[ic]<Ot> Your small party has been trudging through the Saltmoor for nearly two weeks now, a dense, swampy mangrove forest that feeds the Sea of Netai. The going has been extremely slow and difficult. Deep lakes and impenetrable thickets have forced you to take innumerable long detours, requiring frequent stops to consult the only lodestone (which Areth-Ven, wary of desertion, never lets out of his grasp). Though you have managed to avoid any encounters with hostile creatures, the journey has been plagued by leeches and quicksand, among other less than desirable things. During yet another argument over the location and exact nature of the destination, your party has abruptly stumbled into a massive stone wall. The growth here is so thick that you didn't even notice the steeply sloping 40-foot wall until you were practically standing in its shadow. The stones lack the peculiar weathering of the ruins of the Artificers '" though old, this is a relatively recent ruin compared to most in the Forest.
<Tulthan> That is a big wall.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> More delays
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan makes an exasperated sound
<Tulthan> Right. Over the top then?
<Kunetze> How far are we from the szalk?
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan looks at the wall and looks over at Tulthan like he's joking
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> slow as ever. I suggest we try to find a way around
<Kunetze> Agreed.
<Tulthan> I think we should find out what this wall is about. It's recent, bound to belong to something interesting.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan points right along the wall
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> we will follow it along that direction and see what we can see
<Tulthan> Why that way?
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> because I said so
<Tulthan> What's the lodestone say?
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> it says that we are right where we should be
<Kunetze> * Kunetze shifts grumpily. This Tahr primitive annoys her.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan begins walking along the wall
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> come along we're wasting time
* Tulthan follows.
* Kunetze follows.
<Ot> The wall continues straight as an arrow. You do not walk for long before you spy what seems to be a large alcove further down the wall in this direction, perhaps ten feet tall.
<Tulthan> Hey, an opening. Let's check it out.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> very well
* Tulthan shifts pass Areth-Ven_Ilfan and heads towards the opening.
<Ot> As you approach it, you find that the alcove is actually a gate, square in shape and ten feet to a side. It appears to be covered with rectangular plates of copper, heavily tarnished to a mottled jade color. What lies beneath the plates is uncertain.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> what do you see
<Tulthan> The way is shut.
* Kunetze approaches the Tahr, looking for any kind of mechanism or lock.
<Tulthan> Told you we should have gone over the top.
<Ot> If there was any decoration or pattern on these tiles, it has been obliterated by corrosion. There is no visible handle or keyhole either.
* Tulthan knocks on it.
<Ot> There is a horrendous screeching sound of metal on metal as the gate collapses in a cloud of dust and splinters. The gate was likely wooden once, but rotted to nothing over the long years. What was holding it together before you toppled it like a house of cards is uncertain.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> unless you plan on lowering a basket from above I do not see how I could go over the top dimwitted one
* Tulthan jumps back in surprise.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan backs up
* Kunetze Kunetze peers beyond and steps tentatively inside.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan calls out
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> what do you see
* Tulthan draws his machete and follows.
<Ot> Ahead of you is a rectangular courtyard covered in hexagonal stone tiles. They were probably flat and smoothly joined once, but now each tile lurches at odd angles from roots and shrubs pushing up from below. The courtyard is bare save for three objects '" two water-basins (both dry) to your right and left, and in the very center a ten foot moss-covered statue of an Iskite. From the opposite side of the courtyard, a ziggurat rises abruptly. In the Forest, it was not visible, but it is quite obvious now that you are directly below it. Two steps are clearly visible, but a third is mostly hidden in the canopy of trees that rise from this courtyard and the steps of the ziggurat itself.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan tentatively approaches
<Kunetze> I think we're here.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan 's steps hasten when he hears the iskite
<Ot> There is a large rectangular opening in the side of this step of the ziggurat, about a dozen feet tall, directly behind the main statue. There are stairs on the face of the ziggurat that faces you, but they begin only on the second step.
<Kunetze> Wait, Areth-Ven
* Kunetze looks for traps!
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> what is it
<Ot> (Cogs are often in ruins, but as far as you can determine, this is not a ruin of the Artificers. You have no reason to assume there would be any more cogs here than anywhere else in the forest.)
* Tulthan goes over an investigates that statue.
<Ot> Though the facial features are indiscernible, the body of the statue clearly shows the subject wearing a long coat of scale armor. One arm, crooked at the figure's side, holds a flanged mace. The other is cast behind the figure, presumably gesturing to the ziggurat. You can see a peculiar sort of weathering on the pedestal the statue stands on '" two lighter-colored splotches that look like angular footprints lie in places where the statute's feet are not.
<Kunetze> (mutters) Reckless Tahr idiot...
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan overhearing kunetze can't help but chuckle
* Kunetze releases a puff of pheromone signifying mild irritation.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well if our volunteer trap springer doesn't spring anything perhaps we can investigate further
* Kunetze continues looking for traps
<Tulthan> Hey, check out these spots.
<Kunetze> Don't touch that statue, Tulthan
* Tulthan points at the angular light splotches.
* Kunetze checks for a pressure plate or signs of some other mechanism...
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan follows behind kunetze
* Tulthan scrutinizes the base of the statue.
<Kunetze> It looks like something was once placed here.
* Tulthan puts his machete away.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> hmm
<Kunetze> Or perhaps someone is meant to stand here...
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan examines the spot
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan looks up at the ziggurat
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> as fascinating as I am sure this is we should be looking there. More likely to find that which we seek within than without
* Tulthan returns to the Ziggeraut.
<Kunetze> I agree.
<Ot> As far as you can tell, there is only one entrance to the ziggurat - the large rectangular opening - and the ziggurat itself appears no easier to climb than the previous wall. On the plus side, there doesn't seem to be a door in the opening.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well let us be off
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan waves on the other two
* Kunetze grunts and pulls away, following Areth-Ven and keeping her eyes peeled for hazards.
<Ot> As you approach the entering, you hear a sudden chattering sound. The faces of a small troupe of monkeys peer at you from the top of the first ziggurat step. The opening leads into a hallway, which is extremely dark. The Umbril will be able to see perfectly in here - though not in color - but the rest of you will probably need to exercise some use of your flint and torches.
* Kunetze Gets out flint & steel and a torch and attempts to fabricate a light source.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan peers into the gloom
* Tulthan sticks on guard.
<Tulthan> Right, forward then. Torch, you take point.
* Kunetze moves to the front of the party.
<Kunetze> There probably won't be many traps till the inner chambers, but still, we'd better move slowly
<Tulthan> Alright, stagger up.
<Ot> The opening continues into the structure as a long hallway. Now illuminated by your flickering torch, both sides display a procession of figures, moving in the same direction you are.
* Tulthan examines them.
<Ot> As you enter the opening, one of the monkeys above drops a handful of pebbles on you. Its comrades gibber and hoot with what can only be glee.
* Kunetze snaps her jaws at the monkeys.
* Kunetze moves inwards, smelling the air.
* Tulthan tosses some pebbles back up at them.
<Tulthan> Bugger off
<Ot> The monkeys hoot and scatter away, having had their fun. As for the carvings - Most are Iskites, and most of these are bearing grain, animal hides, precious stones, or various items in boxes, urns, and casks that you can't identify.
<Tulthan> Tribute.
<Ot> A few among the procession are non-Iskites. Some bear similar loads, but some others seem to be the commodities themselves... there are three Tahro, linked together by a chain, being led forward by an armed Iskite, and an Umbril with its hands tied together and its head bowed. A few figures are depicted as bearing torches, and in these places are small crevices in the stone, spaced at roughly regular intervals.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan hisses at the image of the umbril in chains
<Ot> Even the floors and ceilings are engraved here, though with more natural designs - ferns and stones below, branches and leaves above.
<Tulthan> Someone had quite the manpower reserve.
<Kunetze> The Blood Lords were cruel - and ignorant.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> certainly
<Tulthan> The irony of that statement isn't lost on me I'm afraid. Lets go forward. Let's see what this tribute carving is all about.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> excellent idea, lead on then
* Tulthan takes point, drawing his machete.
* Kunetze rolls her eyes.
<Ot> You continue forward - the corridor is unchanging, and quite long, at least two hundred feet. The carvings, though they are all unique, do not deviate from the same theme of tribute and slaves.
<Tulthan> This would make a great lair for some kind of cog. I know I'd live here...
<Ot> The only sound here is the echoing of your own footsteps and the steady dripping of water from the stones above.
<Ot> At long last, you can see that the hallway opens up ahead. The smell - Moss and raw earth. The smell, along with everything else about the hallway, changes abruptly when you reach its end and come to the chamber ahead.
<Kunetze> The door was intact - unless something got in somewhere other than the front entrance, anything in here must've been around when this place was sealed.
<Tulthan> Could be other doors. We never really searched that courtyard... Right. Torchman, you're with me.
<Ot> The chamber ahead is large and circular. It is set lower than the hallway by a few inches. The workmanship is entirely different - large, irregular stones instead of the neat Iskite brickwork you saw before, and twisting, fluted columns arranged in a ring in the center. There is a musty smell here unlike anything else you've encountered here, and a grey patina of dust over everything. The engravings on the wall are the most interesting - There are the usual figures bearing tribute here, but they are clearly carved on top of existing patterns.
* Kunetze holds up the torch to illuminate as much of the room as possible.
<Ot> The bas-reliefs below are faint, but suggest great ovals arranged in a row with smaller circles in the gaps between them. Branches and vines coil between these shapes in turn, invisible to all but the closest examination.
<Tulthan> Someone came, saw and conquered, clearly.
<Ot> This is either a ruin of the Artificers or an astonishingly good replica of one. Everyone recognizes this kind of stonework and the abstract oval patterns.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan examines the patterns closely
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well there can no longer be any doubt that we are in the correct place
<Tulthan> Shall we check that out?
* Kunetze moves around the columns, holding the torch aloft.
* Tulthan puts his weapon away.
<Ot> The center of the room is occupied by - well, it might have been a massive bronze clock once, but it is completely smashed. Stones from the ceiling seem to have fallen and bashed it in like a porcelain plate. The clock was built into the floor - the face was flat against it once, facing up, though it's not very flat any more. The circular face cuts abruptly into the stones here. It seems to have been punched into the floor after this structure was built. Below the floor, between the fissures in the broken clock, you can see the innards of some machine - gears, rods, and springs.
<Tulthan> This isn't why were here, is it? That would be horrible.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> hardly, though it interests me
<Tulthan> I wonder how heavy these stones are.
* Kunetze tries to shift some of the debris away from the shattered clock.
* Tulthan aids Kunetze.
<Ot> They are heavy enough to bash in a bronze clock face at least an inch thick. You can move some of the rubble, but the larger stones aren't going anywhere.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan examines the clock as they shift the rubble
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan pulls out his knife and pries at it trying to work something open
<Ot> There is writing on the clock. You can't read it - it's not in the Luminous Tongue, what nearly all Iskites speak these days. The numbers are familiar, but nothing special - just the numbers you'd expect on a clock face.
<Tulthan> Well, if everything else is a bust we may be able to make off with some of this metal.
<Ot> Areth-Ven, it looks like you might be able to pry up some of the pieces of the broken clock face. It would, at least, reveal more of the machine.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan does so
* Tulthan lights another torch to improve the lighting condition.
<Ot> It is an assemblage of gears and rods, and a complicated one.
<Kunetze> This looks way too complex just to run a clock - these gears must do something else.
<Ot> The machinery, unlike the face itself, seems to be relatively intact. These rocks don't seem to have done much damage below the surface.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan continues to work on the clock, revealing what he can, shifting rubble and lifting plates and bits
* Kunetze begins to look around the walls or the room for anything else unusual.
<Ot> You can see what is probably the mainspring, deep down in the clock's innards. It has corroded into uselessness.
* Kunetze wanders back.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan attempts to obtain some of the clockwork inside, working at the cogs and shafts
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> if nothing else this metal will have value
<Ot> The clock seems to turn a large copper ring. It has a single notch in it. You're not sure what place such a thing has in a time-telling device.
<Kunetze> Can't see any obvious way to start the machine.
* Kunetze stops Areth-Ven by putting a hand on its shoulder.
<Tulthan> Probably too smashed up.
<Kunetze> Wait - what's this ring? Could we try and turn it manually?
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> I know I cannot you can try if you think that will help
* Kunetze gives it a shot.
<Ot> The ring holds fast at first, and then gives - slowly, then stops. You're not strong enough to move this alone.
<Tulthan> Let me give you a hand.
* Tulthan aids Kunetze.
<Kunetze> Thanks.
<Ot> The two of you pull the ring with all your might. It resists fiercely, but you slowly spin it on its axis. The notch begins to approach a series of copper pegs that are pressed closely against the ring.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan examines the pegs
<Ot> With a final bit of exertion, the notch moves to the pegs, and the first one pops into the notch as if spring-loaded. You hear a click, but nothing else.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> a lock?
<Tulthan> A trap?
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> unlikely
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> I suspect that this was designed to open something at a certain time of day
<Kunetze> This is Artificer clockwork, not Iskite make.
<Ot> There are five pegs in sequence - but it doesn't seem like the ring will turn now that one is in the notch.
* Kunetze Kunetze fiddles with the clockwork thing-gummy and sees if she can slip the pegs out of the notch, preferably so that the ring can be moved further on.
[05:35:35 PM] <Ot> Kunetze pulls on the first peg. It seems stuck quite fast, but then suddenly pops out with a tremendous BANG. Something shifts in the machine...
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> give that here
* Kunetze steps back, jaws snapping.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan takes the peg and examines it
* Kunetze tosses the peg to the Umbril.
<Ot> The ring spins on its own for a second before hitting the second peg. There is a popping sound and screeching metal, and the peg breaks like a twig, falling into the machine below with a loud clattering.
<Kunetze> Well if it wasn't broken before...
<Tulthan> It might be a good idea to move out of here.
<Ot> The ring continues and hits the third peg, which bends a bit... but stays in place. There is a click, and then another, and then a grating sound that won't stop.
<Tulthan> We have no idea what that thing does. I don't want to go back and find this controls that opening.
* Kunetze backs slowly away
[<Ot> The grinding stops, and you only then notice another rumbling coming from the side of the room opposite the one you entered on.
<Kunetze> Aha!
* Kunetze heads over to the source of the sound.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan follows
* Tulthan follows.
<Ot> There is now a shallow alcove in the wall. Set into it is a large gear, about seven feet across. You don't know how this got here... It certainly wasn't here before, but there is no evidence of any door having been opened. It's as if the wall was always this way.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> hmm
<Kunetze> A section of the wall must have rotated. I walked round here before and didn't see this...
<Ot> The noise has stopped, by the way. It ended with a creaking sound from the broken clock.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well that's that
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan heads back to the clock and begins trying to pull gears out of it
* Tulthan takes out his knife and taps the gear with the handle.
<Ot> It sounds hollow - or at least, there is an open space on the other side.
* Kunetze rushes over to Areth-Ven.
<Kunetze> Leave them alone - there'll be plenty of loot in this place without you having to pry every damn gear out of the floor.
<Ot> The gears seem stuck pretty fast. There are, however, two more pegs that the notch has yet to encounter.
<Kunetze> If we push that ring again we might get the wall to rotate further. Maybe if one of us stood by the gear we'd be rotated with it?
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> and then we'd be separated, keep such ideas to yourself
<Tulthan> I wonder how thick this gear is.
<Kunetze> well, let's try and rotate it first; maybe we can reset it.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> if you wish to try then do so but don't waste my time
<Ot> You would need to pull the current peg out before you could rotate the ring.
* Kunetze narrows her eyes at Areth-Ven.
<Kunetze> Talthun, stand back.
* Tulthan steps away.
* Kunetze pulls out a peg.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan resheathes its knife and stands back, crossing its arms in an annoyed manner
<Ot> You pull the peg out of position. As soon as it slips out of the notch, the ring spins again. The fourth peg clicks in with another loud BANG. There is a brief pause, and then a deafening squealing sound is heard coming from the far side of the room.
* Kunetze hurries over to where the gear was.
<Ot> There is an awful sound of metal bending and warping from the machine below. Everything is in motion... Kunetze reaches the gear just in time to see it start to move. It rolls into the wall, slowly... and there is sunlight beyond. Then, it stops rolling abruptly, and there is a tremendous banging and clattering sound from the machine. You can hardly hear yourselves think - the machine is tearing itself apart. Rods and axles are catching in each other and twisting into unnatural shapes. The clock face - what is left of it - begins lurching and sinking into the ground. The gear has rolled aside enough for someone to squeeze through, you think.
<Kunetze> Come on! Let's get out of here!
* Tulthan dashes for the opening.
* Kunetze tries to squirm through.
<Ot> A gear flies up from the machine with the force of a crossbow bolt and takes a chunk out of one of the columns. Tulthan has some trouble with it, but both of your are able to squeeze through.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan hurries after
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> we wouldn't be doing this if you fools weren't so adamant about pushing ancient buttons
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan squeezes through
<Ot> Areth jumps in as soon as they're through - and lands right on top of them. It seems there was a bit of a long step between the portal and the ground in the next room.
<Tulthan> Ow.
<Ot> You are in an open courtyard, again - but inside the first step, it seems. The stairs you glimpsed earlier lead straight up the side of the ziggurat and disappear into the canopy above. The noise has not yet ceased from the room behind you. Returning may be ill-advised. A row of Iskite statues stands between you and the stairs, each dressed in robes, each holding one arm outstretched with the palm towards you, and each with a pile of heavily rusted weapons at its feet as if they were given as offerings.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan gets up and brushes off
<Ot> On the stairs themselves, about halfway up, rests the massive artificial body of a Cog, stretched lifelessly over multiple steps. Though covered in lichen and decomposing leaf litter, it is undoubtedly a Soldier. Its cogsteel plating is undimmed by the ages even now.
<Tulthan> Let's take some of that cogsteel.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan follows tulthan
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> agreed
<Tulthan> Wait, How did this die
* Tulthan looks around.
* Kunetze looks for any obvious trauma or broken machinery - anyting confirming the cog is "dead."
<Ot> All you see here are the statues and the piles of weapons. There don't seem to be any other entrances or engravings of note.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan looks at tulthan
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> it likely simply ran out of power, don't try something stupid like channeling
<Ot> The Cog is too far away and covered with litter for you to closely investigate. You'd have to be much closer. From this distance, however, it seems intact.
[06:00:47 PM] <Tulthan> hm
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan approaches the cog and pulls away the greenery decorating it
* Tulthan climbs the stairs up to it.
<Ot> Almost as soon as you begin climbing the steps, you hear a noise - speech, perhaps? You can't tell where it came from. Almost immediately, however, the fallen Cog jerks and trembles.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan stops
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> lovely
<Ot> There is the sound of metal moving against metal, and the components of the Cog's body shudder as one entity. Gears whir and click as the construct's limbs flail outward and then contract. The body jerks, then is still, and then slowly begins to rise to its feet.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan backs off
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan heads away as fast as he can
* Tulthan hurries down the steps and looks for a hiding spot.
* Kunetze throws her weapons down at the statues' feet.
<Ot> The Soldier rises, leaves falling in great heaps from its shoulders. It lifts a great glaive in its hand, and with a loud thump, plants it on the ground, standing quite erect. The Soldier's first action is to turn its head towards your little group. Its glass eyes, set in a triangle on its otherwise featureless face, regard each of you in turn without any discernable expression (save Tulthan, who is hiding). The Soldier is clearly aware of you, but makes no move towards you. It stands with its weapon in hand; its only motion is to occasionally swivel its head slightly to keep watch on each one of you in turn.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well that kills our chances of going through
<Tulthan> Ran out of power you say
* Kunetze having ditched her weapons, tentatively approaches the stairs, ready to dart backwards round the statues if the Soldier moves.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan glares at tulthan
<Ot> The soldier fixes its gaze on Kunetze as she approches. It takes no action.
* Kunetze tries to move past the Soldier, poised to leap down or off the stairs, or to duck a nasty glaive-swipe if needed.
<Ot> Its head swivels to follow her movement as she passes, but once she has passed it, it returns its gaze to the bottom of the stairs. It seems to be ignoring you.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan approaches cautiously
<Kunetze> Ditch your weapons!
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan stops 30 feet away and drops its weapons and continues on slowly past the cog
<Ot> As soon as Areth touches his foot to the first stair, the Cog lifts its glaive with lightning speed as if preparing a javelin. Once the weapons clatter to the ground, however, it returns to silent attention.
* Tulthan discards his machete, but conceals his knife deep in his clothes before stepping out from cover.
<Ot> The Cog watches you as you ascend, but takes no other action.
* Tulthan follows the rest.
<Ot> The stairs continue behind it, up into the canopy. The Soldier faces the bottom of the stairs. Eventually, the stairs reach the wall of what must be the fourth step. The wall filled with representative artwork and ancient writing, carved deeply into the stone. In the center, just in front of the wall, is an altar stone shaped like a giant anvil. Set into the wall on either side are two semicircular alcoves, each richly carved with murals. The floor along the wall is filled with pottery, most of it overturned or smashed. The artwork immediately behind the altar shows an armored Iskite wearing a snout-plate (an Iskite 'crown') bearing a mace and gesturing menacingly to a large four-legged wyrm. The beast is clearly wounded, but has in its jaws one of the armored Iskite's arms. Between the two figures, about four feet off the ground, is a wyrm's head that protrudes from the stone, very similar to that of the wyrm in the picture. Between its jaws is a deep, dark, circular hole, about half a foot wide. Though it has faded greatly over the years, a considerable bloodstain covers the wyrm-head's lower jaw and extends from the head to the ground, as if the hole itself had once bled profusely. There is a lot of writing here, but you can't read any of it.
<Tulthan> Well I'll be.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan looks at the picture and then at the dragon head, then looks at the parties iskite
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> feel like risking your limb for the greater good
<Ot> The two alcoves also have their own murals, though nothing as grand as the centerpiece. The alcove on the left seems to depict a series of events. An Iskite is born; he is taught by Iskites with scrolls and instruments, as well as those with shields and weapons; he stands over the body of another Iskite, his head bowed; he is crowned with a snout-plate; a crowd of Iskites bows before him;
* Kunetze glances over at Areth-Ven inscrutably.
<Ot> the Iskite strikes down an Umbril with a mace, with spear-carrying Iskite warriors behind him and a massive pile of dead Umbril before him; the Iskite surveys many Iskites burdened with treasure; the Iskite holds a child in his hands; the Iskite sits upon a throne with a youth behind him and drinks from a goblet; a four-legged serpent holds the youth in one of its claws and shows its fangs menacingly to the Iskite; the Iskite stands over the broken body of the serpent with the mace raised in triumph and the youth beside him, victorious but missing an arm.
<Kunetze> You can see in the dark, why don't you look in there?
<Ot> The right alcove depicts the building of a great ziggurat. The only difference between that one and this one seems to be that the statue at the bottom is a Cog, not an Iskite, and many iskites are pulling at it with ropes as if to toplle it.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan shrugs and looks carefully down the throat of the dragon
<Tulthan> Hey, did anyone get a look at the Soldier's feet?
<Ot> It's filled with cobwebs. There is something down there - but from here, it just looks like a vertical line. You might be able to grab it.
<Kunetze> I was a bit distracted by the giant glaive to be looking at his feet, Tulthan.
<Tulthan> Damn.
<Kunetze> Why?
<Tulthan> Remember those triangular spots near the statue?
<Kunetze> Yeah, sure.
<Tulthan> Maybe that's where it once stood
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan picks up a pebble and drops it down the hole
<Kunetze> And they moved it up here to guard the stairs... it's a theory.
<Ot> A pebble skitters down the hole. Nothing happens.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well my limbs don't regenerate as easy as an iskites
<Tulthan> Nor mine.
<Tulthan> Anyone got some wire?
<Tulthan> Or a stick from that canopy over there
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan searches through his pack
<Ot> You don't have any wire. Rope, but you're not sure how useful that would be.
<Tulthan> Stick it is.
<Ot> Sticks aren't hard to find here.
* Tulthan heads off towards that canopy to wrest a branch off.
<Ot> There are plenty scattered around the ground, having fallen from the canopy above. You have no trouble finding one.
* Tulthan brings a stick back and puts it down the hole.
<Ot> You push the stick down the hole without incident. There is an object down there, like a vertical rod or lever. Pushing on it with the stick, however, doesn't do anything.
<Tulthan> Hm.
<Tulthan> Anyone got a spare torch?
<Kunetze> I do.
<Tulthan> Maybe it needs warmth to work
* Kunetze hands her torch to Tulthan.
* Tulthan spreads some of the incendiary on the stick and ignites it
* Tulthan passes the now burning stick into the hole[/ic]
[ic]<Ot> You light the torch and stick it down the hole. It does nothing. You poke at the rod with it, but the rod within doesn't seem like it can be pushed.
<Kunetze> I think it needs someone to pull it. I'll do it, Peril take you both...
* Kunetze waits for Tulthan to remove the flaming brand and attempts to grab the rod.
<Ot> You reach into the hole... Your arm is now fully in the hole. Your fingers touch a vertical bar; it's smooth and metallic.
<Kunetze> I pull on it.
<Ot> You pull the bar. It slides towards you about an inch, then stops. There is a click, and the four feet of wall below the wyrm's head abruptly drops into the floor. There is now an opening at your feet, wide enough to enter - though only on your knees. You can hear muffled talking from inside, much to your disbelief. Your arm seems to still be attached...
* Kunetze exhales a sigh of relief and withdraws her arm.
* Kunetze sniffs the air.
<Ot> There are definintely creatures talking in there, though you can't make out their words.
<Tulthan> Any volunteers?
* Kunetze whispers.
<Kunetze> Smells almost like an Iskite, but... wrong somehow. I put my hand down the beastie's gullet, someone else can get on their hands and knees.
* Tulthan cralws in.
<Ot> You crawl in - only to see a group staring back at you from within the chamber. In an elegantly carved burial chamber, centered around an alabaster sarcophagus, stands a group of Ussik and a single Umbril. You seem to have interrupted their work '" specifically, the gathering of various golden and otherwise precious objects with which the chamber is decorated.
* Tulthan waves at them.
<Ot> The Ussik look quite a bit like warriors, heavily armed with sabers, maces, and crossbows, and wearing coats of leather scale. They bear expressions of surprise, but their hands move swiftly to their arms. Only the Umbril, standing by the sarcophagus, bears a smile'¦ though, being an Umbril, what that smile means is anyone's guess.
* Tulthan tries to show he isn't armed.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan calls after him
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> what is going on
* Tulthan backs out, slowly.
<Tulthan> We're not alone and we are significantly out armed.
<Ot> The Umbril calls out from inside. "Who's there? Do come in, I won't bite."
<Tulthan> A few armed Ussik and an Umbril. I say we send Areth-Ven.
<Ot> A bit more sternly, this time: "My companions might, though, if you make them come crawling out to fetch you."
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan looks at the other two and whispers
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> I say if they come out we let them meet our friend at the bottom of the stairs
<Tulthan> Who's to say it's not there because of them?
<Kunetze> I don't think so, somehow - all that foliage over the Cog. Must've been there awhile.
agreed. and that umbril
<Kunetze> Sounds like a plan to me - we can get our weapons at least, fight them in the courtyard - so long as we don't head past the Solider it shouldn't attack.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> its voice is familiar to me, but I cannot recall in what way
<Ot> You hear someone clearing their throat directly above you.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan looks up
<Ot> Two of the Ussik are standing at the top of the step above you. They are both bearing arbalests.
* Tulthan jerks up.
<Tulthan> Explains how they got in there.
<Ot> One of them shows you a big, toothy smile. "Do come in, hm?"
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan sighs
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well if we simply run away we won't be going home with anything of value. very well then
<Ot> "Peaceably, like," one growls, and looks at Kunetze. "No point in spilling kindred blood, after all."
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan heads up
<Ot> There is a certain amount of sarcasm in that last statement.
<Kunetze> Tail-less scum. (mutters)
* Kunetze follows Areth-Ven.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> before heading in areth gives the other two a knowing look
* Kunetze whispers to Areth as they crawl.
<Kunetze> What's the plan here?
<Ot> You proceed reluctantly into the room. The Umbril and its Ussik guards are waiting for you, standing in a semicircle. They have their weapons on them, but are not brandishing them at present.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> we see what there is to see if there's a chance to lure them to our friend below we will
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan steps out into the room
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan sees the umbril and a look of recognition crosses his face
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> Neth-Usul
<Ot> "Areth-Ven," cackles the Umbril. "So you're here! Too late, I'm afraid - or too early."
<Ot> A look of superior glee is on the Umbril's face. The Ussik look bemused. "You made remarkably quick time. I must say, I wasn't expecting you here for days '" and by that time, I'd be long gone and you'd never be the wiser."
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well this explains much
<Ot> "I'm afraid you are about as fortunate as you are clever, cousin - the worst possible timing."
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> so then cousin, where do we stand
<Ot> "You seem to stand with a sad little alien troupe, while I stand with the treasure and enough force to dissuade you from taking any. Have I misjudged anything?"
* Kunetze looks about for any kind of ceremonial weapon or shield.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan smirks
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> yes indeed it would seem you hold the cards. So once again, where do we stand. I do not value treasure over my life. I am no fool
<Ot> "Well, I do pity you, but there's really no sense in making an enemy and letting him come around to have his revenge, is there? you're probably too useless and incompetent to get in the way, assuming you ever made it back to Netai. But I prefer to be certain about such things. Well? Any last words?"
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan smirks at neth-usul
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> best of luck cousin
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan before even finishing his sentence dives back the way he came through the tunnel
<Ot> Neth-Usul nods. "Hm, that's quite true. Give me -"
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan runs for the steps and dives over the edge
* Tulthan makes a face a lot like this: :|
<Ot> "Worthless worm," he rasps. "You always were a barely tolerable fool, and I won't miss you at all." He waves his hand to the Ussik. "Kill the Umbril."
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan goes half bounding half falling down the steps past the soldier
<Ot> The Ussik guards grimly draw their weapons and charge towards the entrance.
* Tulthan gets out of the way.
* Kunetze dodges aside.
<Ot> Neth-Usul screeches. "What am I saying, is that any way to treat guests? Kill them all!"
<Tulthan> That's not very nice.
<Ot> The Ussik are advancing on you in a less than friendly manner. One grunts to Kunetze - "Apologies. Just business."
* Kunetze hurls a torch - or anything else handy - at one of the crossbow-wielders, while charging the nearest Ussik.
<Ot> Areth-Ven, you are running down the stairs?
* Tulthan wrests his hidden knife and heads towards the closest Ussik, trying to go low and cut the tendon behind
<Ot> Areth-Ven - you scamper down the stairs, heedless of anything but a swift flight. A look over your shoulder reveals the crossbowmen on the wall turning away, presumably to return to the chamber. Nobody has yet emerged from the chamber to follow you.
* Kunetze tries to push one of the Ussik over and get to the Umbril.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan mutters to himself
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> the fools actually plan to fight? well a sad loss but naught I can do
* Tulthan flees for that entrance.
<Ot> The Cog turns to watch to scramble down the stairs, Areth-Ven. As usual, it does nothing.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan continues on though he slows a bit as he approaches the soldier not wanting his fast movement to trigger something in it
* Tulthan takes off towards those stairs.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> once past the cog he continues towards where his comrade dropped his weapons (thinking he dropped his too close to the cog to bother risking it)
<Ot> A crossbow bolt snaps into the stone next to the opening. The lead Ussik shouts something, and the group charges at you with a cry of battle. Areth-Ven, you are now at the bottom of the stairs. Tulthan, you have scrambled out of the entrance and are now at the top of the stairs. Kunetze, you are still in the room?
* Tulthan bolts down the stairs, not bothering to slow down.
<Ot> Kunetze tries to break past the enclosing Ussik, looking for a way out, but there's no way past them. In another second, they are upon you.
* Kunetze bolts for the opening if still possible.
<Ot> You dash for the opening, but it is too late. A saber blade bites your calf and sends you to the floor in a heap. Three of the Ussik loom above you, and hesitate. "Just do it, you miserable scales," cries Neth-Usul. "What am I paying you for?" "She'll never make it out anyway," says one of the Ussik, looking down at you. "We'll have the Umbril, and his lodestone." He clicks his tongue and turns away, towards the entrance. "I've killed enough kin already."
* Tulthan goes for his stashed machete, and tries to find Areth.
[07:21:23 PM] <Kunetze> "Why're you taking orders from this Umbril scum?"
* Kunetze hisses through the pain.
<Ot> The Ussik nod in agreement, and leave you, wounded, on the floor, to continue their pursuit. Neth-Usul fumes and stamps his feet. Tulthan and Areth-Ven - you see figures emerging from above. It seems you are now being followed.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan notices tulthan following
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> ah you do have sense
<Ot> You have both made it to the bottom of the stairs and recovered your weapons. The Cog looks at you, motionless as ever.
<Tulthan> The hell was that?
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan heads for cover
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> the prudent option
<Tulthan> I mean this cousin crap
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan looks at you oddly
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> just an umbril saying
<Tulthan> I see.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan gets into a defensible position and pulls out a hunting bow and nocks an arrow
<Ot> Neth-Usul clenches his tendrils and makes a wheezing hiss in Kunetze's direction. "Worthless dirt-rakers. I'll do it myself." He pulls a leaf-bladed short sword from his belt and begins advancing on you.
* Tulthan steps to the same position and strings up his bow, bringing it into a ready position
* Kunetze scampers outside, hopefully before the Umbril reaches her. She'll attempt to close the opening by pushing the metal rod in the wyrm's mouth.
<Ot> The Ussik fan out and move quite quickly down the stairs.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> let's hope our friends are unfamiliar with soldier cogs
<Ot> Kunetze, you begin to crawl towards the entrance, but it doesn't look like you'll be through in time. Then, you here a voice from behind the Umbril in the chamber - "What in the seven corners is going on? Who's that?" The Ussik stop their descent short when they see the Cog. They look at each other, a bit uneasily. Perhaps noticing that you passed without trouble, however, they renew their descent, weapons drawn. Kunetze - the Umbril turns about. The two Ussik that were on the step above earlier have apparently descended and entered the room from another entrance.
<Kunetze> "You two! Whatever this Umbril's paying you, the Right Orientation Alliance'll double it!"
<Ot> The two Ussik snort and chuckle. "Alliance? What alliance? The war's over, hadn't you heard?" The Umbril now stands above you, sword in hand. It looks over its shoulder at the Ussik. "Just follow the rest of them, already. I want the Umbril dead!"
<Kunetze> "We were forced underground. We've got resources. The militia of Sekah has deep coffers."
<Ot> Tulthan and Areth-Ven - the Ussik continue to descend the stairs. They close to within about 50 feet of the Soldier - and then, slowly, its head swivels to face them.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan stands up and taunts them
* Kunetze slowly backs further towards the entrance as best she can.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> come on then you scaley filth
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan runs as if he is taking off and then once behind cover halts once more in hiding
<Ot> The Soldier spins about in a blur of steel, raises its glaive in the air, and springs towards them like a leaping cat. Before they can even react, it brings its massive blade down upon one of them with so much force that it smashes him to the ground and cracks the stone beneath him. All hell breaks loose on the stairs. The Ussik shout to each other in dismay, lifting their weapons to defend themselves. The Cog swings his glaive underhand and catches one of them under the arm, tearing the limb clean off.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan hearing the combat peaks out and can't help but smile crookedly
<Ot> Another charges at it - and is met by a great steel foot that sends its hurtling down the stairs and crashing into one of the statues. The red mass that is left no longer resembles an Ussik.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> who's the incompetent one now neth you fool
<Kunetze> "Kill this Confederate scum and I can promise you'll be richly rewarded - more than anything he'll pay you for this little cache."
<Ot> The remaining Ussik are now engaged in a desperate melee to save themselves, unaware as they are of the Cog's orders. Nobody is paying attention to Tulthan and Areth-Ven anymore.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan looks at tulthan
<Ot> One of the Ussik (back with Kunetze now) lowers his crossbow, but looks a bit incredulous. "Look at this treasure. It's all ours. What could you possibly offer us?" "What?" Neth-Usul screeches in disbelief. "You're seriously considering this? You are by far the most useless mercenaries I've ever paid!"
<Kunetze> "This treasure's only worth what you can get for it. You think this conniving Umbril bastard's going to give you a fair finder's fee?"
<Ot> "We're splitting it," the Ussik says. "That's the deal."
<Kunetze> "The Righteous Milita of Sekah will get you a better price than anything you'll get in Anath. And two ways is better than three."
<Ot> Back on the stairs, the Ussik - the four of them that are left, one without an arm - are conducting a fighting retreat up the stairs. They are hard-pressed by the Cog but have managed not to lose any more men to it yet.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan creeps up next to tulthan and watches the melee
<Ot> The Cog swings at them relentlessly, heedless to their blows and moving with inexaustible speed. "She's right," says one Ussik to the other. "About the math, I mean." Neth-Usul moves its hand slowly beneath its jacket while the Ussik discuss the offer behind him.
<Kunetze> "Think about it. You've found the treasure; you're doing all the dirty work; you'e got another buyer for this stuff... do you really think an Umbril's going to give you a fair cut? Everyone knows they'd kill their own mothers for a few guild notes."
<Kunetze> "If they had proper mothers, of course..."
<Ot> The Ussik are now fully engaged in a hushed conversation with each other, presumably about the offer. Neth-Usul produces a small tube and stealthily stuffs a dart into it. Its back is to the Ussik, who remain oblivious, and it leers at Kunetze.
* Kunetze Kunetze kicks out hard with her good leg and snarls.
<Ot> Neth-Usul spins about and blows the pipe at the Ussik guards, but Kunetze's foot hooks his leg and the shot goes wide. Almost reflexively, the two Ussik raise and loose their arbalests; Neth-Usul yelps, gurgles, and falls to the floor in a pool of milky blood.
* Kunetze gets to her feet, steadying herself against the wall.
<Ot> One hisses - "That's the last grinner I'm working for." The Ussik on the stairs are now in full flight, with another one of their number down permanently. The two Ussik in the chamber approach Kunetze, and one offers its hand to help her up.
<Kunetze> "We have to move. There's another Umbril outside; he'll be here after the Cog out there stops carving up your friends."
<Ot> The two Ussik nod, a trace of shock crossing their faces when the Cog is mentioned.
* Kunetze picks up Neth-Usul's blade.
<Ot> Both of them scramble through the entrance and now stand at the top of the stairs - you two down below, you can see two more Ussik emerge from the opening above.
<Tulthan> Let the Cog handle them.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> agreed
<Ot> It doesn't look like the Ussik fighting on the stairs will last much longer. They've fought well but are quickly tiring, and the Cog is hardly even scratched. The two Ussik shout back to Kunetze through the opening - "How do we stop it?"
<Kunetze> (to the Ussik) The Cog won't harm you if you're unarmed. Tell your companions to drop their weapons!
<Ot> The Ussik at the top immediately begin shouting to their comrades. "Drop weapons! Drop weapons! It only attacks the armed!"
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well that's the end of our entertainment, though at least without weapons we have a chance
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan pats his bow
<Ot> The Ussik hesitate to do this, and the Cog's glaive spins about and takes one of its legs off in a tall arc of blood. Immediately, they drop their weapons - and the Cog pauses, turns, and slowly proceeds back to its station, as if nothing had happened.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan notices kunetze at the top of the steps
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> it seems something has changed
<Ot> The two Ussik at the top of the stairs drop their weapons and rush to the aid of their friends.
<Tulthan> You don't say.
* Kunetze heads down with the Ussik.
<Ot> They begin shredding their clothes to make bandanges - two of them, missing an arm and a leg respectively, are bleeding profusely.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan looks at tulthan, no contempt in his eyes for a change
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well I have no idea, any suggestions
<Tulthan> Prisoners, for one. Though finding out what happened to that mushroom would be nice.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> indeed
* Kunetze carefully keeps her distance from the Soldier Cog - she still has the blade in her hand.
<Ot> The Ussik, though not surgeons, are no strangers to battlefield medicine, and proceed quickly and calmly to assist their friends. Soon, the bleeding is stopped, though the armless one is quite motionless. The three that aren't harmed begin carrying them back up towards the chamber.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> so then we step out and see what happens or we simply walk away
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan pats his pack where he still carries gear and the lodestone
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> we could make it safely, though I hate deeply to leave empty handed
<Ot> The Ussik are now moving through the opening with their wounded. They nod wordlessly to Kunetze as they pass.
<Tulthan> I'm not going up there with them without weapons unless they're down here without them. And even then. There's no saying how badly mashed we'd get trying to bring stuff back down, even unarmed.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan grins
<Tulthan> Though, I do want to know how the hell they got in there in the first place.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> ah a victory, and yet it feels so much like a loss
<Kunetze> "We need to get this stuff packed up and get out of here - however it was you got in here in the first place. Look, I'm going to deal with the Umbril out there. You work on getting everything ready to move out of here."
<Ot> One of the Ussik turns from the wounded, now laid on the ground, and nods his assent. "Khautas. Dropped right down on top of this thing. I wasn't sure they'd hold the treasure... but with the Umbril and his trash gone, should be a bit easier."
* Kunetze heads down the stairs, unarmed
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan sees Kunetze and stands up out of cover
* Tulthan stays in cover.
<Kunetze> Areth; Tulthan. Bit of a change of plan. I'm afraid I hadn't been totally upfront with you about the reason I came along.
<Tulthan> Oh?
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan steps forward, bow held loosely at his side, arrow put away for now
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> do explain
<Kunetze> These artifacts... they belong with my people. The Ussiks have agreed to help me take them back. But there's not enough of them to carry all of it. I propose a compromise: we take what we can carry, and you can have the rest. No more blood gets spilled, and everyone walks away.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> and what of our umbril friend up top, what does he have to say to that
<Kunetze> Dead.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> tsk tsk, I shall come dance on his grave before I leave
<Kunetze> My proposition is... amenable, I take it?
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well I don't see much choice but to accept your proposal
<Tulthan> Hm
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> your friends can't attack us with the cog here, but neither could we assault you
<Ot> One of the Ussik re-appears through the opening above.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> we have an agreement then?
<Ot> He begins walking down the steps towards you.
* Kunetze turns to meet him.
<Ot> He stops short of the Cog, squinting at it uneasily.
* Kunetze turns back to Areth-Ven
<Ot> "My folk will recover - those two, at least. We'll need another hour to prepare the smokeships."
<Kunetze> An agreement. Wait here; we'll be on our way shortly.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan smiles at kunetze
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> you have a resourceful mind
<Kunetze> something I'm sure an Umbril can appreciate.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> if ever you are in Inembran please stop by for tea
* Kunetze favors Areth-Ven with a toothy expression that might be a smile.
<Ot> "Umbril," says the Ussik.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> yes but not the same as that scum that you offed
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan cackles
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> my thanks for that
<Ot> "The bargain you've got here - I'd appreciate it if you'd add my own request to that."
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> oh?
<Ot> "Bad form to kill an employer. Don't tell anyone your friend died at our hands, and I - and the League - will take it as a favor."
<Ot> "Say you killed him, or the Cog. I Don't care."
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan looks at him coyly
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> My good ussik I don't know what you mean. I clearly saw that fool run past that cog wielding a dagger... stupid way to die
<Ot> The Ussik nods with a mixture of appreciation and... a bit of distaste. "Right." He turns to Kunetze. "Be at the top in an hour - or better yet, help us pack up that shiny kit. Fewer hands we've got, now."
<Ot> He begins ascending the stairs, glancing once back at the bodies of his friends.
* Areth-Ven_Ilfan bids his former partner goodbye and heads back to tulthan
<Kunetze> Wise decision, Areth-Ven. Tulthan. It's been a pleasure.
* Kunetze heads back up the stairs.
<Areth-Ven_Ilfan> well shall we have some food before we take our share
<Ot> Among it all, the Cog stands serenely and motionlessly - and spattered in a great deal of blood. It's likely going to be here for a while.[/ic]
Hope you all enjoy, we had a great time and it ended up going on for almost 4 hours.