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.