"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.