for the Crock union at moment, though I've some interesting literature 'miss' about an initiative, especially if you can sign this petition . . . 'miss'."



"My companions are a constable, one Procz the kobold, and a . . . knight of Tyr, if you can imagine such a thing, Frack. Both have proven to be allies of the worker, so they have an ally in me."

Reaching out his hand, maintaining the blob, he darkened it to turn murky as the illusion overlaid

"A wonderful addition, let me try to finish the piece! I do wonder if these 'workers' might be heartened by the Steel Resolve, not discouraged, but we shall see . . . "

OOC: another use of shape water to add the maximum second effect, murkying the water

"You want me to turn that thing back on?" Baern pointed at himself to make sure the kobold constable had indeed been addressing him, and also to confirm that he'd heard what he thought he'd heard. He looked to Vera for confirmation.

[Do you want me to listen to this pipsqueak?]

That was enough for Vecaal.  A good thief didn't spend time admiring what they were stealing.  Get in, get out, and admire later.  He stuffed the spell book and the misty orb into his pack, covering them up with a sack for some padding.  Then he looked around the rest of the office for anything else unusual - maybe some log notes or something that might explain the machines running without obvious operators?

The desktop and the filing cabinets seemed like good places to look for that sort of thing.

OOC:
Total 16 for Investigation.  Psychic die only spent if total results in success.
19:34, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 5 using 1d6.  Psychic Die.
19:34, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  Investigation.

Glancing toward the pair of miniature do-gooders, 'Roxie' said, "Think I've heard of this Kreo fella, and seems you're in dashin' company.  Fine to meet you gents."  The offer to sign a petition got an incredulous chuckle out of her, and she remarked, Gotta say, this is a funny time to give the union pitch, pal."  As the tiefling and the satyr worked on their spur-of-the-moment water art collaboration, she leaned closer to whisper to him in her normal voice, musical rather than gravelly, "We're on a job, but never signed on to scrap with a machine uprising!  Once we have what we've a mind to be clearing out.  You three aren't here to sight-see, so what's the goal?"


The tiefling laborer called out to the kobold constable, "You wanna take us with ya on that crazy crane, Constable?  Will ya deputize us?"  'Roxie' acted like this was the most exciting possibility ever!  Besides, being deputized by a lawman could look good if they ran into further trouble on the way out.

Psychically, Veracity whispered to Baern, [Suuure, why not?  Vec is done climbing already.  Let's see what happens!]

Kreo leaned close in turn, the lavender and charcoal he bathed with fighting to keep the heat from stenching his clothes.

"The liberation of the masses, Vera. Workers of the Cog unite."

Procz looked over the controls again, preparing for the eventuality that the cranes became operational again. He wanted to set them in a continuing looping pattern going from their current level and up to the overhead structure.

"I'm afraid deputization is entirely out of the question without proper verification of identities and a thorough review of criminal records." He was already beginning to suspect they were not authorized to be here.

"With that said, I'm inclined to be thankful for your presence." He gave a nod and another cough, turning to the paladin. "What do you think Mr. Frack? Want to go up there?"

The spell book was easy enough to steal, but the orb did not budge when Vecaal attempted to lift it. It appeared to be fastened to the metal desk, though whether by magical or mechanical means the dragonborn could not say. He could certainly attempt to pry it off, though this risked shattering it.

Rifling through the file cabinets provided further disappointment, though perhaps this was information that would prove useful in its own right: someone had pilfered the files already. They had been shoved haphazardly back into the cabinets, and while there were plenty of schematics detailing the workings of individual machines, of ventilation, and of steam through the factory's many pipes, Vecaal could find no blueprints of the factory as a whole.

The other notable absence was anything to do with the workers. J.P. Cognelius, like his brother, typically paid his workers in credit that could be used only at his company stores. Unlike his brother, he also deducted from their wages the cost of their training, tools, and uniforms. There ought to have been ledgers detailing all this - both Cogenlius brothers were notorious record-keepers - but they were all missing.

What he did notice, as he turned his attention back to the desk and the orb upon it, was a small symbol etched into its underside. The desk was grey metal, but someone, with some sharp instrument, had etched into the bottom the faint outline of a cog in a circle. Crude as it was, Vecaal nonetheless recognized it as the same symbol born by the necklace Veracity now wore, the one given to her by the half-orc they'd found hiding in the machine room.

[If you say so....]

Baern hunched down beside the first gear train and prepared to start it up again.

"You ready?" he shouted back to the kobold. "First crane is coming back online!"

Frack scrunched his face and adjusted his helmet in deep thought. While temporarily distracted by a strange alcohol elemental, the approaching gnomes didn't look friendly, nor did they look like Ilya Gyula (whoever he was)."Well, since nobody here looks like a half-orc, I suppose we'd best look somewhere else." He shrugged and pointed to the office above. "Maybe he's up there."

Upon discovering the symbol of the machine god cult scratched into the desk near the misty globe, Vecaal's temper finally broke.  He slammed one of the filing cabinet drawers so hard it bounced back out, one of the few remaining slips of paper fluttering out meekly.  "Useless!" he hissed sibilantly to the empty room, before turning back to the desk.  The globe and the book were the only valuable things here, so they were both coming with him.

Slipping the clawed fingers of both hands around the globe he carefully sought a good purchase and then began to tug, leveraging his sinuous form against the desk.  [Let go, you blasted piece of junk!] came an unintentional mental complaint to Veracity and Baern, when the dragonborn began to lose a little control over his emotions.

Kreo's cologne had a nice fragrance, but his slogan was somewhat vaguer than she hoped for.  How was it the constable, paladin, and labor-liberator were acting more shady than their trio of literal professional criminals?  Nonetheless, she raised a fist and said, "Power to the little cogs that keep it all runnin'."


'Roxie' was somewhat disappointed that deputization seemed out of the question, and judged this little kobold constable to be a by-the-book sort... despite the whole trespassing thing.  The goblin then said something interesting, and she asked, "You fellas looking for a half-orc in this place?  What for, if you don't mind my askin'?"


Veracity gave a concerned glance up at the office upon hearing Vecaal's psychic outburst, and quickly replied in kind, [Trouble?  This new pal of ours is getting the crane to play nice in case you need us up there in a hurry.]

In reply to Veracity (msg # 35):

"Oh, that one's good too Vera. I would say I'm stealing that, but I try not to steal from thieves. Borrow indefinitely then?"

Kreo nodded as Vera addressed Frack

"Apparently they're looking for one Ilga Gyula . . . who is a half-orc and who was not outside. They assume."

"Precisely." said Procz. "I'm not at liberty to discuss details, but I aspire greatly to find Ms. Ilga Gyula. This individual is not wanted in any sort of criminal capacity, however, but rather potentially in possession of prized and valuable information."

Procz coughed again, pausing the conversation for several moments. "Apologies."

"May I inquire about your own undertakings?" asked Procz. "Preferably phrased in a manner that won't necessitate us being compelled to investigate unlawful transgressions against private property."

The kobold constable kept an eye on the instruments, should the crane come alive, but he was beginning to suspect going up there was the wrong way. "There is a deep rooted mystery here." He contemplated his own wording. "I think we might have to venture deeper to solve it."

Baern cranked his wrench, restoring to motion a chain of gears that ultimately caused one of the cranes to shudder to life. It immediately began raising its cargo hook to the height of the glass-fronted overseer's office Vecaal was plundering at that very moment.

This briefly caught the attention of the workers deeper in the factory, but a fresh bout of shenanigans from Kreo and Veracity recaptured it, and they returned to fighting their illusory, watery foe.

Up in the office, Vecaal attempted to rip the mysterious orb from the desk to which it was attached. The orb's delicate exterior gave before its base did, shattering in the dragonborn's hands. The mist that had swirled inside dissipated immediately, leaving nothing but some worthless glass shards in its wake.

Procz: DC 14 Intelligence check to try to override and take control of the crane. If you have any kind of vehicle proficiency, you can add your proficiency modifier.

Procz had allowed himself to be distracted by conversation and his own thoughts and suddenly realized the crane was moving. He pressed a button and pushed a lever and realized that he had used the wrong ones! This sequence would be catastrophic!

He quickly raised his cane and the little gears inside the head of it stopped. They spun backwards for a split second, and it was like the mistake Procz had made never happened. He corrected and adjusted, and engaged the right mechanisms instead.

Rolled a nat 1. Used Chronal Shift and rerolled for a 23.

After a heart-stopping moment of panic, Procz had the crane fully under his control. Its contents were now his to raise, lower, move back and forth across the length and breadth of the factory floor, or swing like a wrecking ball as he saw fit.

Procz:

He quickly raised his cane and the little gears inside the head of it stopped. They spun backwards for a split second, and it was like the mistake Procz had made never happened.

Inspiration for this! What a brilliant, thematic way to illustrate a Chronal Shift.

"Made it up on the spot, so you're welcome to parrot it as ya like.  How about next ya unite the cogs in yer head and quit blowing my cover!"  She mouthed the latter and flicked lavender-colored eyes in the general direction of the constable and and paladin.  "You must be mistakin' Roxie for a yearned-for ex, pal!"


'Roxie' replied in an appropriately gravelly voice for a super-legit technician, "Is she gonna wanna give up this prized and valuable info, Constable, or do ya mean to put the screws to her?  Might be I've a friend meets the description, but... friends don't give friends up for constabulary brutality."


Veracity observed the constable wresting back control of the crane, which was a fine trick.  He was a resourceful little fellow, for sure.  When asked what they were here for, 'Roxie' replied with the easy confidence of an experienced maintenance worker, "Maintenance contractors lookin' into equipment troubles.  More than we bargained for, as it turns out.  On the upside, hazard pay's in the contract!"

---

Deception roll for the story about why we're here.  Y'all can decide how much your characters believe the words, but with 23+ Insight you'll know for sure it's a fib ;P

• 17:05, Today: Veracity rolled 23 using 1d20+7.  Deception.

Procz shook his head. "While enhanced interrogation is within the parameters of the law, this half-orcish individual is not under suspicion of criminal activity. In fact, the matter is, for now, more of a personal interest rather than part of any official investigation."

He paused and looked at the cranes, moving them a little to practice, making sure he actually did control them and could continue to do so when they needed it. "With that said, it seems the workers here are unusually unforthcoming with information. I have means of bypassing that, however. Painlessly."

That's insight 22, so I'll continue to be at least half-skeptical of Veracity's statements.

Frack watched in amazement as his little friend seized control of the runaway crane. Like always, the kobold constable had saved the day.

The goblin's tattered ears then perked up when he heard the gravelly voiced technician start talking about Ilya Gyula. Wait a second... Ilga? And he's a she? This case is full of surprises!

While Frack usually left negotiations to Procz, he couldn't help but chime in. "Constable Procz would never put the screws to someone." He wasn't entirely sure what putting the screws to someone even meant, but he was certain it was something Procz wouldn't do. "He's a noble member of the constabulary... And he doesn't even have any screws."

Baern hustled over to the next gear assembly, the one he'd disabled initially, and waited for the kobold's attention.

"You want me to start this one up again as well, guv?" he hollered above the commotion.

[Bah!  Who makes devices this fragile?]

Vecaal's frustrated voice came through to Baern and Veracity again, perhaps a minute after his last outburst.  There was a sense of wordless grumbling that carried on a bit longer and then an audible sigh.

[I think I'm done up here.  Found a journal that looks important, and found a distinct lack of records.  Looks like the machine worshipers broke in here before me, though can't tell exactly what they took.  Maybe our friend in the lower level can hint at it, if not say anything outright.]

[Am I good to come down?]

Procz shook his head and held up one small hand. Wait.

He looked up to see the dragonborn that had previously climbed up. He didn't look happy. Whatever these people were looking for, they hadn't found it up there. "Take me to your friend. Please." said Procz to Roxie.

He raised the active crane in case the dragonborn wanted an easier route down.

"Trust me Roxie, Vera and I are just friends. She's nice, in a cute girlish way. But I you must forgive a 'silly old goat'-" here Kreo pointed to his square eyes "-one cute tiefling much looks like another."

Kreo's dismissive wave told "Roxie" all he thought of the paladin and constable's ability to overpower three criminals and then Kreovliam. He was jovial, but Vera knew he'd never fight fair unless the chance to go on about solidarity was at hand.

"If you two lovebirds are about done, we should decide what we're doing and get out of here," Baern said, fixing 'Roxie' and the strange Satyr with an impatient stare.

[You know this one, Vera? He don't shut up much.]

'Roxie' gave the kobold constable a speculative look, then nodded.  "Right, then.  Treat my gal-pal with due respect and all will be well.  If she's not to be charged with a crime then she's not obliged to answer any questions she doesn't wanna."  This Procz fellow and his goblin companion were earnest and upstanding to an adorable degree, and she reckoned it would likely be safe enough to make an introduction with 'Gail'.


If looks could kill then the old goat would surely be struck dead on the spot by the glower Vera turned him, although a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.  Cute and girlish?!  She was cute, of course, and could play girlish to devastating manipulative effect, but those were far from top of her list of qualities.  Half a dozen devastating retorts to the backhanded compliment came to mind, but alas, she was bound by the rugged constraints of her present persona.  'Roxie' laid the back of a grubby hand against her forehead and rasped, "Oh, you've got me swoonin' on the job!  That poor Vera lass shall be proper jealous."  She broke into wheezy cackle, finger-flicked Kreo on a horn-tip, then shuffled over to join Baern.

Veracity answered Baern across the mind-whispers, [Yeah, I palled up with him a few months back at a union meeting Baz wanted eyes on.  He's connected in union circles, so a good guy to know.  He fancies me, of course, but doesn't everybody?]  Her psychic snickering was cut short by Vecaal's displeased report.  [Probably the bosses cleared out the books on the way out, but at least you got something.  Come on back down, I think we're done here.  Don't worry about the little lawman, he's not after us.]

Turning back to Constable Procz as they waited for Vec to descend, 'Roxie' said, "So, my gal-pal may be a tad jumpy.  The warehouse guard here have a watchword, 'happy rockslide'.  If she says it, just give her a nod and she'll be reassured and more liable to answer questions.  Got it?"

Once everybody had convened and was ready to go, the legitimate tiefling laborer was ready to lead the way back down below to her newest half-orcess friend.  She assured she'd be the first to be seen, to properly sell this situation.

---

Reminder that I left Gail under the effects of Charm Person!  Hopefully it's been less than an hour since we left her :)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:08, Wed 24 May 2023.

The kobold constable left the controls of the crane in an inactive position, attempting to set it so that it wouldn't attack them on its own accord (after helping the dragonborn down if he wanted assistance). Once that was accomplished, he limped a few steps over to his trusty companion Zúm and rode the mechanical dog, following Roxie.

["What do you think about these people, Mr Frack?"] said Procz, in a magical whisper that only Frack could hear. ["Some people aren't bad, even if not entirely law-abiding."] He himself didn't think they were in any immediate danger from this crew, even if they were clearly quite capable.

Casting Message.

The position of law and morality as a constable in a corrupt agency under a somewhat dictatorial regime, was a really difficult philosophical question he had thought a lot about. Would it be right to rebel against authority? To steal from the oppressor? To murder a thug?

His preliminary conclusion was two-sided. If the goal was a society with law-abiding citizens under some form of benevolent rule, change could come slow or quickly. In recent history, change had come quickly after a long time of dragon tyranny, but the living conditions for many people had not improved. Maybe slow change would be better. When a few people were doing the right thing, others would follow.

A coughing fit broke his train of thoughts. The conditions inside this factory were not good for his lungs.

Vecaal exited the office and paused on the catwalk, staring down at the group assembled on the shop floor.  He flinched slightly as one of the cranes started raising its load toward him, but quickly realized the speed with which the machine moved was nothing compared to the aggressive attacks made earlier.  He spotted what appeared to be a kobold manning the crane controls, and relaxed at the normality of the sight.  Machines operated by people, as it should be.

He grabbed the cable with one clawed hand and stepped onto the suspended load once it had drawn level with the catwalk, then signaled for the kobold to lower him to the floor.  He rode it down majestically like a captain surveying the course of his ship on the crater's lake, his cloak ruffling slightly in the breeze caused by the crane's motion.  As he neared the floor Vecaal leapt nimbly to the ground and nodded his thanks to the kobold.

He formed up with Roxie and Baern.  "Maintenance all done?" he asked with a tilt of his head, then fell in line as they made their way back toward the half-orc's hiding place.

As Vecaal descended from the catwalks and the others gathered near the stairs, the doors to the factory creaked open, emitting a most welcome draught of cool air along with a flood of natural light. Any worry that the Steel Resolve might be raiding the place quickly evaporated when a hard but friendly voice, which some recognized as belonging to Donna the dwarven forewoman, called out to them.

"Good work, you lot. Whatever you did. We've got our tongues back, and none too soon. You've got company down in the engine room." Her voice did sound strained even as she shouted over the din of the machinery, a skill that had to be practiced. Several of the other workers flanked her in the doorway, silhouetted by the rising sun.

Their arrival caught the attention of the bellicose workers in the back, who finally abandoned their water blob foe. They took just a few steps forward before stopping again.

"Yeah, you best stay back there, ye soulless bastards," Donna shouted at them, brandishing a hammer.

Veracity:

---

<Orange>Reminder that I left Gail under the effects of Charm Person!  Hopefully it's been less than an hour since we left her :)

Thanks! It has.

This message was last edited by the GM at 12:22, Thu 25 May 2023.

Frack frowned while adjusting his helmet, trying to determine where the voice in his head originated. With no better ideas, he answered, inadvertently mumbling the words aloud at the same time he thought them and as a result spoiling the privacy of his conversation with Procz. They look legit to me, although I don't know why they're not outside with the other protesters. I suppose it's because they have such important work to do here that they can't leave. And if they know where our half orc is, I say we follow fhem.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:35, Thu 25 May 2023.

'Roxie' nodded to Vecaal's question, "This maintenance issue may be a ways past the scope our contract.  Gonna bring the good Constable to meet our pal downstairs."  She noticed the gallant goblin muttering seemingly to himself, though she couldn't hear what he said.  Curious...

Before the group had a chance to begin their descent, the warehouse's huge front doors creaked open!  Vera was worried they'd be met with a line of Steel Resolve, but it turned out to be the striking workers returning with clearer heads.  Thankfully, the forewoman did not seem inclined to be suspicious of trespassers and was even thankful for something!  'Roxie' called back in the rough laborer's voice with a chummy smile, "Not a problem, ma'am, though it's a damn strange situation in here.  I'm hopin' you're back 'cuz the picket won out?"  She gestured toward the stairs and asked, "Down there?  What company do ya mean?"

Veracity hadn't expected the forewoman's open hostility toward the strangely-distractible workers they'd found in the warehouse.  What did she mean calling them 'soulless'?  She was inclined to carry on down the stairs and leave the workers to sort things out amongst themselves, but she was curious about what company was to be expected.

---

Insight on the 'soulless' workers to try to get a sense what's off about them:

• 15:04, Today: Veracity rolled 1 using 1d20.  Insight.

They look perfectly innocuous :)

At the mention of company, Baern swung Bessie up over his shoulders and headed for the stairs.

"I'll take a look," he offered, starting down into the engine room below.

Kreo followed Baern, though it was more to get in with Donna's crew.

"Looks like it's the fire pits all over again. Another rash of violence, unavoidable really."

He looked at the small violent gnome

"If things get too rough for you, remember your brothers and sisters among the workers. Though I'm hoping you survive especially."

He gave a small wink at that.

OOC: drawing my pistol. Looks like we're getting some barney

Vecaal was thinking along the same lines as Veracity.  If those out in front of the factory were under control just like the half-orc they'd met, then how were the other workers who had stayed inside any different?  'Souless' had a rather ominous ring to it.

Rather than immediately follow the rest, the big dragonborn moved closer to the 'souless' ones, trying to get a good look at them.

OOC:
Figure out what these 'souless' workers are like.
16:29, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  Investigation.
16:29, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  Insight.
16:29, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 1 using 1d6.  Psychic Die.

Use the Psychic Die (such as it is) if it will make a difference.

Like any resident of Coglinton, Vecaal was well familiar with automatons. They were useful assistants to humanoids in many capacities. They cleaned the city's streets, they patrolled alongside constables, and they worked in factories, but only on simple, monotonous tasks requiring little skill. They did not choose tasks of their own or do battle with watery blobs, and they most certainly did not hold grudges against interlopers.

Yet these workers were unmistakably machines, made of roughly identical metal parts which, now that Vecaal looked around, he saw all around the factory in various stages of completion. Like the factory itself, these automatons seemed to possess a level of sentience, with wishes and goals and opinions all their own. And their opinion now was that they didn't like him getting so close.

"Stay back, you!" Donna warned them again, and they stopped at the sound of her voice. They seemed frightened of her, though she also seemed reluctant to walk too far into the factory. Presumably she and the other workers had been subject to the same hazards the party had when they tried to traverse the factory floor.

"They've had us making those monstrosities. Making the freaks that would ultimately take our jobs." She spat. "That's what they didn't want us talking about."

"Careful down there," the dwarf cautioned Baern. "What I came in to warn you about... This is going to sound crazy... A dragon just flew down to the maintenance bay." The workers behind her nodded, backing up the extraordinary claim. "Not a big dragon... as dragons go. But a dragon nonetheless, sure as my name's Donna DungoodGarnagle. Which it is, though I guess you didn't know that. Anyway, it was a dragon, and it had two people on its back. Sorry, I didn't get a good look at 'em. Was a little distracted by, y'know, the dragon. It flew down there and then a moment later we seen a great plume of fire go up. The Resolve are all freakin' out outside." She laughed a little at this, though she seemed to be freaking out a fair bit herself.

You can save the psychic die, Vecaal. This was all plain enough to see once you got close enough.

Edit: Thanks to Kreo for reminding me I'd already given Donna a last name. Perhaps Dungood is her nickname ;-)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:46, Sat 27 May 2023.

Procz slowly rode up on his own automaton Zúm. Of course, this particular one was special, in it not being soulless. The dog-shaped construction had a living arcane spirit inside, with a real personality. Yes, he was a very good boy. Procz gave him a pat.

"A dragon?" The kobold cleared his throat. "May I inquire about its hue and shade?"

"Kind of you to say," Baern said without looking back.

He paused though, when the dwarf called out in warning, one hand already on the wrought iron railing heading down. " 'preciate the warning, Miss," he said. "I was wondering what we were going to do about that Iron Maiden parked outside the engine room. With a little luck they'll soften each other up."

Baern started down the stairs again.

"Donno nothin' about no fire pits, mate, but if you're dead set on coming lets go."

"Oh most definitely, wouldn't miss it!"

The water blob remained as Kreo started to leave, and he turned to motion at it, the dark water (though not Roxie's illusion) falling down to splash on the ground.

"As for dead set, I'm hoping to be live set myself, and hopefully all of you as well. But that's just me."

So, the Owl's End manufactory is building thinking constructs that have gone hostile and are busily building more of themselves.  This state of affairs seemed just a bit concerning, by Veracity's estimation.  This forewoman Donna seemed to have command of the product, however, which was good.  Vera liked her already, and took note of her look and that powerful voice... for future reference.  "Knew those fellas weren't quite right.  Of course they're robuts!"

Then came the somehow even more concerning news that an actual dragon had arrived on the scene!  She side-eyed Vecaal, who she suspected might welcome this news more than the rest of them.  'Roxie' exclaimed, "Pardon my sayin' so, ma'am, but you gotta be shittin' me!  This is a whole new level of hazardous workplace.  We'd best go rescue a pal downstairs, if you can manage up here?"

Vera waited a moment longer at the time of the stairs both to hear any answer to the Constable's question about the dragon, and to see if the standoff might escalate!  She'd follow after Baern before he got too far ahead, however.

Vecaal had expected some sort of automaton and nodded to himself when their nature first became apparent.  But when the foreperson pointed out they were making more of themselves and sibilant hiss escaped his toothy jaws and the dragonborn looked suddenly wary.  Machines were not supposed to do things without direction from living folks.  What manner of deviltry was this, where clankers could take over a person's job?

He was about to comment on it when the revelation of a dragon being on the premises came to light.  Suddenly all thoughts of mechanical walkers taking over the caldera slipped to the back of his mind.  Instead an avaricious look crawled across Vecaal's face, his golden eyes fairly gleaming with anticipation.

"A dragon?  Truly?" he asked, though he was already moving with haste to join Baern.  He had to see it for himself.  "This is something I must see!"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:38, Sun 28 May 2023.

Frack's head swam with all the news. Robuts? Dragons? This was more than his goblin brain could handle, but fortunately he had a tried and true process to follow when things like this happened: Do whatever Constable Procz was doing. With that rule in mind, the Shield scrambled swiftly after his friend.

"They flew in with the sun behind them," Donna explained, a bit apologetically. "Only saw 'em in silhouette. It was shiny, though, I can tell you that. Big part o' why I couldn't see better was the sun glintin' off the thing. Not its wings, though, those were darker. Still couldn't make out a color, sorry to say.

Just to state the obvious: any dragon's bad news, no? Tormentors and tyrants that are supposed to be dead and buried? Can't say I was terribly concerned about its hue. More focused on not wetting my britches."

"An Iron Maiden? For a couple o' striking workers? Well, if my britches weren't in enough danger as it were... Anyway, suffice to say anything that was standing 'round the vicinity of that fire breath is plenty softened up."

"Yeah, we've shown those bot-brained bastards what for a time or two already. They won't give us any trouble, and we'll make sure they don't follow you down. You've taken care of the hard part already." She looked warily at the cranes, which now hung immobile high above the factory floor.

"Thank you, miss Garnagle." Procz glanced at the others to measure their reaction to the mention of a dragon. His own little heart had started pounding at 175 percent speed at that revelation; it was a nice combination of academic interest, genetic attachment and healthy fear.

He took a breath and continued, staying fairly near Roxie, who had agreed to take him to Ilya Gyula.

Going downwards quietly, but not trying to hide. Stealth 17.

"The Iron Maiden's here to protect JP's pocketbook, more than anythin'.  If a dragon's flown in then a ladybot's the least of our worries, though."  What's more concerning is how excited Vecaal seemed to be to go meet the scaly bastard!  'Roxie' gave Donna the forewoman a jaunty wave paired with a comradely nod, then ventured down the stairs none too loudly.

On the way down, Veracity psychically whispered to her companions, [This job has gone all the way off the tracks, friends.  I'd rather not tussle with a dragon, but there may be opportunity in finding out what it's up to, discreetly to start with.  You planning to volunteer to be its dinner or what, Vec?]

---

21:38, Today: Veracity rolled 20 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 15,4.  Stealth (advantage).

21:38, Today: Veracity rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.

"Oh a dragon and a large bot! It's truly amazing to be alive and here right now. I shall try to think of a good song to sing when we're all through this!"

Kreo's hooves clopped along for a few more moments before he crouched low once away from Donna and slipped into the gloom, face solemn, pistol drawn and eyes watching for danger

OOC: Stealth 20, initiative 12

Talk of dragons made Frack's head start to spin. The goblin thought they were extricnt (or whatever they called it). After another hazy moment, he concluded at least some of his scattered thoughts may be the result of his wounds. So he hugged himself, opening his tiny goblin heart to Tyr. And while he didn't prefer using his healing powers on his own behalf, he also knew those powers wouldn't do anyone any good if he was dead.

After a deep breath, the goblin adjusted his helm and rushed to catch up with the others.

OOC: Lay on hands, +4 hp to self.
Already trailing the others, Frack will forego stealth.
23:44, Today: Frack rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

Thought the heat of the engine room remained intense, thanks to the underground steam vents from which it draws its power, a refreshing breeze now blew through the room. The source of the breeze was an enormous hole in the far wall, where the bay doors once stood. The heavy steel doors and the walls around them had been melted away, leaving the gaping hole and the acrid, lingering stink of kerosene in the air.

The doors were some 200' from the stairs, but a great beast - the dragon, presumably - could be seen stalking outside, its metallic scales gleaming in the evening sun.

Shouts came from within the engine room, as a great, blue-skinned firbolg attempted to drag a half-orc (recognizable to some as Gail) toward the melted aperture. A yuan-ti stood sentry by what remained of the door, and, at the sight of those charging down the stairs, extended its finger. A bot of flame leapt forth, striking not at Baern but at a pipe running over his head. The pipe exploded in a hiss of scalding steam.

"Hurry up, Crajeon!" the yuan-ti shouted at its companion. "We've got company."

"Good things take time," the firbolg answered in a decidedly unhurried voice as outside, the dragon growled.

Baern: You take 10 fire damage. A DC 15 Dex save will negate that (and you'll have advantage from Danger Sense).

Those who snuck down the stairs have still not been seen. You do not need to roll fresh stealth checks every round. You can continue to move (at half speed), and you will not be seen until you make yourself known (attacking, casting a spell, shouting, etc).

The firbolg is currently 60' from the door and dragging Gail toward it, with the dragon waiting outside for them. The two of them are 140' from those who dashed down the stairs and 170' from those who are still stealthed and on the stairs.

The yuan-ti and the dragon are by the door (the former inside, the latter outside), so 200' from those who ran and 230' from the stealthy crew.

The engine room does not appear to be "alive" in the manner of the factory floor, but it is hazardous nonetheless, with pistons and pipes and gears running every which way. You can either treat it as difficult terrain and move at half speed or make a DC 12 Athletics/Acrobatics check to move at full speed. Failure results in 1d6 bludgeoning damage and falling prone. You still get your full movement, but you'll have to spend half of it to stand up from prone.

If you Dash, you'll have to make the above decision again and roll a fresh Athletics/Acrobatics check if necessary.

"Fucking hell," Baern cursed as the pipe burst above his head, briefly immersing him in super-heated steam. Where the jet reached his unprotected flesh, his skin blistered instantly. Throwing up his arm in a belated attempt to shield his face, Baern pressed ahead along the narrow gangway determined to give his curt retort in person. Fortunately, or otherwise, the engine room was full of bulky machinery behind which to conceal himself as he worked his way forward. By extension though, the path was also littered with all manner of snags and snares that threatened to trip him at any moment. Baern was no amateur when it came to navigating treacherous footing however and he scarcely slowed his step as he closed the distance between himself and the struggling firbolg.

Dex save failed (11). Baern takes 10 fire damage.
Move: 35', athletics 13.
Dash: 35', athletics 25 (natural 20).

Total move 70'. Ideally ending movement out of direct sight of the yuan-ti.

EDIT: Stealth 14, advantage from Svirfneblin Camouflage

10:32, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 14 using 2d20+4, dropping the lowest dice only.  Stealth (Advantage).

12:35, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Athletics (DASH).

12:35, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Athletics.

12:34, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 11 using 2d20+2, dropping the lowest dice only.  Dex save (DC 15).
This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Tue 06 June 2023.

Procz and Frack and the others (whom he was certain were probably fleeting companions) were met with pandemonium as they descended. They would have to play this smart.

Then he saw the dragon.

Procz was filled with emotions and sensations he had never felt before. His head was spinning. His chest was filled with both reverence and fear - although he was sure his little heart had stopped for several beats.

"Like shadow and wind, Zúm." said the kobold to his trusty steed. A firbolg and a yuan-ti were taking a half-orc (which had to be Ilya Gyula), seemingly determined to force her with them on the dragon! He suspected they wouldn't comply with a lawful command from a constable, but he had to stop them somehow. To do that, he had to get closer.

Zúm takes a dash action, while moving at half speed (80 reduced to 40) in order not to stumble.
Procz guides Zúm expertly to stay behind full cover with a Survival check of 25.

Veracity peered down the length of the engine room, past the whirring machinery to the giant hole melted through the bay doors, and the shiny dragon just beyond them.  Closer were a a pair of figures dragging away their half-orc acquaintance in a none too friendly manner.  Then, there was Baern barreling through scalding steam straight at them.  The gnome was not one to be deterred by dangerous environments nor certainty of imminent death, she had to give him that!  He was a good fellow to have on the crew, though at this rate he may not be on it for long.

Although the cover seemed somewhat moot at this point, Vera nonetheless kept up her role as 'Roxie' as she called out to both the Sparks and the new companions, "Well, there's our gal-pal, but seems she's in a pickle.  Can't say I expected a dragon to come kidnap her."  It did make one wonder: Why would a dragon be so interested in a single Gearlord-devotee to melt a hole in a warehouse to get her?  If she had indeed been the one to awaken the machines up above, that would likely be reason enough.  The power to bring machines to life would change everything, and the secret to it would be valuable.

With fresh motivation to rescue the half-orcess, Veracity picked up her pace to jog after Baern, but ducked behind the machinery to keep out of sight of the kidnappers.

---

• Move 30 feet, Acrobatics 17
• Dash 30 feet, Acrobatics 23
• Bonus action Stealth 12

17:15, Today: Veracity rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Stealth.
17:14, Today: Veracity rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  Acrobatics 2.
17:14, Today: Veracity rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Acrobatics 1.

Kreo moved slowly, methodically. Likely to be left behind but wanting to maintain the element of surprise on these new enemies (and unsure what exactly they were doing)

He watched Baern move in with purpose and cocked the hammer on his pistol to be ready to take his shot if trouble (or a dragon) arose

OOC: move and dash is 70ft, so cut in half to maintain stealth and cut in half to avoid making checks against machinery, that's 15ft (rounded down)

Edit: it is 35ft!
This message was last edited by the player at 02:29, Wed 07 June 2023.

He saw it!  He saw the scales gleaming outside the door!  Vecaal could hardly contain himself, until the rest of the scene started to bleed into his awareness.  The half-orc they'd met on the way in was being forcibly removed by a blue half-giant, and without warning a snake man shot a bolt of fire at Baern and Vecaal, scalding the gnomish enforcer and forcing the dragonborn to vault over the railing to avoid a similar fate.

[This is not how meeting a dragon is supposed to be!] he thought indignantly to his fellow crew members.  Did these interlopers not know he was a dragonborn?

Like Baern, Vecaal decided getting over there as fast as he could was the best option.  Then he might talk to the dragon and get some control establish over its wayward companions.  The dragonborn danced across the shadowy floor, slipping sinuously between beams, machinery and stacked maintenance supplies as he closed steadily on the firbolg and its captive.  Moving that fast meant he was not hidden, but reaching the dragon was paramount to stop this mistaken assault.

OOC:
Move 30 feet, Dash 30 feet using Attack action, and Dash 30 feet again using bonus action (Cunning Action ability).  Total travel 90 feet.
No troubles with managing the mechanical jungle terrain.
20:32, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics.
20:32, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics.
20:32, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics.

Frack hadn't the wisdom of Flowermoon, but he recognized that dragging someone against their will toward a melted hole in the back of a factory was not in line with Code of the Crimson Shield... at least not the way Rom had explained it. Nor was shooting firebolts at others.

With eyebrows furrowed, the goblin raced after his charging companions (who he had yet to meet), the weight of his chainmail slowing his advance considerably. "In the name of the Crimson Shield, unhand that half-orc!"

OOC:
Move: 20'
Action: Dash another 20'.
22:43, Today: Frack rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics.
22:43, Today: Frack rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics, part 2.

Flowermoon was an original Shield of Crimson Dale and respected advisor to Shield founder Ennada Bluestar. It was said that he could read the stars and see the Path even in total darkness. Nobody was sure what that meant, exactly, but Flowermoon is regarded by all Paladins of Coglinton as the gold standard for wisdom.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:08, Wed 07 June 2023.

Baern led the charge, vaulting over and ducking under pipes with the aplomb of one who had escaped a cave-in or two in his time. Yet Vecaal, hopping nimbly from machine to machine, swinging from overhead gears when necessary, somehow got ahead of him and so had the best view of the head of the dragon poking through the melted door.

It was metallic, but not in the manner of the good dragons of legend, those creatures of gold, silver, and copper who, according to some, once protected the land's many peoples before being hunted down and slaughtered by their evil cousins. Indeed, this was not a living creature at all but a construct of brass. Judging by the smoke emanating from its nostrils and the hole melted in the factory wall, however, it was as capable as a living dragon of breathing fire.

"Crajoen!" the yuan-ti shouted. "The Crimsssson Ssshield!"

"I heard him," the firbolg answered, moving as quickly as he could manage with the struggling half-orc in tow.

The yuan-ti fired another flaming bolt, this time targeting one of the turbines in the center of the room. It exploded in a blinding blast of steam, engulfing Procz and "Rosie". Then he took aim at the more immediate threats, summoning a sticky web that encased Baern and Vecaal.

Procz and Vera: You take 10 fire damage and are blinded. A DC 12 Dex save will halve that and avoid the blinding. Reminder that Procz has full cover.

Baern and Vecaal: DC 14 Dex save. Failure means you are restrained and can't move. Breaking free will require an action and a DC 14 Strength check.

This got messy because literally every one of you ended up in a different place. This "map" shows the distance between each character. So, the firbolg dragging Gail is 30' from the door. Vecaal is 80' from them, 110' from the door. Baern is another 20' behind him, so 100' from the firbolg and 130' (30 + 80 + 20) from the door, etc.

door, dragon, yuan-ti
30'
Firbolg and Gail
80'
Vecaal
20'
Baern
30'
Procz
10'
Vera
20'
Frack
5'
Kreo
35'
stairs

Baern ducked and tumbled away as the first strands of the ensnaring web exploded into space before him. "Not getting rid of me that easily, you slimy bastard," he growled, coming out of his tumble at a dead sprint. What he lacked in Vecaal's long legs and sinuous gait, the belligerent gnome made up for in sheer doggedness. Racing through the treacherous engine room as readily as he might an open street, Baern wove a path that he hoped would keep him out of sight of the yuan-ti until he was close enough to take a swing at him.

Dex save 21 with danger sense.
Move 35, Atheltics 21
Dash 35, Athletics 13
Bonus: Stealth 20

Total movement 70'

16:30, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  Stealth.
16:29, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Athletics.
16:29, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Athletics.
16:28, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 21 using 2d20+2, dropping the lowest dice only.  Dex save (Danger sense).

The distant yuan-ti hurtled a bolt of fire into the engine room and demonstrated why it was frowned upon to throw flame in rooms full of delicate machinery!  Veracity saw the fire impact and begin to erupt, giving her just enough time to duck behind a structural pillar and avoid the worst of the eruption of scalding steam that followed.

The other two Sparks lads had charged further ahead than Vera could see them through the haze, like a pair of absolute geniuses.  Baern's roaring echoes were still audible, so he was still alive, at least.

Veracity ducked out from behind cover and almost immediately ran into the kobold constable reeling from the steam explosion atop his trusty automaton steed.  There was little point to the cover story, so Vera made a snap decision to break character.  The stiff laborer's gait became a nimble stride and the gravelly voice was replaced with Veracity's smooth and musical tones as she asked, "Still with us, Constable?"  The tiefling assessed how badly the little lawman had been burned, and offered a hand to his feet if he needed it.  She added with a wry smirk, "Had you fooled with the Roxie act, didn't I?  How about let's save the questions and the cuffs for after we escape alive."

With that, Veracity dashed off again... and promptly tripped on a tangle of torn cables to tumble unceremoniously to the floor.  As the tiefling regained her feet and stumbled onward she cursed, "To the shit-pits with this place!"

---

• Dex save succeeds with a natural 20!  10 fire damage halved to 5, then resisted down to 2.
• If Procz was downed by the steam then Healing Word as a bonus action, but otherwise save it :P
• Dash 30 feet, but fail the Acrobatics check with an 8!
  • Fall prone and take 5 bludgeoning
• Use 15 feet of movement to stand up
• Move forward remaining 15 feet

15:42, Today: Veracity rolled 5 using 1d6.  Ouch.
15:41, Today: Veracity rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Acrobatics 1.
14:41, Today: Veracity rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Dex save.

Procz finally caught a good view of the dragon. Just like both joy and fear had come together at the first glimpses, relief and disappointment followed when he learned it was a construct. Then came the explosion. Zickly and frail, Procz was already suffering under these conditions. The blast washed over his little frame with enough heat to nearly burn the flesh off his bones.

Failing to throw himself aside, Procz instinctively raised his cane in defense. Again, the cogs and wheels inside its head ticked backwards for just a split second, and the blast reversed in backwards motion. The kobold used the reprieve to lower himself all the way down to Zúm's level, avoiding most of the heat and blinding light. When he looked up again, he heard a somewhat familiar voice.

Failed Dex save. Used Chronal shift to reroll with success. 2/2 uses spent.

"Veracity. I really shouldn't have been surprised to see you." Procz had suspected something, but not her specifically. "Very well." He dashed forward again, spurring Zúm to advance. "I assume that's your friend Ilya Gyula?"

While Zum dashed forward Procz called out. "You are under arrest! Drop your weapons and release that half-orc!" They moved over and under the installations on the factory floor, but Zúm stumbled in the end and fell over. Procz climbed off, leaning on his cane. "Get up, buddy. I need you."

Zum moves 80 ft. more forward with a dash action, stumbles, takes 2 hp damage, and goes prone.

Procz stood behind a large pipe and glanced out. He followed with a spell, shooting a ray of ice cold energy at the Firbolg. A layer of frost spread over the creature, freezing him.

Procz has partial cover with Survival 14.
Action: Ray of Frost hits AC 25. The firbolg takes 8 cold damage and their speed is reduced by 10.

OOC: Move and dash for 70ft total, acrobatics checks of 11 and 16. Failed one check so 2 damage and only 55ft

Kreo saw the rest of the group pulling ahead of him and decided that he who dared would win, especially as his compatriots began revealing themselves.

Readying a pinch of iron powder in his hand, the satyr made to get into the fray...catching a whirly-gig to the skull and stumbling
This message was last edited by the player at 03:49, Mon 12 June 2023.

Frack did his best to keep up with the others but he stumbled on a spare camshaft lying across his path. The goblin fell to the floor, his oversized helmet tumbling off his head and bouncing several times before coming to a stop.

"Tears of the hammer!" Frack cried as he scrambled to pick up his helmet and continue after the kidnappers.


Move and dash. One passed save and one failed. I think that means 30' total movement.
22:16, Today: Frack rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  acrobatics.
22:17, Today: Frack rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  acrobatics part 2.

The dragon finally came into proper view as Vecaal peered between two large insulated pipes, and a disapproving hiss slipped through the dragonborn's teeth.  He would have been disappointed if he wasn't so angry at being duped.  A construct!  It was nothing more than a cleverly dressed-up automaton.  Dragon indeed!  Vecaal quickly set aside any sense of awe, wonder, or deference.  These charlatans deserved only his scorn.

Which meant he felt no remorse when he turned his attention to stopping the firbolg.  A shimmering appeared in the claws of his right hand, and he was about to take his first step when a mass of sticky webs appeared around him.  Caught by surprise, Vecaal stumbled and found himself ensnared in the adhesive strands.  Snarling at the imposition, he tried to rip his way out of the trap but only ended up wrapping himself up more securely.

"Auuggghh!" he roared, anger fully boiling over as he hung helplessly in the web.  "It's not even a real dragon!"

OOC:
21:12, Yesterday: Vecaal Alifras rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Dex Save (DC 14).
21:23, Yesterday: Vecaal Alifras rolled 5 using 1d20+1.  STR Save (DC 14).

The party surged forward, with Baern leading the way as he charged blithely through the web that restrained Vecaal. Procz passed the dragonborn as well, hitting the firbolg with a blast of ice that slowed his retreat and bought the half-orc's would-be rescuers critical seconds to catch up to him.

"Are you moving more ssslowly?" the yuan-ti snapped at him.

"Moving just as quickly as I can, Syntus," the firbolg answered, apparently unperturbed by his partner's tone.

"I trusssst you can handle the gnome on your own?"

"I can do my very best, Syntus."

Looking unconvinced by this answer, the yuan-ti scowled and pointed, tracing a cube in the air with one scaly finger, repeating the motion ever more slowly. As he did so, time all around Procz and Vecaal seemed to slow down as well. The air seemed to still, and the pistons and gears all around them turned more slowly.

Then he pointed the same finger at a pipe by Veracity's side, which split open and spewed forth another burst of steam.

Just outside, the clockwork dragon watched all this unfold, smoke rising from its nostrils, unblinking eyes shifting subtly to track the movement of the interlopers.

Vecaal: Still webbed. You can use an action to attempt a DC 14 Strength save to escape. If you fail, you may attempt again with your Cunning Action.

Vecaal and Procz: DC 14 Wisdom save or you are affected by the Slow spell.

Veracity: You take 10 fire damage. A DC 15 Dex save will negate that

Anyone attempting to pass Vecaal (I believe that would only be Vera, for this round - Kreo and Frack are 70' from him) must either charge through the web (DC 14 Dex save to avoid being caught in it) or spend an extra 15' of movement to bypass it.

If you fail your Athletics/Acrobatics check for moving at full speed, you lose half your movement (for the action - so only a quarter of your movement, if you moved and dashed and only failed one check) and take 1d6 bludgeoning damage. The movement penalty is to the current round, so anyone who fell last round I adjusted your movement accordingly and you won't be starting this round prone (unless you choose not to get up).

door, dragon, yuan-ti
20'
Firbolg and Gail
40'
Baern
40'
Procz
10'
Vecaal
15'
Vera
35'
Kreo' + Frack
70'
stairs

"Handle this, you sodding todger," Baern growled as he vaulted recklessly over the machinery and landed within arm's reach of the Firbolg and his struggling captive. His hand went to his belt, coming back with something that looked very much like a trowel that someone had spent hours carefully honing the blade of so that it could cut as cleanly as an axe. Baern sent it flying at the Firbolg but it clattered into the assemblage behind him.

Bonus: Rage (finally)
Move: 35', Atheltics 20.
Action: Ranged attack (hits AC 11 which I presume is a miss)

14:03, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Attack.
14:03, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 20 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Athletics (Advantage).

The yuan-ti was really starting to get on Vecaal's nerves.  If it wasn't exploding pipes full of steam all around them, it was webbing up the dragonborn in something just short of a cocoon.  And even his esses sounded weak and simpering!

Determined to put an end to the snake-man's interference, Vecaal launched himself at the webs again, trying to break free from their grasp.  But just as he did so something strange happened all around him.  Everything slowed right down, as though a brake had been applied to the machinery of Time itself!  The dragonborn watched in horrified awe as his legs and arms moved laggardly through the strands with barely enough force to nudge them aside.  It seemed he might even be trapped more securely than before!

His golden-eyed gaze pivoted slowly back to the yuan-ti, hatred burning in their depths.  He shouted an insult, but at such a reduced speed it only came out as a stream of deeply pitched gobbledygook.  "Illtareeeurrrheeedof!"

OOC:
14:17, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  WIS Save (DC 14). Save vs. Slow spell - fail!
14:19, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  STR Save (DC 14). One action/bonus action permitted under Slow.  Break free of Web - fail!
14:29, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  WIS Save (DC 14).  Additional save at end of turn per Slow description.  Save!  Next turn Vecaal will not be slowed.

Could the die roller be relenting?  Only (slow) time will tell!

Procz's mind was no match for the yuan-ti. He was unaffected by the spell and continued at full speed. Remounting Zúm, the kobold constable rode forward until they were only some forty feet from the firbolg and the half-orc.

Procz repeated his previous order. "You are under arrest! Surrender or face the consequences!" He cast the same spell again, but missed this time around.

Wis save against Slow was a success at 20, but burned my Inspiration.
Move: Procz mounts Zúm. Zúm dashes at half speed, moving a total of 40 ft. forward.
Action: Procz casts Ray of Frost, presumably missing at AC 11.

Just as Procz cast his spell, the squirming half-orc stomped hard on the foot of the firbolg dragging her. He didn't release her, but it was enough to distract him.

Procz, she's going to Help you by distracting her captor, so you can roll that attack roll again.

Procz used the distraction well. The frosty ray hit the firbolg again, albeit with a glancing blow. Nonetheless, the cold would hopefully be enough to delay them sufficiently.

That was a hit at AC 23 for 1 cold damage and another round with 10 feet speed reduction.

Veracity could hardly pay attention to what was happening down at the far end of this endless engine room, because there was plenty to deal with where she was!  A pipe exploded and bathed her in an eruption of steam, which elicited a yelp of pain from the tiefling.  Heat didn't harm her as much as it would the rest of this ragtag group, but it still wasn't at all pleasant.

Charging blindly forward out of the hot cloud saw Veracity stumbling headlong into a sticky morass of magical spiderwebs!  "You've got to be kidding me!"  The tiefling struggled to yank herself free and then slog onward, at which point she found Vecaal also struggling.  She grinned to the dragonborn and quipped with encouraging jocularity, "Owl's End must be named after an owl's arsehole, don't you think?  Sooner we move the sooner we're rid of this place.  Come on!"

---

• Dex save fails with a natural 1!  10 fire damage resisted down to 5.
• Move 15 feet with successful Acrobatics of 22
• Encounter Web, Dex save fails with another natural 1...?!  Restrained!
• Action to escape Web succeeds with a Strength check of 15
• Use remaining 15 feet of movement to slog 7.5 feet through difficult terrain
• Grant Vecaal my last d6 Bardic Inspiration!
  quote:

  Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die and add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding to use the Bardic Inspiration die, but must decide before the DM says whether the roll succeeds or fails.

12:59, Today: Veracity rolled 16 using 1d20+1.  Web Strength escape.
12:57, Today: Veracity rolled 7 using 1d20+6.  Web Dex save.
12:54, Today: Veracity rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  Acrobatics 2.
12:53, Today: Veracity rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Acrobatics 1.
12:51, Today: Veracity rolled 7 using 1d20+6.  Dex save.

Legs churning as fast as they would take him, Frack sidestepped a series of hooks and gears on his way toward the kidnappers. Seeing the action unfold before him, he considered the advantage of having a mechanical dog like Procz had. While undoubtedly helpful in this situation, Frack was still hesitant to desire one of his own since the last dog he met (other than Procz's metal companion) bit him. Of course that was a real dog and Frack was trying to trade a more than generous handful of copper for a bone with a tiny sliver of meat still remaining (It really wasn't that much meat! And it was quite a few coppers. Quite a few!), but it still soured the goblin on canines in general. He even thought Zum  had given him a crooked look a few days ago.

Dash toward the action!
22:08, Today: Frack rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  acrobatics part 2.
22:08, Today: Frack rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  acrobatics

Kreo looked at Frack as they ran and smiled

"They won't get away from us! We'll be there in no-"

bang! Another overhead collision and the satyr was down again, scrambling to his feet and shaking his head and running again, this time watching where he was going!

OOC: yep, another failed acrobatics! 6 and 16, for a grand total of 50 feet on a dash

Vecaal finally freed himself with the web as his companions caught up to him, facing the decision whether to risk becoming ensnared themselves.

Baern plowed forward, falling frustratingly short of the firbolg. Fortunately, Procz landed another blast of freezing energy on the kidnapper, preventing him from reaching the clockwork dragon that waited by the door.

Suddenly the firbolg stopped and spun, twisting his body so as to position himself between the dragon and his prisoner. The reason for this became apparent a moment later, when the mechanical beast finally acted, opening its mouth to expel a blast of flame as real as any breathed by the great lizards of old. The firbolg seemed not quite impervious to the flames but certainly less susceptible to them then one would have thought for a creature of flesh, and his body protected Gail's from damage.

Procz and Baern were not so fortunate and were caught in the sweep of the fiery breath. (16 fire damage to each of you, halved to 8 with a DC 14 Dex save.)

Meanwhile, the yuan-ti cast another spell, endeavoring to keep Baern at bay so the firbolg could escape with their prize. (DC 14 Wis save or you're paralyzed. You can attempt again at the end of your turn if you fail.) "That's all the time I can buy you. Get Ilya, and get out," he called to his companion as he himself retreated out the door and prepared to mount the dragon.

Gail and the firbolg are now 10' from the door. They will be on the dragon's back next round if not stopped.
Reminder for Frack and Kreo that you'll have to either attempt to pass through the web or spend 15' of movement to bypass it.

door, dragon, yuan-ti
10'
Firbolg and Gail
15'
Baern
35'
Procz
40'
Vera
10'
Vecaal + Frack
15'
Kreo
105
stairs

Baern had learned his lesson when the pipe burst above his head and kept low beneath the fan of flame as he barreled towards the firbolg. Whatever curse its yuan-ti accomplice had thought to place on him, the belligerent gnome seemed to take no notice. Catching up to the would be kidnappers at last, Baern leapt upon the firbolg with a fury that far exceeded his stature. Like a cattle herder trying to wrangle a loose steer he jumped on and seized hold, before trying to headbutt his adversary for good measure.

"Come on, Crajoen. Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" he taunted, almost gleefully.

Dex save 19 with advantage from danger sense
Wisdom save 19 with advantage from gnomish magic resistance

Move 15'. Baern is now in melee range.
Rage. Reckless.
Action: Grapple attempt. 19
Bonus: ‘Headbutt’. Baern can't actually take an off-hand attack, this is for flavor only. Hits AC 13 for dramatic purposes.

17:22, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 13 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Off hand (no damage).
17:22, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 20 using 1d10+3+2+1d6+1.  Damage.
17:20, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 19 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack.
17:20, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 19 using 2d20+1, dropping the lowest dice only.  Wisdom Save (Magic Resistance).
17:19, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 19 using 2d20+2, dropping the lowest dice only.  Dex save (Danger sense).
This message was last edited by the player at 22:00, Mon 19 June 2023.

Procz should have been immolated by the dragon's fiery breath (even if it wasn't a real dragon). He ducked to avoid the flames, at the same time as the incantation of a spell left his lips. This was the fourth or fifth time today where life and death had been in the balance, and the scales just barely tipping in his favor.

Made Dex save with roll of 20. Remaining 8 damage reduced to 4 from a casting of Absorb Elements (reaction). Procz is down to 2 hp, but still conscious.

Nevertheless, Procz was burned. He was exhausted and his lungs had filled with heat and smoke, and he was coughing up blood. What could he do against these creatures? Was it all futile? Was his dream of becoming a constable madness? He returned some of the energy absorbed by the spell at the firbolg, then moved Zúm and himself forward and behind cover, panting and coughing and fighting the pain.

Attack: Hits firbolg at AC 21 for 1 cold damage and 6 fire damage.
Move: Zúm moves up behind Baern with Procz on his back.
Survival for cover 18.

Frack deftly sidestepped the webbing before him, charging ahead as fast as he could. His goblin heart skipped a beat when he saw the clockwork dragon breathing fire over Procz. He knew his kobold friend needed him, yet here he was, struggling to catch up to the others. He vowed to upgrade his chainmail for something lighter. I can still use this chainmail for ceremonial events. Like... It was at that moment Frack realized the Shield of Crimson Dale was no longer part of the pageantry it once was. The ceremonies once described to him by his paladin mentor, Rom Redshield, were things of the past. At about that same moment, he stubbed his toe on a gearbox and tumbled to the floor.


Action - Dash (40'total) toward the action. Actually 30' since he tripped?
21:27, Today: Frack rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  Dex save to avoid the web.
22:03, Today: Frack rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics 1.
22:03, Today: Frack rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics, part 2.

This message was last edited by the player at 03:09, Mon 19 June 2023.

As he shook off the mind-numbing slowness of the yuan-ti's magic, Vecaal felt energized by an anger as hot as the flames spewing forth from the clockwork dragon's maw.  But when he turned that anger against the webs that still ensnared him, his haste to break free worked against him and only resulted in him being ever more entangled by the sticky strands.  By this point only one of his clawed feet remained in contact with the ground, the rest of his bulk supported in the mass of webs wrapped around his arms, torso and other leg.

From his almost helpless position he stared balefully with one golden eye toward the escaping miscreants, committing each of them to memory as best he could so that he could extract revenge at some point in the future.  Especially on the slithery yuan-ti...

OOC:
Save last round was against Slow, not he Web, so escape roll(s) still required.
08:11, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 2 using 1d20+1.  STR Save (DC 14).  Action - Fail!
08:13, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  STR Save (DC 14). 2nd attempt via Cunning Action - Fail!

No use spending bardic inspiration die.  I am officially declaring Vecaal at war with the die roller!

Veracity stopped to look on in awestruck alarm as the clockwork dragon bathed the far end of the engine room in its fiery breath.  Somehow nobody caught in that flame was incinerated, but it was still rather concerning.  "Well, shit.  Did I say yet that this has gotten out of hand?  Because this is seriously out of hand."  As much the tiefling's scoundrel instincts told her to run, she wasn't about to leave Baern to fight alone, nor Gail to be captured.  She even felt bad at the thought of ditching bold and earnest little Procz, even if he was a lawman.  Also, regardless of the danger, this would make a tale like no other!  She had to see it through.

So Veracity charged forward, juking past spitting steam and shifting machinery until she was finally near enough to bring the Cunning to bear.  With a smirk curling her lips, she crafted a phantom vision to trick the eye and then brought it to life.  Between the firbolg and Gail and the melted hole where the mechanical dragon and the yuan-ti looked in, the machinery all around suddenly erupted in billowing clouds of obscuring black smoke!  On the nearer side of the smoke cloud it seemed that the path had become choked with twisted metal debris that would surely block the firbolg from escaping with Gail.  The debris made no sound as it collapsed, but who would even notice in all the chaos and other noise?  Who wouldn't believe dragonfire could cause such destruction, anyhow?

Chicanery was an art form, to Vera's mind, and she reckoned this was one of her best pieces yet.

---

• Move 30 feet with successful Acrobatics of 13, finally putting me at a range of 60 feet to the firbolg and Gail!
• Cast Silent Image to create a 15-foot cube of illusory billowing smoke and debris between the yuan-ti+dragon and firbolg+Gail.  Concentration for up to 10 mins!  The image looks real but is insubstantial, and a creature that suspects an illusion can spend an action to make a DC 13 Investigation check to see through it.
  (https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/silent-image)
  • This may be pushing my luck, but if possible I'd like the illusion to obscure 100% of the view from the yuan-ti and dragon's side, but allow some visibility from our side.  From outside it looks like an opaque cloud of smoke, while from this side it looks like debris blocking the firbolg's escape with some smoke, but we can still mostly see out.

13:48, Today: Veracity rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Acrobatics.

After picking himself up off the floor and adjusting his helmet, Frack found himself turned around, facing the web he had recently avoided. In its center struggled the mighty dragonborn who only moments ago was bravely climbing up to the level above. And while Frack didn't know him at all, he surmised that any enemy of the kidnappers was a friend of his. So he waved his scimitar and stepped toward the entangled hopeful ally. "You look like a friendly type, although it's hard to tell on account of all the webbing. Let Frack the Faithful help with his trusty blade!"

OOC: too late this turn because Frack already moved, but he is declaring his intent to cut Vecaal loose on his next action. Not only is it a paladiny thing to do, bit presumably Vecaal can move faster than Frack anyway, so totally worth it!.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:00, Tue 20 June 2023.

Kreo hoofed it fast to try and catch up, weaving off to the side to avoid the webs

"Sorry, all I have to cut you loose is fire! Don't need that, do we?"

Weaving his hands together and breaking them apart he tried to form a bolt of radiant energy, but it fizzled

OOC: had an idea for sacred flame but it needs a creature not a space to target. Acrobatics 14 and 20 to move 70ft (minus the 15ft detour, net of 55ft)

Procz's spell succeeded in slowing the firbolg, but the fire seemed not to harm him much.

As Vecaal continued struggling in the web and Frack and Kreo scampered around it to better position themselves, Baern lunged forward in a final bid to keep the firbolg from fleeing with his captive.

"Are you kidding me, Crajeon? The pipsssqueak'sss literally half your ssssize."

"He's a tenacious pipsqueak, Syntus. I'm doing my gods damned best!"

The firbolg's seemingly unflappable demeanor melted away, replaced with a raging anger as the fellow attempted to yank his arm and his captive back from Baern.

As he did so, the ceiling appeared to collapse where the clockwork dragon had melted away the door, causing rocks to cascade down and block the opening.

"Tiamat's tits, I'm trapped in here!" the firbolg cried out in a panic.

"Quit your blassspheming, fool. It's a sssimple illusssion. A parlor trick. Let'ssss go!"

The yuan-ti turned his attention to the meddlesome svirfneblin. "Releasssse him," he commanded, waggling a grotesque severed tongue in his clawed hand as he spoke.

Almost as an afterthought, he exploded another steam pipe near Vera's head.

Baern: DC 14 Wisdom save to resist the Suggestion spell. If you succeed, it will be a DC 23 Athletics to maintain the grapple! (The firbolg is also a barbarian and, now raging, rolls with advantage).

Veracity: You take 10 fire damage. A DC 15 Dex save will negate that.

Despite the yuan-ti's warning, the firbolg failed his Int check, so he's currently convinced by the illusion.

door, dragon, yuan-ti
10'
Firbolg and Gail and Baern
10'
Procz
50'
Vera + Kreo
10'
Frack
30'
Vecaal
120'
stairs

Kreo was making ground on the enemy at last, and stopped ever so briefly to ensure Vera was alright before rushing forward another few yards and drawing his pistol, aiming and firing to try and draw the yuan-ti's ire

OOC: 12 on the acrobatics to get another 35ft closer, so should be within the long range of a pistol, fire at disadvantage for a roll of 7, damage 12. If Vera failed her save and needs some healing, healing word at 2nd for 2d4+2 hp

Syntus the serpentine scullion had seen through that excellent illusion, and Veracity was quite vexed that he would have the nerve!  At least the firbolg, Crajeon, was properly bamboozled, and that would prevent him from running off with Gail.  She made note of their names, speech patterns, and mannerisms... for future reference.

Veracity danced just in time to avoid another blast of steam just as Kreo came galloping past to take a pistol shot.  She strode forward a few paces and grinned, "Came prepared for a peaceful protest, eh?  Wise!"

Turning back toward where Baern was wrestling with the firbolg grappling Gail, Veracity called out, "Afraid your best isn't enough this time, friend.  Release her!"  Vera's command rang out with a supernatural authority that would not be denied.

---

• Dex save succeeds, fire damage negated!
• Move 15 feet closer
• Cast Command: Release on firbolg!  DC 13 Wis save, or he has to release whatever he's holding (Gail) and then end his turn (https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/command)
• Bonus action Stealth check, which I keep forgetting is an option.  Result is a not-so-sneaky 10

10:25, Today: Veracity rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  Stealth.
10:11, Today: Veracity rolled 16 using 1d20+6.  Dex save.

In a betrayal of his intent, and much to his horror, Baern's fingers uncurled of their own accord. He was powerless to do otherwise. Crajeon the Firbolg pulled away, and Baern reached for his trusted pipewrench to convey his blunt rebuke.

Attack hits AC 13 for 14 damage (8 bludgeoning, 6 radiant)

14:23, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 14 using 1d10+3+2+1d6+1.  Damage.

14:23, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 13 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack.

Procz half-stumbled forward. He motioned Zúm to follow, but didn't mount his trusty mechanine. He moved up next to the gnome, a capable individual, and prepared to something with his current predicament. Bleeding and coughing, his options were limited. Another frigid beam of blue-white light streaked towards the firbolg; potentially freezing and slowing him down.

Move 10 feet forward.
Action: Ray of Frost hits AC 13 for 4 cold damage and 10 feet speed reduction.

And just like that the webbing dissolved into thin air and Vecaal dropped to one knee, fist of the opposite hand braced against the floor.  A feral, toothy grin split his draconic face and then he took off at a run.  The yuan-ti was probably out of range, not to mention hidden by some sort of collapsed structure, but the Firbolg and his prisoner were still within range.

[Yessss.  Finally!] came the mental exultation to Baern and Veracity.

Perhaps anger fuelled his movement for the dragonborn moved through the machinery and pipes like the wind, barely slowing to hurdle vales or dodge supporting beams.  As he ran he pulled forth his crossbow and once within range, raised it to his shoulder and let fly at Crajeon.

OOC:
Move 30 ft.  Cunning action to dash an additional 30 ft.  Total move 60 ft.
16:47, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics.  Pass
16:49, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics.  Pass, on the number.

Attack with crossbow.  Hit AC 17 for 14 dmg (including sneak attack).  Note: Bardic inspiration available if AC exceeds 17.
16:51, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Attack.
16:52, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 4,10 using 1d8+3,2d6.  Damage.

Frack gulped when Vecaal exposed a mouthful of sharp pointed teeth. For an uncomfortable second, he thought the dragonborn was charging at him. But by the time he had raised his shield to defend himself, Vecaal had already passed by, darting through the maze of dangerous equipment with ease. Frack followed, hoping to reach Procz before any more enemy attacks did.

Dash 40' toward the action.
22:21, Today: Frack rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  acrobatics.
22:22, Today: Frack rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  acrobatics part 2.

This message was last edited by the player at 04:23, Sat 24 June 2023.

The raging firbolg shrugged off Baern's attack and ducked behind a turbine to evade Kreo's pistol, but with the rest closing in on him and his escape blocked (in his own mind, but blocked nonetheless), he began to panic. At Vera's command, he released his captive, and, heedless of his attackers, ran toward the collapsed exit.

"Syntus, you coward, don't you leave without me!" he roared as he attempted to claw at the debris blocking his way. When his hands passed straight through it, just as the yuan-ti promised they would, he staggered out of the factory toward the waiting dragon. It had not left without him yet, but Syntas was astride it and did not seem inclined to wait much longer.

"Ah, Crajeon. Good of you to join ussss." Syntus's scaly hands interlaced their fingers, weaving another web in the air. As he did so, the clockwork dragon's mouth opened.

"No!" Crajeon shouted. "Not the tinkerer, you blasted beast!"

There was no stopping the process once it had begun, however. Kerosene gurgled in the brass belly, air rushed in through a pneumatic valve, the ignition mechanism sparked, and a fresh gout of flame erupted across the machine room floor, encompassing not just the newly-freed half-orc but several of her rescuers as well. Gail/Ilga collapsed, and a fresh web stretched across the gaping hole in the factory wall.

Baern and Procz: You may both take Opportunity Attacks on the firbolg if you have a bonus action remaining.

Everyone: 16 fire damage to each of you, halved to 8 with a DC 14 Dex save.

Ilga is unconscious and will begin making death saves.

Syntus is already astride the dragon. Crajeon will be able to mount it next round, at which point they seem ready to fly off.

Anyone wishing to pursue them outside will need to make a DC 14 Dex save to avoid becoming entangled in the web.

door, dragon, yuan-ti, firbolg
10'
Gail and Baern and Procz
20'
Frack
5'
Kreo
5'
Vecaal
5'
Vera
175'
stairs

”Oh no you don’t,” Baern growled, clubbing the firbolg with his wrench and turning to give chase. Baern didn’t realize the peril he was in until it was too late. The ‘dragon’ opened its mouth and Baern stared at the curious pilot light in its mouth casting a faint glow on its darkened interior. Moments later the flames washed over him and Baern fell to his knees and toppled over.


opportunity attack hits AC 23 for 20 damage (includes 7 radiant)
Dex save fails. Baern is down.
09:57, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 12 using 2d20+2, dropping the lowest dice only.  Dex save (danger sense).
09:56, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 20 using 1d10+3+2+1d6+1.  Damage.
09:55, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 23 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Opportunity attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:05, Sat 24 June 2023.

Procz managed to duck out of the way of some of the flames, but not well enough. He fell to his knees, and coughed a couple of times more, before collapsing.

Procz was not armed with a melee weapon and could not make an opportunity attack. Zúm made one, but missed.

Made the Dex save for half damage with an exact result of 14. Might be fun to know that if I had failed (on a roll of 1-12) Procz would have been killed outright by massive damage, no death saves).

Made the first death save with a roll of 11.

Kreo was off towards the prize, this half-orc woman the others were so keen to talk to. Ignoring the fleeing dragon et al, he spoke the magic words as the fire crashed around him, touching a hand to Procz while the energy leapt from the kobold to the half-orc, both suddenly jolted to safety before unconsciousness took them again, less endangered than they'd been.

"No one dies today."

OOC: acrobatics 18 to move the 25 feet to Procz and Ilga, cast spare the dying as a touch standard and as a bonus action 30ft ranged, as grave clerics are wont to do

"Oh, you have got to be--" Veracity's words were cut off by the deafening inferno vomited by the mechanical dragon escape vehicle for a pair of absolute bastards.  The flames blasted over everybody, and several of the misadventurers were laid out, smoldering.

Kreo rushed up and attended to the kobold and the tinkerer, as they called her.  Baern had collapsed just inside the great melted hole covered again in webs, not moving.  Veracity strode by and called out to the gnome, "No time to lay about when there's ass to be kicked, you tenacious slab of a man.  Up with you!"  Somehow these dubiously-encouraging words had a remarkable revitalizing effect.

It was clear at this point that there would be no catching the pair of bastard mechanical dragonriders, but at least they'd managed to keep them from kidnapping 'Gail' aka Ilya Gyula.  Something these two could not escape so easily, however, was their wounded pride.  Now Veracity would take the opportunity to make it sting all the more.  She called after them in cuttingly derisive tones, "You two rode in on dragonback with mighty spells at your fingertips, and you still couldn't hack a basic kidnapping?  Incredible!  We're all in awe of your incomparable incompetence.  Try not to fuck up fleeing!"

---

• Received a Healing Word from Kreo's last turn, healing 7 HP
• Drop concentration on Silent Image as soon as Krajeon figures out it's an illusion
• Dex save fails with a 12, get roasted for 16 fire damage resisted down to 8
• Fail Acrobatics check and move up 15 feet
• Cast a 2nd level Healing Word on Baern, healing 11 HP
• Cast Vicious Mockery on Syntus!  DC 13 Wis save or his self esteem takes 3 psychic damage and he has disadvantage on next attack roll.

22:47, Today: Veracity rolled 3 using 1d4.  Vicious Mockery.
21:55, Today: Veracity rolled 11 using 2d4+3.  Healing Word (2nd level).
21:27, Today: Veracity rolled 7 using 2d4+2.  Healing Word from Kreo <3.
18:07, Today: Secret Roll: Veracity rolled 12 using 1d20+6.  Dex save.

Baern’s eyes twitched. Anywhere his flesh had been exposed burned red hot even where the skin had already begun to heal over. He had no hair to speak of to begin with, so that had been no great loss but his clothes were singed and stunk of kerosene. After a few moments he pushed himself up to his knees and peered back over his shoulder. It wasn’t difficult to intuit what had happened.

”Thanks, Vera.”

The little kobold constable lay in a heap beside him, it’s mechanical servant standing faithful guard close by. Climbing to his feet, Baern lifted the fallen kobold up and lay him across the ‘saddle’ before giving Zum a pat on the ‘rump’. ”You stay close, hear? We’ll get your fellow to safety.”
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Sun 25 June 2023.

Frack, having at last made his way to the action, raised his scimitar to impart justice on the kidnappers and their mechanized dragon... the one whose mouth opened unnaturally wide with a screeching of metal before it - Tears of the hammer! Is that thing going to- 

Before he could finish the thought, the goblin was engulfed in a sea of flame. He held his ground behind his trusty shield, then lowered it, advancing one more step before staggering, spinning around in a circle, and finally falling to the ground with a lifeless thud.

15:06, Today: Frack rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  DEX save vs. vomiting clockwork dragon. Puts me at exactly 0 hit points :(
This message was last edited by the player at 20:37, Sun 25 June 2023.

Pleased to have finally played a part in chasing off the firbolg, Vecaal continued racing toward the entrance in the hopes of inflicting more pain on the accursed pair of kidnappers.  But his claws scraped across the floor as soon as he realized what the clockwork dragon was doing and he dove to the side as fast as he could, trying to shield himself from the oversized brass flamethrower using the pipes and motors nearest to him.  Even with that effort he was significantly singed, his cloak steaming and trailing wisps of smoke from small pockets of orange embers across its surface as he resumed his charge toward the pair, now obscured through another wall of webs.

Labouring through the last stretch, he noticed many of his companions had not fared as well, perhaps most importantly Baern.  And there was little he would be able to do against the dragon and both kidnappers if he was the only one outside with them.  As much as it grated on him, it was smarter to let them go.

Coming to a halt far from the door, the Dragonborn stared menacingly through the sticky strands at the yuan-ti astride the dragon and snarled.  . Then he backed away slightly, assuming a defensive position while the others recovered from the onslaught, and kept watch until the dragon and its passengers leapt for the skies.

OOC:
Save vs dragon breath, take 8 dmg.  Currently 4/24 hits left.
20:28, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  DEX Save (DC 14).

Move 30 ft closer to the door.  Hold attack action (crossbow) to fire at yuan-ti or firbolg should they take any aggressive action (as opposed to fleeing).
20:36, Today: Vecaal Alifras rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics.

Veracity launched a cruel jibe at the retreating yuan-ti, but as the wounded firbog scrambled up onto the back of their clockwork dragon, it was Vecaal that Syntus locked eyes with through the smoke and lingering flames. He extended a clawed finger toward the dragonborn as if preparing to cast something, then, seeing the crossbow bolt leveled at his own chest, thought better of it and ducked behind the brass head of his mount.

The dragon took a few running steps, beating its leathery wings as it accelerated, then lifted into the air. Jolting and bouncing, it lacked the grace of a bird, but it did not fall from the sky as it carried the foiled kidnappers away.

Their escape was bittersweet, but at least the woman they'd meant to kidnap, the strange half-orc mechanic who'd introduced herself as Gail, was still with them. She was unconscious on the floor, stabilized thanks to Kreo's timely intervention. All around her were littered the bodies of her saviors, many gasping for breath themselves. The engine room was in ruins, its many unfathomably complex machines melted or broken. Small flames still sputtered where pools of kerosene had formed.

"Hey!" a familiar voice called from the top of the stairs. "Everyone ok down there?"

Donna's bearded face leaned into view, scrunched with concern. "Oh my. I daresay we're out of work. No matter. It was a shitty job anyway. Never would have signed up for it if I knew what they had in store for us. Did you all really just chase off a dragon? Impressive stuff. Y'look a little worse for the wear, if I'm bein' honest, but I can help with that."

The dwarf descended the stairs, covering her face with her shirt as she picked her way carefully through smoldering debris. She stopped at the sight of Gail. "Of course. Should have figured she'd be behind this."

I think Frack is still mortally wounded (not yet stabilized) and Procz and Gail are down but stabilized? We don't need to worry about initiative or distance or movement any more. Now that you're not under attack you can move around as cautiously as needed to avoid tripping or burning.

OOC: will be stabilizing as many as I can as quick as I can with touch and ranged spare the dying

Holstering his weapon, Kreo continued to work the magics that would spare his comrades from death, so that when Donna appeared he gave a wave and a smile

"How many of you are out of work now? We should talk about what comes next, surely."

OOC: Persuasion 18, as Donna likely knows Kreo is interested in growing some help for improving labour in the city.

"If nothing else, I've some funds set aside with some people I know, if you can identify those who're in need?"

Floating on the edge of consciousness, Frack didn't fully recognize the agony caused by his own chainmail as it sizzled into his flesh, which was probably for the better. Still, the goblin was lucid enough to recognize his dire situation, and the likelihood that he was about to pass onto (hopefully) the Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia. He had skirted death several times in the past, and his final thoughts swirled around some of those events,  like when those three headless goons tried to rob me after selling some scrap to the Buyer. They kicked the crap out of me until Kjelga, that big hobgoblin lady, rescued me.

A breath.

He thought about Kjelga, with whom a brief romance budded after she nursed him back to health. Unfortunately, the relationship ended with a misunderstanding involving a stack of spacklecakes. This led to Kjelga nearly decapitating Frack with the same sword that only days before saved him. Such was the life of a young goblin surviving in the squalor that was the Slopes.

Another breath. Frack figured it would be his last.

Then there was the Rat King, the talking gorilla who threatened to pull my arms off, and the gnoll with the crazy eye. And that time that Rom pulled me from the river after I fell in reaching for a piece of silver. Rom Redshield. I wonder if I'll see him on Celestia. I sure hope so.


So this is it. I guess it's been a good life. I mean - it wasn't very long, but I think Tyr will be proud of me... I wonder why this is taking so long. I thought the trip would be pretty fast. And am I still breathing? It feels like I'm still breathing.

Veracity grinned at Baern as he dusted himself off after his near-incineration, "Sure thing, B.  I like having a guy on my side mad enough to charge a dragon by his lonesome!"  She talked cavalierly about this whole misadventure, but she'd been more worried than she let on.

As Baern loaded an unconscious Procz onto the adorable mechanical mount while the half-orc tinker lay stabilized nearby, Vera noticed Kreo working to rescue a toasted goblin from death, but hadn't yet returned him to consciousness.  She tipped the brim of her newsboy cap toward Vecaal on the way over to kneel by Frack, who she spoke to in gentle tones, "Frack, was it?  I heard you offer to cut my pal Vecaal from the webs, which was gallant of you.  Arise, little hero!"  A touch dramatic, sure, but she reckoned the little fellow would appreciate the sentiment.  Some power laced into Veracity's words revitalized the fallen goblin, restoring him to consciousness once again.  She patted the miniature knight on the shoulder and gestured down to the end of the engine room and said, "The constable and the tinkerer could use your help."

Just then the boisterous voice of Donna the dwarf forewoman called down the stairs.  Veracity doffed the newsboy cap to free her backward-curled horns and matching violet braid, and quickly scrubbed the cosmetics that aged her up into the role of Roxie the contract laborer.  The disguise was mostly off by the time she greeted Donna with a disarming smile, "Hey there, Donna, ma'am.  We most certainly did chase off a dragon in heroic fashion, and damn nearly were roasted alive in the effort.  How's the situation upstairs?"  She noticed Donna's less-than-favorable reaction to the still unconscious 'Gail' and asked, "Why do you say that?  I understand she's been bringing her faith into the workplace."

---

Cast a 1st level Healing Word on Frack, healing xxxxxxddd HP

• 12:23, Today: Veracity rolled 5 using 1d4+3.  Healing Word.

Deception to charm Donna and downplay the entirely inconsequential and not suspicious fact that Vera was in disguise earlier:

• 12:24, Today: Veracity rolled 25 using 1d20+7.  Deception.

Frack, still confused by what was evidently not going to be his death after all, gave Veracity a long, blank look. He liked this person, even if it wasn't clear who exactly she was. Maybe it was because she called him little hero (was that my imagination?) or maybe it was because she had a friendly smile. He adjusted his helmet as her suggestion finally sunk in. Procz had fallen! The constable needed his help. He spun into a half turn and raced to his friend's side, placing a hand upon the fallen kobold's arm and praying to Tyr for his help. Once finished there, he tended to the half-orc, as well.

OOC: Cast cure wounds on Procz then lay on hands for 3hp to Ilya.
 23:21, Today: Frack rolled 6 using 1d8+2.  Cure wounds (Procz).

Procz shifted into consciousness. There had been no dreams. No bright lights. No promise of an afterlife. Maybe there wasn't one, or Procz was destined for nothingness. He opened one eye, catching a blurry, upside-down and askew image of Frack.

Then the cough returned and Procz rolled off Zúm, retching up smoke and ash from his lungs (and the remainder of his breakfast from his stomach). "My...apologies..." He struggled to his feet, and looked for his cane, which he had dropped. Procz turned in a full circle; both from light-headedness and a need to take in his surroundings.

He spotted his cane and staggered towards it. "The assailants escaped..." The words came with another cough. "Their victim... left injured... but alive." The kobold limped back, cane in hand and put to good use. "I thank you again, my friend. It was foolish of me to ride ahead, Unfortunately, necessity outweighed wisdom."

He acknowledged the others with a nod, not knowing that at least one of them might have saved his life. Moving up to the half-orc, Procz spoke up as Frack healed her. "Ilya Gyula, I presume? My name is Procz. We need to talk."

Donna appeared touched by the satyr's offer. "There's forty four of us in the local. Two main crews of sixteen, graveyard crew is eight, and a few working swing as needed. Recognizing beggars can't be choosers, we'd prefer to keep the crews together.

The offer's much appreciated. Solidarity." She clapped Kreo earnestly on the shoulder. "You're with Crock, though, aren't you? That's not a no, to be clear, just need to know where money's coming from 'fore we accept it. We'd have to vote on it. But know that the offer's appreciated, regardless."


"Under control. Automaton-wise, anyway. We put them together, so we know how to take them apart. Whatever in hell happened down here, I expect the Resolve'll be 'round sooner rather'n later to investigate. Your friends here have made enemies of them already, so probably best you make yourselves scarce."

"You've answered your own question, hon. All this factory-coming-to-life nonsense is her doing. They brought her in to automate our replacements - them bastards upstairs. Then she got carried away. Best I can figure, anyway. Can't imagine ol' J.P. wanted a factory with a mind of its own, but hey, what do I know about what that rich prick wants?

So who are you, anyway?" she asked Veracity. "You're not the law, you're not the Resolve, and no offense, but you don't look like you work with your back, either."

"Hey, Mister Constable, your beef ain't with me. JP Cognelius himself built this place. Had us all working under duress. Ask any of them." The half-orc started to gesture to her co-workers but stopped when she saw the evil look Donna was giving her. "Err, maybe don't ask them. They had it worse than I did, I'll admit.

Oh, hey, I can talk now! Thanks for that. And, you know, for rescuing me from those goons. I'm not above talking to the law, but you've got to guarantee my safety. From the Descendants at least, if not from Cognelius. Speaking of Cognelius, you maybe don't want to ask too many questions. Might get some answers you don't want, know what I mean?"

"Well done, then, and thanks for the sensible advice.  Might be wise to decide what's coming immediately next for you and your people, because the Resolve may not be terribly pleased with the direction the strike went."  She raised an eyebrow to Kreo, curious what he had to offer that many displaced workers.


"I see.  For what it's worth, it seems this got out of her hands as well.  I'm more inclined to blame the one gave her the orders."  Vera put on a wry smirk and then said, "What J.P. wants is obvious, innit?  He wants workers that take no pay, never clock out, never make mistakes, and don't get together to demand silly things like basic rights and to not be worked to death.  I'd guess his only problem with this experiment is that the 'bots stopped doing what they were told."


Without missing a beat, Veracity said, "You can call me Veracity, miss Donna.  My friends and I are private investigators."  It was true enough, just that the 'investigation' was into valuables that might be lifted from the premises.  "We got word of strange malfeasance putting workers in danger, and so we came to look into it.  Turned out our sources understated the situation a tad."

Across the psychic link between herself, Vecaal, and Baern, Veracity psychically said, [We'd best get moving before the Resolve arrives, so let's rally up.  That big bloody hole seems a decent escape route.]

"I know. I don't have any beef with you." said Procz. He listened in on the conversation between Veracity and the others with one ear, while giving the half-orc his other. Maybe the sickly kobold wasn't good at fighting mechanical dragons, but he could remember every syllable uttered in his presence in the last month and repeat them verbatim.

"You're welcome." said Procz, about the fact that they saved her from being kidnapped. "Now, I presume the firbolg and the yuan-ti are Descendants?" He lowered his voice, as he continued. "What did they really want from you? Is it your information about... Luminescent Athenaeum? Tell me what you know. Please." Procz wanted to cough again, but focused in order not to flinch as he said those mysterious words.

Frack looked back and forth between Procz and Gail as they volleyed questions and answers between them. Each time he turned his head, his helmet stayed in place, covering one eye when he looked toward the constable and then covering the other when he looked at the mysterious half-orc. This happened until Procz uttered the words Luminescent Athenaeum, at which point Frack turned his head much more slowly toward Gail, allowing him to finally fix both eyes upon her in anticipation of the answer.

He had no idea what Luminescent Athenaeum was, but it sounded very important to the case.

Kreo heard Donna out and responded

"I'm with the union for Crock's workers. No one who fights for the worker is 'with' Crock. But your members might provide the groundswell we need to make the United Caldera Workers a reality. Not a condition of the help, please, by all means, take a vote."

Kreo tried to keep his face placid enough at the mention of forty people. Forty workers collected families' mouths to feed would stretch the finances some, but it was hard not to get excited
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Thu 29 June 2023.

[Yesss.  We're in no condition to laze about.]. Vecaal had taken a beating from the maniacal crane and then suffered from the dragon breath.  He knew the others two had been similarly abused in the course of this assignment.  Waiting around for the Resolve to recover their courage would just be stupid.

"Talk somewhere else, little constable," the big dragonborn said aloud, referring to Procz's interrogation of Gail, or whatever her name was.  "We must leave here, now."  . He took a few steps toward the opening the dragon had created, hoping his movement would encourage the rest to get moving.

"Isn't that what we all want?" Gail interjected herself into Veracity and Donna's conversation, prompting a dramatic rolling of the dwarf's eyes. "Let the machines do the work. Isn't that the dream? No shortages, no scarcity, and no work. Plenty of everything for everyone, and we can all eat good food and make beautiful things and spend our days lying in the sun with our loved ones."


The question shocked the opinionated half-orc into silence. "Who are you?" she managed in a low whisper, when her wits returned to her.

Vecaal's suggestion seemed to snap her out of whatever trance Procz's question had put her into. "I don't think it's going to be so easy to just walk out of here. Syntus and Crajeon took the dragon, so unless you were planning on swimming, there's one road out of here, and it's the one the Resolve will expect us to be on."

With that final pronoun, she asserted her belief that the good folks who had helped her escape once already would do so again.

Edit: Procz, could I get Insight and either Persuasion or Intimidation (depending on how you see Procz presenting himself to Ilga) rolls from you?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:10, Thu 29 June 2023.

"What about railcars?" Baern asked. "Is there any link to the trams running through the walls of the caldera?"

"Gail, my friend!"  Veracity turned the half-orcess a disarming smile.  The tiefling's presentation had changed from the disguise she'd worn when they'd last met, but the Cunning charm that made them fast friends remained very much in effect.  "Glad to see you well enough to share your dreams, but best we listen to Vec and save the pontification for after we're clear of this place."

It was interesting that Gail seemed familiar with the pair of failed kidnappers and they robot dragon, but that was another matter to be addressed later.  Veracity offered, "There's also the way we came in, the iron door out to the drainways.  If the Resolve are still out there I can get us past them."  She retraced steps back toward the way they'd entered, hoping that it hadn't been buried in wreckage or melted into slag by false dragonfire!

Procz' heart rate quickened when the half-orc reacted to his words. She did know. Still, she was very hard to read. And while his words seemed to affect her, he used a spell to augment his ability to get information from her. "I am an individual who care deeply about the ancient legacy and its meaning to our future. I am an ally. I happen to be a constable, but I'm not sure that's either a benefit or a detriment with regard to our circumstances."

He coughed, unable to keep from doing it any longer. Who knew, perhaps he'd score some sympathy points from showing the hell he went through to save her.

Insight failed miserably with a result of 6.
Persuasion was a glorious success with a result of 21 after a nat 20!
Casting Detect Thoughts to help extract more information.

Upset by Vecall's tone toward his friend, Frack stepped defiantly toward the dragonborn. "Who you calling little, you big... big... Only then did Frack realize just how large the scaly rogue actually was. Big enough to end Frack's sentence before he intended.

With golden eyes Vecaal peered down at Frack, standing only half the Dragonborn's height   His mouth curled around his sharp teeth in a draconic smile and a good-natured laugh hissed forth.  "I am talking to your little constable friend, little protector," he reinforced.

"The Resolve will not be cowed by the dragon's display for long, now that it has left.  Leave now, take her with us," he motioned with his crossbow at Iiga, "and talk somewhere safe."

Baern made his way to the gaping hole that had once been a door and peered outside. "Vecaal's right. Whatever we're doing we'd better do it soon, and if there's a way out that doesn't pass right under their noses I'd opt for that one."

Does Baern see any reinforcements marshalling from this vantage point? Is there anything left of the guards that were posted at the door?

"It's a detriment," the half-orc assured him. "But that's ok. I can hear the passion in your voice. And you've come to the right person - there's a lot to be passionate about! Dragons aren't just our past; they're our future. And the future is bright! Gearlord only knows how you heard about the Athenaeum, but there will be time to talk about all that later.

The fella with the big wrench is on to something. It doesn't link up to the other lines, but there is indeed a railway through the caldera wall. Unfortunately, there's no railcar. The overseer kept a little one here so she could flee in case of emergency, but, well, this was an emergency, and she fled."

Baern approached what remained and the door to find that the Steel Resolve who had been guarding it had met exactly the fate he had expected. The same fate, in fact, that he had nearly met himself, incinerated by the clockwork dragon's fiery breath. The Iron Maiden retained its basic shape but all its internal wires and gears were melted, rendering it a useless hunk of metal.

The Reservists' armor had protected the integrity of their bodies, but the heat had roasted them alive inside. One of their truncheons was largely intact, though it smoked and sparked when the gnome attempted to activate its electrification.

Baern practically cackled as he scooped up the baton and sparks leapt out of the end. "Your loss, mate," he said, giving the suit of armor that had once been a person a playful kick.

"Come on," he said, heading back in side and beckoning to the others. "We don't need no car anyway. We'll hoof it back."

"Where's the entrance?"

Veracity planted a boot on a fallen girder and rested an elbow on knee to peer out the melted opening to watch Baern searching outside.  As he plucked up his prized piece of weaponry, she looked with distaste at the suit of armor still steaming at the seams and smelling like barbecue.  On her gnomish comrade's return she remarked, "I've got little love to spare for Steel Resolve, but that's a rough way to go.  That sorry arsehole flirted with me on the way in."  Veracity had seen a lot of grimness in her relatively young life, but today's events had made an impact.


Turning back to Gail, Veracity asked, "Sounds a fine getaway route, but one small detail: where's that secret railway lead off to?  I'd rather not pop out in old JP's smoking parlor."  She looked back into the smoky depths of the engine room, beyond which lay the stairs back up to the factory floor and the main road, or the possible escape route up on the quite distant roof.  She nodded in agreement with Baern and said, "Still, the secret way out will be better odds than the main road, though I could make that work if there's no other choice.  Show us to the tunnel if you please, Gail, my very good friend."

Procz had more questions for the half-orc, but the others were right, escape had made its way to the top of their lists. At this point, these half-criminals or what-they-were, were better suited than him to make a successful getaway. Had he been alone, hiding had probably been the only option. So, he followed suit when the moved, climbing up on Zúm once again, they would surely not wait for him to limp along by foot.

As they moved, Procz spell remained active for a little minute more. He decided to probe deeper into the mind of Ilya Gyula (or Gail, as Veracity had addressed her). He gave Frack a look and a nod. They had some talking to do later on too. For now, they just had to tag along.

I'll attempt a deeper probe as described in Detect Thoughts spell description. Save DC 14.

Frack knew he was no Sprazzle Cognelius when it came to intelligence, but his knowledge of Coglinton's back alleys was suddenly pertinent. "The main railway would lead us straight into disaster, but there are plenty of side passages, too. Back from when the tunnels were used for mining. I used to explore them... when I was young. We could get out that way... I think."

He thought for a moment before continuing. It troubled him to think of what Tyr would say of such a hasty retreat. Is this the Path? Sneaking out through a back tunnel? We just prevented a kidnapping! We're on the Path, so why don't we just walk out the front door? He stepped toward Procz to discuss, but caught the kobold's reassuring nod as he hopped aboard his mechanical dog. I guess if Constable Procz thinks the railway is the Path, then it must be. Frack was still uncertain, but he trusted Procz wholly, and as a result joined the others on route to the railway.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Mon 03 July 2023.

Ilga clucked her tongue at Procz as she rebuffed his spell. "Patience, young wyrmling. The Gearlord will reveal all to you in time. Enlightenment is a process. Those who seek short cuts..." She trailed off, looking toward the direction from which her kidnappers had retreated.

She had a kinder smile for Frack. "Clever little fellow! I've always said it's the low folk who know the city best. The lower, the wiser. Status makes you sloppy. Lead the way, Sir Knight!" The half-orc executed a reasonable approximation of a Shield salute.

The Tinkerer, on behalf of Ilga, rolled 18 using 1d20-1.  Wis save.

Donna looked dimly upon the party scuttling off with Ilga, but she did not attempt to stop them. Nor did she have a better suggestion for where they ought to hide, for she could not disagree about the inevitability of the Steel Resolve depending upon what remained of the factory. Owl's End had been an enormous investment for JP Cognelius, and the gnome would want to know what happened to it. More to the point, he would want to determine as quickly as possible who was going to pay for it.

The factory floor was quiet now, Donna and the others having disassembled the troublesome workers and what passed for the sentient building's brain having been melted by dragonfire. Or rather, a mechanochemical approximation thereof.

Ilga led the way in doleful silence, casting wistful glances over the ruins of her project. What appeared to be yet another complex assembly of pistons and gears on the rear factory wall slid open to reveal a tunnel, with twin columns of steel tracks retreating into darkness. "Best we don't use a light. Can you find us a side tunnel in the dark, valiant knight?"

Frack did, and none too soon, for they were still picking their way along the abandoned excavation when they heard the rumbling of a railcar in the distance.

"Thanks," the half-orc said when they were settled. "Guess I should have said that before now. And look, I'm sorry if this caused some headaches for you. And for the other workers. But you're... not workers? Not any I ever saw, anyway. What brought you here?

Ack! Rude of me. I should go first. My real name is Ilga Gyula. I built this place. Not the gears and stuff. The important part. The brains. I made it work. I made it think.

That's not what ol' JP brought me in for. Well, not exactly, but it was what they needed. I was supposed to help them make sentient machines, robotic workers who could replace the various humanoids Mister Cognelius employs now. But I figured, why stop at workers? Why not make the factory itself sentient?

Let me tell you, a guy like Cognelius, he thinks he knows everything. Wants to decide every detail: which machine goes where, how many workers on each shift, down to the smallest thing. But he's got no idea. Never swung a hammer in his life, I imagine. So what gives him the right to call the shots? His money? It's not even his money! It's his daddy's money.

Look, I'm not saying I could do better. I mean, I could, but I'm not saying that. All flesh is flawed. Even the dragons got it wrong, and they were far smarter than any of us.

But the machines... The smooth rotation of the gears, the clean interlocking of their teeth, the way the assembly line delivers the widget just as the next machine slams down to stamp it into shape then ships it along to the next station... it's the only thing that gives me hope for this steaming cesspit of a city."

Ilga, who had gone red in the face lamenting JP Cognelius's incompetence and undeserved status, relaxed as she spoke reverently about her beloved mechanics.

"Those goons you saw hauling me off - Syntus and Crajoen - they used to be my friends. Colleagues, anyway. We called ourselves The Descendants. Guess you've heard of us. Anyway, they didn't like that talk, machines being better suited to rule us than dragons. All they wanted me to do was built and keep quiet. Well, I built alright, but I wouldn't keep quiet, so I figured it was best if we parted ways. I guess they caught wind of what I was up to here, though, and they didn't like it.

I caught myself thinking it was lucky you showed up just when you did, but luck's got nothing to do with it. It's all part of the Gearlord's grand plan. The line always delivers the widget just when the machine is ready.

But ok, enough about me. What brings you all to Owl's End?"

Everyone can take a short rest while you hide out in the old mining tunnel.

Baern sat down with his back to the tunnel wall and reached for his canteen. Half the bottle went down his throat before he tipped the rest out on his bald head. His skin burned at the touch of the water, still red and raw from his recent broiling despite Veracity's ministrations. He pulled a kerchief from his breast pocket and proceeded to pat himself down.

[Ain't no point in fooling, Vera,] he offered silently. [May as well come clean. We ain't done nothing for the little constable to take offense to, and we'll probably get more out of 'em if they feel we ain't stonewalling.]

But to the others he said nothing. Baern knew his place. Baz had put him on this job to wrestle giants and run headlong into dragons' teeth - not to broker impromptu alliances. That was Vera's beat. He sat and listened to the tunnels instead.

Spending 2HD to heal.
14:37, Today: Baern Snagglehorn rolled 16 using 2d12+4.  Short rest.
Song of rest +1.

Total 17 back
This message was last edited by the player at 19:16, Tue 04 July 2023.

Procz sat quiet for a while, listening to Ilga Gyula. He coughed again, finally having cleared up the last of the dust and soot from his weak lungs. When the half-orc spoke about sentient machines, he pulled Zúm closer and patted his neck. Zúm was special; more than some crane or even an entire factory, regardless of how sentient she said they were. Zúm had a living soul.

"We found ourselves here today in order to locate you." said Procz. "I brought my friend and associate, Mr. Frack of the Shield because I can trust him with my life. And I believe he has saved it more than once today already. We met Kreo outside the factory when we were attacked by Steel Resolve thugs, posing as Constabulary. The others came on a separate errand, but I've crossed paths with some of them before." He glanced at Veracity.

The kobold paused. "I gathered as much, that you had some kind of falling-out with Syntus and Crajoen, firbolg and yuan-ti or vice-versa? Who built the dragon? Anyway, as I said, my interest lies in the subject of Luminescent Athenaeum. What do you know about it and how does it relate to the Descendants?"

Rolled 2 hit dice for healing, but adding a song-of-rest from Veracity, I really only need to use the one.

Vecaal's large golden eyes considered Vera and Baern for a few moments.  [Agreed.  Tell them the basics, so they believe you.]

The big dragonborn sat on his haunches, the rest of the group on his left and the main tunnel back to his right.  The dull amber sheen of his scales looked a sooty black in the dark tunnel, almost a match for his dark cloak.  He'd stowed the crossbow and now hunched there, back against the wall and clawed hands resting on his thighs.

He listened to Ilga recount the recent history of the factory, hissing softly through clenched teeth at various points he found disturbing.  Without asking, he expected the desire for a self-running factory was so the current workers could do more pleasant things with their lives.  Except he knew it would not work that way.  Once the workers were displaced, they would starve or turn to crime and other violent pursuits just to survive. The bosses wouldn't do anything for them, because it would cost money.  Passionate zealots like Ilga were all the same - too blinded by their inventiveness to see what it would mean for those left behind.  Just because you could do something doesn't mean you should.

He didn't verbalize any of it though, because getting into an argument here was not useful.  He kept watch and like Baern, waited for Vera to explain the presence of their little trio.

OOC:
Rolled 2 HD plus Vera's 1D6.  Regained 11 hp, returning Vecaal to ~75% health.  Still fighting the die roller a bit  ;)

Kreo sat and listened, chewing some leaves from his pack and dressing his wounds and burns with salves from his pack, at last taking out small spectacles to consider his pistol, laid across his lap

"The machine, the tool, will never do anything except what the hand that directs it says to. A factory that moves on its own is only half the work completed, you've lit the fire but you've not put it to use! Neither JP or Crock is rich on his money or his father's money, he's rich on his workers' money. Their graft, their sweat and their labour makes his profits and secures his power, and it'd them who should reap the harvest sewn by clockwork and gear."

The satyr opened up his pack with Procz telling the story of how they'd met and smiled

"Yes, the little ones were outside fighting such a good fight I felt inspired to join in, got swept up in the fervour of it all. Plus there's the matter of the striking workers outside needing some resolution. I'll need to look at that in the coming days."

Pulling out a latched box, he cast Vera a knowing glance. She'd know his kit well enough in passing. Opening it, brushes and charcoals and paints and dyes all shuffled around

"While we sit, does anyone need some work . . . making themselves look different? For when we leave, mind."

After leading his new friends into the mining tunnels, Frack leaned back against a wall and  closed his eyes for a moment. He heard the chatter between Ilga and the others, but had little idea what they were talking about. He fought against sleep for the better part of 10 seconds before succumbing, relaxed by the sound of Veracity's gentle voice. When he awoke, he felt much better, even though his skin was still molded into his chain mail in certain spots. He considered himself lucky. He had battled a dragon (who says mechanical dragons are any less fearsome than the old flesh and blood types?) and lived to tell about it!


23:29, Today: Frack rolled 24 using 2d10+4 with rolls of 10,10.  Hit dice.
23:30, Today: Frack rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Song of rest (thanks, Vera).
This message was last edited by the player at 00:53, Thu 06 July 2023.

"Vice versa. And I built the dragon. The interesting bits, anyway. Could have been even more interesting - could have been a real dragon - but Magresh - that's the leader of the Descendants - wouldn't allow it. Sacrilege, he called it. So I found another patron. Not that I expected JP would be any more keen on a sentient factory than the Descendants were on a sentient clockwork dragon, but at least he paid less attention. Got a lot of factories to oversee, hasn't he?"

Ilga was getting riled up again, pacing the little tunnel where they were encamped as she spoke. The mention of the Luminescent Athenaeum paused her in her pacing. "Look, the Athenaeum's just a rumor. Far as I know, anyway. You've got to understand, these people are fanatics. They'll seize on any bit of gossip that tells them what they want to believe, which is that the dragons weren't as bad as the Cogneliuses make them out to be. That there were good ones, that we were better off under their rule - that we'd be better off under their rule again.

So, this Luminescent Athenaeum... they think there's a, like... a library, of sorts, hidden somewhere in the Lower Slopes." She laughed a bit as she continued, "That a shadowy network of squalid sages has collected artifacts the Cogneliuses tried to get rid of, artifacts proving the existence of metallic dragons who were not as evil as their chromatic cousins. Who had all the wisdom and bravery without the avarice.

Look, I don't want you to get your hopes up. I can't overemphasize how credulous the Descendants are when it comes to this sort of thing. How literally desperate they are for any piece of solid evidence that would buttress their beliefs."

The half-orc nodded in silence as Kreo matched her soliloquy with one of his own, seeming to think the two of them in perfect agreement. Nor did she appear taken aback by the pistol in the satyr's lap.

"I would take you up on that. If you're offering. Guess I've made some powerful enemies today, same as you. Speaking of which... I don't suppose you've got somewhere I could lay low for a little while? Just until all this blows over."

Despite the breezy tone of her request, it was plain to everyone this was not going to blow over soon. JP Cognelius was one of the two most powerful people in Coglinton. One of his factories - an especially expensive and highly secretive one, at that - had been destroyed and his private security force assaulted. He had the reputation of a gnome who held a grudge.

Seems like we're waiting for Vera to speak on behalf of Baz's crew? If you choose to tell her anything less than the full truth, please include a Deception check with your post. Thanks!

"Low in stature and in origins, but towering in valor and heart.  Sir Frack of the Crimson Shield guides the way!"  Veracity gave the clever goblin an encouraging pat on the back, joining in the praise for his resourcefulness.


Veracity listened closely to Ilya's tale about falling out with the Descendants, then going beyond her JP contract to bring a whole factory to life.  She couldn't help but admire a woman with both vision and the will to make it happen.

Then, the discussion turned toward the burning question of what had brought them all to Owl's End.  Veracity smiled, and turned a knowing amethyst gaze to Baern, and to Vecaal, then clapped her hands once and began, "Right, then.  Today we've all shed blood together, and I confess that I've taken a shine to the lot of you.  So, I'm going to give you a rare gift from a practiced prevaricator.  The truth."  Spreading her hands, the tiefling announced, "I told some of you that Baern, Vecaal, and myself are 'independent contractors' or 'private investigators'.  Both true after a fashion, but I hadn't mentioned who we work for.  That would be none other than The Spark, under Baz Cinderhorn.  You might call us a 'gang' and I'd say that's selling us short, but such categorization is beside the point.  The real question is, why are we here today?"

Veracity let a few beats pass, then said, "We're here because the boss had a hunch.  Something was off in Owl's End, and he didn't like it.  He sent us to look into it while the place was empty on strike, and that's what we did.  I think we can all agree that he was right to be suspicious.  I hope we can agree that this disreputable trio made something decent out of this debacle."

Vera's voice had a musical cadence that had a way of soothing the listener, whatever they thought of what she was saying.  By the end of their rest in the tunnels, everyone felt just a little more pep in their step.

---

I mentioned it OOC, but reminder that Vera's Song of Rest grants +1d6 healing for those spending hit dice during the short rest!  Here are Vera's HD expenditures:

• 18:48, Today: Veracity rolled 8 using 1d8.  Hit Die 1.
• 18:47, Today: Veracity rolled 2 using 1d6.  Song of Rest.

Healed up to 15/18 HP

Frack blushed under Vera's attention, turning his unpleasant greenish skin tone to an even more unpleasant brownish-greenish hue. This, along with the goblin's wide smile of sharp yellow teeth that he couldn't manage to wipe off his face, added up to a fairly hideous sum. Nonetheless, Frack was buoyed by the recognition.

When Vera confessed to exact nature of her independent contracting, however, Frack was uncertain how to respond. Breaking into a factory was not exactly how you follow the Path, however was this one of those situations where doing the wrong thing was the right thing? He wrinkled his nose in deep thought (well, as deep as they went for Frack, anyway). Then he looked at Procz for a clue of what to think. Procz always knows what to do. Plus, he's a constable.

The half-orc tinkerer did not appear particularly surprised to hear Baz's name. "The road to scientific discovery is paved with debacle," she advised the tiefling. "Your patron was right to be curious. I have much respect for an inquisitive mind. Gearlord knows this town is lacking them.

Not that I didn't respect Mister Cinderhorn already," she added, a bit hastily. "I'm from the Lower Slopes myself. I remember what it was like before The Spark, all the violence and the warring gangs. Someone needed to bring order to the place, and he's done a bang-up job, best I can tell.

Speaking of, per my earlier request, surely The Spark has got a safe house where I could hole up for a bit? I can earn my keep, surely that's obvious."

FWIW, I think The Spark crew would know of a few safe houses around the city - or at least how to find them in a pinch - but wouldn't be authorized to bring an outsider to them. The standard procedure here would be to bring her to your handler, Amara, who could hear her out and either make the decision herself or bring it to Baz.

Procz became surprisingly relaxed listening to Veracity, in spite of her being a known criminal. The kobold constable knew he was going to have to bring her and her associates to justice at some point, but now was not the time. Regardless of the service they had provided, they had broken the law and had to pay for it. He picked up on the look from Frack and gave him a subtle shrug. Procz didn't know. Yet.

He wondered what Frack would think about protecting Ilga Gyula and while the goblin considered that question Procz spoke up again. "Where did you learn about the Luminescent Athenaeum? I need to establish communication with them. I seek the hidden library."

Does Procz find Ilga truthful? Insight 24.

"Look, constable, this is going to have to be a scratch my back and I scratch yours type of situation. I need to know I'm protected before I start talking. That's only fair, isn't it?"

The sense you get is she's being basically truthful but is deliberately downplaying the credibility of the rumors. This seems like at least as much a desire not to get her own hopes up as to deceive you.

[Let's bring her to Amara.  She'll be safe enough with us, and she's at least as interesting as what I found and didn't find in the office], Vecaal thought to Baern and Vera.

The dragonborn shifted slightly in his watchful pose, anxious to get going.  "Can we get moving again?  A dirty side tunnel is not my idea of choice accommodations."

"We've already saved you from being captured, haven't we?" Procz reminded her. "But I'm not going to let nefarious forces get to you, even if you weren't useful. It seems we do need somewhere hidden to regroup and discuss our options."

The kobold turned back to the goblin. "What do you think, Mr. Frack? Can you find a place?"

The woman looked a little embarrassed. "It pains me to be difficult, constable, but you've got to establish your quid before you quo, haven't you? I do appreciate your help, but I didn't exactly have an opportunity to negotiate the price. So what's done is done and now you need my help and I could use yours, and, well, look, this is just the way things have to be, isn't it?"

"A word of advice? If you'd prefer to negotiate terms with someone, we can always take you back. See how JP or your former friends feel about what you have to offer."

Kreo pointed up and back behind him as he prepped his palate of makeup and accents, moving to touch the half-orc up to look like one of the lower-downs in the shanties Kreo often delivered crusts of bread and rejected beer to.

"Unlike Procz and Frack or Cinderhorn's crew here, I've no reason save idealism to save you. I'd like to, as I also have no ulterior motives save the cause. But heel draggers looking for a payout get good workers killed. And you're starting to sound like a heel dragger, Ilga."

Kreo nodded at Vecaal's question, smiling back at the dragonborn

"This one's got the right idea. Right now we're all of us worse off for staying grouped up in one place, criminals, goblins, an agitator like me. We either scatter, each group back to their own devices and no one gets Ilga, or we head to safety together, but either way we need to move soon."

OOC: 16 if Intimidation, 18 if Persuasion. Deception for disguise kit is +5 when it matters later.

Baern stood to his full albeit not exactly impressive height, and slung Bessie across his shoulders. "Vecaal's right," he said aloud, but it equally mirrored his thoughts towards the Dragonborn's whispered comments as well. "It's time to get moving."

He strode to the next junction and peered around the corner. Though he'd never been in this particular tunnel before, Baern had a remarkably good sense of direction under ground and he was pretty confident between himself and the surprisingly resourceful goblin they could find their way back to the slopes.

"Mr. Frack, is it?" he said, glancing at the goblin.

Veracity inclined her head to Ilga and said, "Nice to hear appreciation for our good work to improve the low corners of this fine city that nobody else cares for.  The sorts of places the Constabulary won't dip a toe except to crack down on loitering orphans."  She turned Constable Procz a good-humored wink.  It was all in good fun, even if she herself had once been one of those orphans to be run off or roughed up for having no place to go.


Veracity chimed in, "If our canny guide can only but bring us back to the streets, the Spark shall provide the safe haven.  Lead on, little hero!"

Once Frack had led the party back to the city, Veracity urged the group to hang back but a moment.  The tiefling produced a bedraggled pink scarf from a pocket and tied it about her head to cover her curling horns, then sauntered out to the end of an alley and leaned against the corner, casual as you please.  Not a minute later she gave a short whistle and made a subtle beckoning gesture.  A filthy teenaged dwarf lad scurried up, and Vera greeted him with a smile, "Fine day to ya, Wiggle.  How's your pa?"  She knelt down and spoke to him in a conspiratorial tone, "A favor, lad.  Scamper down to the noodle shop and tell Jeccarty, 'Requesting the Ghost's leave for a hand-and-eyes holiday at the rookery, pretty please.'  There's a double-helping of the house special if you make it snappy.  Got it?  Say it back, now."

Once Wiggle could repeat the message back flawlessly (particularly ensuring he didn't forget the 'pretty please') she grinned, ruffled the lad's hair, then sent him dashing off at a full sprint.  Once the messenger was well down the road she ducked back into the alley and beckoned the others, "Walk with me!"  Veracity proceeded to lead the others through a maze of byways and shortcuts toward an arranged meeting place.

"Uuuuhh," Frack grimaced as he felt the weight of the group fall suddenly upon his tiny shoulders. "We can probably find a spot in the rat tunnels, though I'm not sure it would be comfortable for anyone bigger than Constable Procz and me..." He pointed to Baern. "And maybe you... Uh, maybe we could..." he paused, hoping he would think of something, but it wasn't really working.



Frack heaved a sigh of relief knowing that he wasn't on the hook for accommodations for eight. As nice as everyone seemed, the rat tunnels weren't exactly the same caliber as Bu-Tangials lava-heated hot springs when it came to comfort. He suspected he'd hear a protest or two.

With Vera's vote of confidence, he straightened his shoulders and started down the tunnel. "This way. Watch out for rats. The little ones are okay, but the big ones can get a little ornery. Especially if they're hungry." He thought about the time he got lost in the rat tunnels and eventually found himself in the lair of Wikikidiak, the Rat King. It was an unpleasant memory, to say the least. It was also the reason his ears were not entirely full anymore. Well, no sense dwelling on that. We'll just stay away from the chutes and we should be fine.

The distinction between "alley" and "road" was a rough one in the Lower Slopes. Nothing was paved, so it was only a question of how trampled and muddy a given path was and how many hovels had cloth-draped doorways opening onto them. There was no order to the roads, nor to the hovels themselves, nor was there any coherence in their shape and material construction. They were made from whatever pieces their builders could scrounge up, thrown together in roughly the order they were found, with new features and rooms glommed on as necessity dictated. Some were three-story structures that swayed precariously in the slightest breeze. Others were simple pyramids formed from slabs of steel leaning against one another, and in one case someone had simply strung a wire between two taller buildings, draped a canvas tarp over it, staked out the sides, and called it finished.

Whatever guided Veracity's course through the maze of lean-tos and open sewage canals was lost on the others, at least one those who had been initiated into The Spark. Various nefarious looking characters stared out from makeshift windows or looked up from shadowy corners but, knowing the look of gangsters when they saw them, kept to themselves, awaiting easier prey.

Then suddenly a woman with the look of a beggar, coin-rattling cup in one outstretched hand and dark goggles over her eyes as if she were blind, stood up slowly. She was a fire genasi, tall and slender, but not nearly old as her hunched posture had suggested. Nor was her thinness owing to emaciation, as for so many denizens of the Lower Slopes, but rather to a lean and vaguely muscular physique. She, too, had the look of a gangster.

"Boss asked you to bring back something interesting," she remarked, looking up and down the alley for herself though Veracity had been doing so throughout their journey. "Looks like you brought four somethings."

Ilga stared at the woman in awe. "You can count me as something interested, at least. Who made those goggles for you? May I?" The half-orc reached for the genasi's face, only to have her hand slapped away.

The genasi directed her scorn not at the tinkerer who'd tried to touch her but at Veracity, as if demanding the tiefling answer for this impudence.

Those of you in The Spark know this woman as Amara. Known as The Ghost for her ability to move silently and pass unnoticed, she's one of Baz's lieutenants, charged with running the gang's more underhanded operations.

The rest of you can recognize her on a DC 15 History check, rolled with advantage if you have some familiarity with the underworld and/or the Lower Slopes.

Veracity led the group through the ramshackle alleys and byways of the Lower Slopes at an easy stroll, paying little mind to the shadowed dangers lurking in many a corner.  Actually, she called out friendly greetings to some of those shadowed dangers, who happened to be good friends of hers.

Vera slowed their pace as they drew near, and she gave Amara her moment to make a proper dramatic entrance.  She peeled off the bandana to reveal violet horns, then performed a little curtsey, "Lovely seeing you as well, ma'am.  Oh yes, we've brought in four interestings and more besides.  We've had quite the outing."  When Ilga reached for Amara's goggles Vera tensed momentarily, then cut in, "Keep hands to yourself if you'd like to keep them attached, yea?"  She sidled in between the two to defuse the offense with a smile, laying a hand on Ilga's shoulder and saying, "This handy gal designed and built an airworthy clockwork dragon that breathes fire!  Nearly roasted the lot of us.  There'll already be buzz about a dragon flying over Coglinton, I imagine.  Oh, and she defected from the Descendants and gave sentience to an entire J.P. manufactory."

Veracity gently pushed Ilga aside and performed a showy twirl, then presented Frack, Kreo, and Procz with a flourish.  "This fine trio got in a street brawl with the Resolve and won.  We met inside the destination and had quite the romp.  These two were after handy-gal and the horny lad was there for the strike, and we all got through a nasty scrape together.  The scaly little gentleman is a Constable, but a decent one.  Not on any payrolls and actually cares about justice."  The others might notice she gave no names during this introduction.

The violet tiefling spread her hands and concluded, "'Interesting', wouldn't you say?  There's more, but better to discuss inside."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:25, Sat 15 July 2023.

"Amara." Procz stated. "Aka The Ghost. Whispers of your name has popped up in 14 different reports over the last 6 months. The Glimmergem warehouse. The Underfoot explosion. The Nimblefingers heist. And seemingly a known associate of Miss Veracity. You know, the law will catch up with the both of you some day." The kobold constable gave a series of nods. "But not today, apparently."

He dismounted Zúm, brought out his cane and leaned on it with a little sigh. Needing help from criminals was frustrating.

History check of 26...

”You really know how to sweet talk a lady, guv,” Baern observed, leaning on the handle of his wrench. ”Real officer material.”

“Vera ain’t wrong though. He is interesting. Boss ain’t the only one who smelled something off in Owl’s End.”

The name Amara wasn't exactly familiar to Frack, but once he heard Procz's summary, he wished he hadn't. This whole day had been confusing. First there were constables shooting at him... not to mention at Procz! Then they somehow ended up falling in with a crew of criminals, which could gain them no favor from Tyr - surely He was not going to like this one bit. In spite of this, Procz seemed willing to play along with these new acquaintances. Frack didn't like it, but he trusted his kobold friend's judgement in such matters, so he played along as well. Tyr forgive your humble servant. I know these folks aren't exactly following the Path, but Rom taught me that sometimes justice isn't straightforward. I'm not sure if this is one of those times, but Constable Procz seems to think so and I'm going to trust him.

21:58, Today: Frack rolled 14 using 2d20, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 2,14.  History. Advantage due to knowledge of lower slopes. Just missed it.

As Constable Procz talked, Veracity let out a sigh and shook her head slowly.  He does care about justice, but perhaps a little too much so.

When the kobold finished she turned toward him and said in a sweet tone, her usual breezy jocularity replaced by an edge of warning, "Constable.  Allow me to remind you that you stand in the Ghost's house, whose hospitality I've beseeched on your behalf, in your time of need.  Perhaps you'd like to try again, bearing in mind a guest's courtesy."  Veracity stared meaningfully at the kobold, silently imploring him to take a hint.

---

Persuasion toward Amara to let Procz live long enough for a do-over ;P

• 22:17, Today: Veracity rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  Persuasion.

Vera gets to treat rolls less than 10 on Persuasion as a 10, so the result is 17

"Apologies. Like I said. Not today." Procz shrugged. "Today, I'm not here. I haven't seen anything or anyone. Besides, I have a proposition. Shall we talk inside?"

Vera's face remained impassive, but something shifted in her demeanor as Procz recited her record. She seemed... it could best be described as haunted.

"I suppose we'd better." Amara's voice was surprisingly icy for a fire genasi.

The interior of the hovel was more comfortable than it appeared from outside. There was no furnishing to speak of, but the air was cool and clear, a welcome respite from the stink of the Lower Slopes, which in addition to its own refuge suffered from the sulfuric stench that wafted over from the Caldera. None of the noise from the street filtered in either.

Ilga began talking immediately. "It's true. I built a dragon. But that's nothing. I had the entire factory-"

"We've already got a tinkerer," Amara interrupted.

"Not one as good as me!"

"That's not my call to make," the genasi said, though her tone made clear what the call would be if it were hers. "What about the rest of you? A constable's useful enough." She looked to Kreo and Frack. "What can the two of you offer in exchange for your shelter here?"

"I am only useful as long as you are useful." said Procz. "And I can imagine how we could be very useful to each other." He was going to let Frack and Kreo answer for themselves, but was ready to back up both with endorsements of their magnificent prowess and character.

"I am in need of humanoid resources. People with information, insight and ability." Procz paused and gave Zúm a pat. "As long as I'm in pursuit of serious criminal elements, I can overlook minor infractions. Besides, I'm on a quest of great importance and potential value."

Vecaal's snout twitched a few times as they stepped inside the Ghost's meeting hovel and then he took a deep, satisfying breath.  He never got used to the taste of clean air and reveled in it every chance he got.  When Ilga started talking immediately the dragonborn rolled his golden eyes and casually leaned a shoulder against the wall, looking like a dingy smudge of brassy charcoal more than anything else.  His eyes followed the conversation closely though, judging Amara's response to the 'guests' they'd brought along.

Unfortunately, the little constable was even less polished than the tinkerer.  Vecaal could only imagine the fires stoking within Amara's belly with this lack of deference, and when those fires let go?  He had seen Amara truly angry once before, and was not eager for a second helping.  Those episodes had a way of spilling over on the bystanders, like Vera, Baern and himself.

[We need to be careful not to get caught in the crossfire,] he mentally cautioned his two crewmates.

"You're a cocksure little one, I'll give you that," Vecaal rumbled about Procz, though his eyes moved to Amara.  Maybe he could distract her with more news, and let the fires simmer down some.  "We also found a few interesting things in the office.  Things that line up with the tinkerer's claims about the factory."

Frack straightened himself and cleared his throat.
"Frack the Faithful at your service. And while I haven't the strength of a dragonborn or the intellect of the good constable here, as a Shield of Crimson Dale, I do offer the hammer of Tyr, god of justice. While small in size, my friend Rom once said I have a heart of a giant. I offer my heart and my shield."

Though Kreo did not recognize the so called Ghost on sight, the demeanour told him all he needed to know. Criminals. Not the ally of the working man, but not the enemy either. As likely to stand on whichever side gave profit. And Baz Cinderhorn was paying this one it seemed, for now.

"Kreovliam."

Kreo gave a bow and in the same motion doffed his coat, revealing the armoured jack beneath and the clothing 'neath that before folding the garment over his shoulder.

"This 'horny one' happens to be one union organizer under Crock's workers, just so you're informed. I've no intention on seeing you arrested on this or any other day myself. When the day comes for all of us to make our accounting with what we've done for the worker, I trust we'll all have done what we thought was right. I hope at least."

He eyed Ilga with that last remark.

As they were led inside he unbuckled his gun belt and looped it with his coat, setting both down once the group found a place to settle and taking out his flute and dagger, setting both before him as he laid down his shield and began removing his armour

"I trust we are in fact guests of your esteemed friend then, Vera? With all that entails before a feyfolk such as myself?"

At the Ghost's question of his usefulness Kreo smiled

"I can offer of course the same offer I make to all, but it's not what I can give you but what you can have with your brothers and sisters in the united workers of the caldera. But your question, you want . . . materials? Service? I'm here protecting people who need protecting, and so long as you don't ask me to compromise my beliefs, I'll keep my sermons short. I give my gifts freely, they come from a higher cause than me in the service of the worker. But some healing magics, the ability to shape water and dance flames and light wizard's lights . . . I'll be honest, you likely employ bards and mages for such things so I don't know what you could need uniquely from me . . . "

He touched his finger to the dagger blade which lit up with an orange glow, deepening to a red that simply smoldered smokeless, heatless, withdrawing his finger.

"I'll help, but I'll not be intimidated into doing your bidding. I'll as soon turn, walk out, and give my word on the worker that you won't see trouble from me knowing where your place is. So long as Frack and Procz are safe, and Vera's crew, I don't need to burden you with caring for me. So my question would be, what can I do to help you and yours? I've some mystical energy left I can make use of still, it'd be a shame to waste."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Wed 19 July 2023.

Frack turned slowly to the fire genasi, his eyebrows raised so high on his forehead they disappeared under the rim of his helmet. With this stupified look frozen on his face, the goblin Shield waited to see how this clash of wills would play out.

The genasi watched with interest as Kero casually removed a firearm from his person. She seemed to consider him in a new light.

"As you say, we employ wizards of our own. Our interest lies in the greatest magic of all: friendship. Two working together can accomplish so much more than two working alone, do you not agree? We value our friends in the unions, and in the constabulary as well," she added with a glance toward Procz.

"Boss'll be hear soon enough to get a full debrief, but this sort of haggling is beneath him, so you'll hear it from me, now. Someday, and that day may never come, we will call upon you to do a service, not for The Spark, but for the Slopes. Until then, accept this hospitality as an act of gratitude for your inadvertent assistance with our recent mission."

I'm going to post again in a moment as Baz, but you can all take a long rest.

Baz Cinderhorn was young, perhaps surprisingly so for those who did not know him. Even his demeanor was young, his eyes alive with curiosity and his posture open as if he had nothing to hide and nothing to fear. The latter, at least, seemed true enough while Amara was by his side.

His vivacity was all the more striking considering the sunken cheeks and pockmarks which testified to deprivation in his early life, and the stub of a right arm which he surely had the wealth to supplement with a prosthetic, had he wished to do so.

"Welcome, friends, new and old!" he sang as he swept into the room, flanked by a muscular leonin and an aarakocra who somehow looked even more dangerous. A thick tangle of brown chest hair tumbled out from vee-shaped neckline of his shirt. An intricate mechanical device on the wrist of his good arm ticked loudly at regular intervals. "Thank you for your excellent work. I look forward to hearing a full report."

Veracity struggled to resist rolling her eyes at Procz continuing to throw all of his twenty-five pounds of weight around, telling them he needed their services in exchange for overlooking infractions.  When Procz finished up, Vera chimed in, "About this proposal...  We'd need to know what you want from us, and what you're offering.  Is it about that Luminescent Athenaeum?  A secret library of metallic dragon artifacts?  Can't speak for my superiors, but that piques my interest."


Veracity gave a nod and an easy smile, and confirmed, "You are our guests, and you're under protection while under this roof, and for as long as Ghost likes having you."  It didn't appear that the Ghost liked anybody or anything, so this statement might not be terribly comforting.  Kreo was somewhat cagey in his description of what he had to offer, although Frack was a heroic little ray of sunshine.  Amara went on to give quite reasonable terms for the safehouse's protection, even going so far as to express gratitude for the non-Spark trio's assistance, and Veracity gave the guests a wink.

Then the boss arrived with all his jubilance contrasted by the grimness of his bodyguards.  Vera opened her arms and declared, "The man himself!  Prince of the Slopes, friend to the common folk, and revolutionary of ethical business!  Lovely to see you, Boss, and have we got a story for you.  First, however, allow me to introduce three fine chaps who got mixed up with we scoundrels."  The tiefling introduced the three guests with typical showy fashion, making no lie about their credentials and the reasons they'd given for being at Owl's End, but nonetheless presenting them as quite the dashing virtuosos.

"Now heed my tale, for there are many intriguing developments with far-reaching implications."  Veracity set forth into the tale of their adventure at Owl's End with all the gusto of a stage performance.  She narrated and acted out the events with dramatic flair, building tension and foreshadowing, giving each player their moments in the spotlight, and acting out key moments enhanced by illusory special effects.  Woven throughout the story was the piecing together of a bigger picture... J.P.'s investment in machine workers and silencing the living workers who would be replaced.  The emergence of willful machine sentience occupying an entire factory capable of self-replication.  The Descendants viewing this mechanical mind as a threat to their ambition to restore draconic rule.

Veracity ensured that Ilga's central role in the the grand narrative would not be lost on the Spark's leadership.  She was a person of great interest to powerful players, and thus would be of interest to them.

As the tale drew near its conclusion, Veracity introduced the pair of dragon-riding Descendants by becoming them.  With a sweeping gesture Veracity was gone and replaced with the yuan-ti arcanist who had bombarded them with dangerous magics.  "Hurry up, Crajeon!" she hissed in a pitch-perfect impression of the Descendant's voice, "We've got company."  After ensuring that all present had gotten a good look, Vera transformed into the hulking blue firbolg who rumbled in reply just as they'd all heard him earlier, "Moving just as quickly as I can, Syntus."  She acted out the final moments of securing Ilga's release from former comrades, their survival of roaring artificial dragonfire, followed a number of timely rescues.  Veracity transformed back into herself and conjured a vivid illusory image of the antagonists mounting the great, shining brass dragon and swooping off in a narrow escape.  The illusory clockwork dragon continued to wheel overhead as Veracity concluded, "With the foes fled, this bold band took their leave of Owl's End before the Steel Resolve could regroup, escaping in secret to this very place, at this very moment."

Veracity took the deep, flourishing bow of stage performer and concluded, "That is our tale, though I'm sure that friends new and old will present their own perspectives."

---

Nat 20 Performance check for storytelling :D

• 13:26, Today: Veracity rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Performance.

"I will do my best to help when the time comes then. But in the now, asking again, I am curios if anyone in this place needs some healing? Offered in the spirit of cooperation, of course."

When Baz arrived Kreo listened to his words and Veracity's, dubious about the tiefling's claims of Baz's alliance to the common folk as Amara had said it best, criminals were friend to the constabulary as often as they were the working man. The two could not be reconciled with words.

Stepping forward Kreo extended a hand to Baz

"Kreovliam of the union of Crock's workers. I understand you're the newest organization poaching union members away from ours. I would be interested in finding out what it would take to bring the disparate power groups together, rather than apart, in terms of workers' negotiating power. When the time comes to sit down and discuss, I hope the assistance I've rendered today will mean you're open to the possibility. But for now, it is a pleasure to meet you and thank you for your hospitality."

Frack exhaled in relief as the tension between Kreo and the genasi reached a civil outcome. His eyebrows returned from under the rim of his helmet and his attention rotated to Vera just in time to catch her wink, which caused his green cheeks to blush once again.

He bowed with an almost comical flourish when introduced to Baz, confidence bolstered by Vera's generous account of his actions. Then as the tiefling recapped their adventure at Owl's End, he stood transfixed, as if hearing the story for the first time and not even sure of its outcome.

As a child, he once snuck into the theater to hear a famous raconteur depict The Rise and Fall of Skakatoa, a performance repaid with a standing ovation of over fifteen minutes from a crowd known for throwing rotten vegetables more than applause. Vera was no less able than that famous teller of tales, and Frack found himself blushing again.

Vecaal smirked a little when Veracity went into her performance, thinking that a simple telling might be more efficient.  But who was he to take away her opportunity to have some fun?  Besides, she was usually entertaining, and this time proved to be no different.  The dragonborn began to forget himself as he fell under her spell and into the story all over again.

He was so invested that when Syntus suddenly appeared before them Vecaal actually snarled out loud, before catching himself in embarrassment.  He edged backward, away from surprised and amused gazes, and glowered through the rest of the recounting.

Baz Cinderhorn was a ball of energy, his mind bouncing from one topic to the next as quickly as his body did from place to place. It was rare he allowed himself to finish a thought uninterrupted, let alone anyone else. Yet Veracity held him transfixed, providing fresh color and characters to captivate his attention whenever it began to flag. He clapped once, striking his good hand against his leg abruptly and forcefully as she finished, as if nothing could be considered complete until he had declared it so.

"Excellent! Excellent. Very good. Very exciting." His enthusiasm shifted from Vera to Ilga. "And you're the one who built it all, eh? First the Descendants, then JP Cognelius? Well, onwards and upwards! Perhaps you will fail further with us."

The half-orc beamed back at him, accepting the job he'd so casually offered.


"Anything you can do for this?" Baz held forth the stump of his right arm, then laughed. "Kidding, of course. Wouldn't want it back if I could have it. Reminds me how I got here. I wonder what else I may have to give up, to get wherever I'm going?" he mused, sounding more curious than cynical.


"Yes! Yes, indeed. Tremendous synergies. Tell me, what do you all need? What's the next phase of your plan? How can I help you get there?"


"It sparks mine as well. I've heard all the rumors, of course," Baz added quickly.

"Not just rumors," Ilga interjected just as quickly. "The Descendants take them very seriously, anyway. They didn't tell me, of course, but I think they've got a pretty good idea where to go looking for it. For all I know, they've started already. We're, uh... not exactly on speaking terms anymore."

Procz was astonished by Veracity's retelling of his story, although his own role had been modest. He had a few notes regarding details that did not come out entirely accurate, but ultimately kept them to himself in order not to interrupt the performance. He watched Bazzle "Baz" Cinderhorn while they spoke, taking in the figure who had made such an impact on the area. While his operations still clearly weren't entirely legit, he knew they had the respect of the common folk. After seeing him in-person, Procz still leaned in the direction that this was the better option, if alliances had to be made.

"I take them very seriously too." said Procz, finally speaking up. "The rumors regarding The Luminescent Athenaeum, that is." His clothes were burned, stained and torn, but the kobold constable stood straight, carrying his uniform proudly. "For good reasons, my sources are inclined to believe these stories. And I have great faith in them in turn, albeit without hard evidence." He made another hemming sound, not to express doubt, but to keep himself from going into another coughing fit.

Baern watched Vera's theatrics unfold with his arms folded across his chest. Much like Vecaal he found himself scowling at the 'effigy' of Syntus, and when Vera adopted the persona of Crajeon he couldn't help but mutter "I could've had him. Bloody dragon."

Veracity was pleased with how this small audience received her improvised performance.  Not an easy crowd, by and large, although they all had varying reasons to be interested in the plot.  She'd known Baz would be easy to entertain, especially considering that the tale touched upon interesting opportunities, but the most receptive audience member was undoubtedly Sir Frack.  She made sure to play up how he'd heroically rescued Ilya and Procz despite his own wounds, and turned the adorably guileless goblin a clandestine smirk.  She was also quite pleased by the reactions spurred from Baern and Vecaal when she impersonated the two key antagonists.  They weren't the only ones vexed by Syntus and Krajeon's escape.


When Baz gave this open-ended offer of support that included their guests, Veracity cocked a questioning eyebrow toward Amara.  After a pause to let others speak, Veracity chimed in, "I, for one, feel like we didn't get nearly enough time with those Descendant chaps, and I wouldn't mind learning some more from them.  Any advice on that, miss Ilya?  You know where they're headquartered, and where they keep the dragon?"  She then added, "Secondly, I'd like to take the temperature of any heat on us after today's incident, and make that go away."

Veracity then brought up another matter, "The way J.P. compelled his workers to not speak on the business in Owl's End concerns me.  That's a high-end enchantment with wide-ranging applications.  I wouldn't mind knowing how he did it so we can work around it when needed.  Something broke the spell while we were there, so it definitely has limitations."

Vecaal finally perked up a little at Veracity's last comment, though there was a sheepish look on his face.  "That, ah, might have been me.  There was a crystal ball filled with smoke in the control room.  I tried to remove it from the panel but it was stuck pretty good.  So I tried harder and then it broke."  He didn't look happy admitting he'd slipped up in his theft of the item, but that had seemed to change the behaviour of the factory equipment and the few workers.  Maybe directly or maybe happenstance, but worth mentioning.

"I'm guessing it was an important part of the whole factory mind-worker muted thing.  But maybe Ilga knows more about that?"

"The next step in the plan, I'm afraid, is the first step. Crock's workers, my own union, are not all onboard with an alliance. And sympathetic elements in J.P.'s organization and your own, similarly I've made few inroads. I'd hate to draw you into a fight you weren't prepared for. First would be to establish a group separate from the three that draws people from each. That is the ideal at least, to draw others under a large roof by showing others are already there."

Kreo sighed

"So I suppose . . . I am asking you to make the first trust. If I can gather the people and bring you proof I have them, will Cinderhorn's Crew work with us to unite the workers and the lower wards?"

Ilya frowned at Vera's question. "I know where the dragon is, sure. Where it was, anyway. But look, it's not the easiest thing in the world to build a new, dragon-sized stable, now is it? Especially without my help." The half-orc winked.

"The Descendants are headquartered on an island out in the caldera lake. Ummm... navigation isn't exactly my strong suit. But look, if you can find the island, I can get us inside."

OOC update: In the downtime that followed this conversation, Vera believes she has located the island as well as a skiff that could take you all out there.


"Yep. We all got bound to that orb when we started working at Owl's End. Any spell that was cast on it affected all of us. Thanks, by the way, for breaking it. Nasty bit of business, that."

"Absolutely. Very exciting stuff. And I'll go you one better: I've got jobs for all the workers you liberated today. You can tell them I'll match what JP was paying them, no blood ritual necessary. How's that sound?"

He had already turned his attention to the device on his wrist, making clear that last question was rhetorical. He already knew it sounded good. Owl's End had paid twice what the workers could make any other factory, which was how JP enticed them into submitting to such draconian measures.

"I'll check in in a week or so. See that you lot don't bring the constables down on us in the meantime, hmmm?" the gnome called over his shoulder to Amara, Veracity, Vecaal, and Baern as he departed.

Kreo wrinkled his nose and tried not to let on what he was thinking when Baz made his offer, graciously doing a half bow when it was clear their time with this illustrious leader was up.

---

Spoiler for anyone with Passive Insight 12+: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Kreo doesn't trust that offer. Double pay rates aside, this seems to unnerve Kreo, rather than assure him

---