A Secret in Merkabah
It's unlikely. You know that going in, of course, that anything to do with the Shards of Animus would be in Merkabah, but the thought is that it's a place of such latent significance and power that one of them might have been drawn to it. Surely, it could explain why it remains active after all this time? But a chance is not the same thing as even close to a certainty, and the fabled flying fortress of the Kulthians, used by the Illuminated Order in their attack oin the city so many years ago, is not exactly a small place. Griva Brassbringer, upon hearing the Guild was funding this mission, volunteered to accompany it. Atl east to the exterior. Further, if people are comfortable with it. ... which is whre you're arriving now. A distance from the flying fortress, where the Alexandrian military haws set up a fort to keep watch over the area overlooking the remnants that nature has failed to truly even begin to retake. "I've seen it from afar by faqr," says Griva, "But this is the closest I've ever seen. Truly, the powers the Kulthians had aqt their disposal wre terrifying."
Stirling looks out to the floating fortress, mentally recounting every last gadget he has on his belt to deal with all manner of issues and all the ways he might be called on to use them. He has seen his share of ancient Kulthian tech, knows it better than most perhaps but this is a new experience for him. What kind of artifice horrors will they face? Of course he doesn't communicate any of this, instead responding to the question: "Yup"
Seldan, for once fully armed and armored and in full adventuring kit, stands to the port side of the bow, watching as the behemoth comes closer, sturdy adventurer's cloak over the silken, enchanted one fluttering in the breeze. He, too, has never seen this before, his eyes wide as he takes in the ruined splendor that has been the cause of so much suffering. "Terrifying indeed. Who knows what they might have wrought, had they turned such power to the welfare of all instead of selfishness and arrogance?"
"Terrifying enough that whatever remains should be destroyed," the Dire Wolf rumbles as she lumbers along. She has several reasons for venturing here, and the alleged remnants of a fallen deity is but one.
Aurala hasn't been seen in some time. Having just returned from her homeland on some family related quest, she heard about the mission and decided to tag along. The large dragon disciple looks at the others in turn as she walks along and then stares at the remains that they have come to search, "not a quick search I would think." she says and chuckles a bit.
Morgan is giddy that she gets a chance to encounter something like this "So Much to learn tonight." she holds a empty book in her hand for notes to be taken.
Checking inventory is prudent. This Toha sets herself to doing one last time as they close to the fallen city. It doesn't take long, as most of her gear is built in. "Not everything they built was black tech." The construct shrugs rather fluidly, considering, "Wouldn't be practical."
Stirling grunts "Its all just tools, no different from regular magic." he checks the chamber of his enormous deathray once more before resting it on his shoulder. "Just keep your wits about you and everything will probably be fine.
Merek wears what looks to be the dark attire he often does with that scarf while he nods a bit to people, taking a cigarette to light. "Alright, we'll look into what we can," the man notes, then he begins to chant while he draws a magical power along himself.
GAME: Merek casts Overland Flight. Caster Level: 11 DC: 20
"Not everything, no, but Kulthian civiization was built into the service of its great lords and their drive towards ... something that brought the wrath of the Gods down on them." Griva shrugs her shoulders. "I've always wanted to visit, but I've never had the chance to do so. Too dangerous. I can think of no finer company to travel in than this one." The ruins greatq, blackened spires and crumbling towers lay beore you, a wreckage of twisted metals, stones, and steel. The way before you lays open as the guards watch with worried interest. "Constructs still occasionally patrol the exteriror," explains one of the guards, "So take care. We keep our distance. The fortress is still ... partially active at times."
Morgan looks to the group "do becareful with what you touch, some strange magic is all here. Even a comb can cause problem."
Aurala has gotten quiet. She is either just brooding, or maybe just doesn't really have anything profound to say.
Dire Wolf's concerns are not allayed, though she mentions nothing further of that for the moment. She focuses her attention outward, predominantly forward. "Best to touch nothing."
"Quiet may also behoove us, unless there be real need," Seldan agrees, picking up the beaten haversack of brown leather at his feet and preparing to begin their journey. She looks briefly at Aurala, measuringly perhaps, but says nothing. "I doubt that I shall be silent," a sudden grin acknowledges the fact that he wears full plate, "and yet would I not shout word of my presence to the winds."
Toha gives a little toss of her head, with a jovial little, "Did my hair before we left." back toward Morgan. A glance to Seldan as he speaks and she nods, "Be quiet as I can."
Serene, on foot, is trailed by her griffon.. both armed, armoured and equipped for a possible extended stay within the ruins. While the others offer their warnings, insight and opinions she takes the time to check first over the buckles securing Silver's mail barding and saddle, then she secures one bladed gauntlet upon her right hand before securing her shield. "I trust everyone here is seasoned enough to have a little bit of wisdom as we delve into this altar to hubris. So unless there are further preparations to make, I suggest we be about it."
"Hubriskabah," says Griva to Sernee, a little smile playing across the greying-haired dwarven woman's face. She smooths her dress and then slings her own pack over her shoulder. "If you need anything, the storage here at the fort is quite extensive, I saw to it."
Several of the adventurers avail themselves of the available stock of potions.
Merek nods a bit to Serene at the suggestion of making their way while people buy things.
Seldan glances over at Serene at her assertion of being seasoned enough to have wisdom, his gaze steady, but he says nothing, merely setting about acquiring a few items for their journey from the fort, before they go. Once he is done, and coin has changed hands, he hefts his bag again, and waits for the others.
And so off you are. It's time to be on the move towards the floating fortress, of course, and crossing through the devestated, undergrown grass that fills the lengthy field towards it is a slow process. Not slow because of any particular dangers, but slow because of the precautions necessary in its approach. There's a large gap in the fortress wall that will allow you to slip inside, and so far, there appears to be not sign of trouble. So... far.
Stirling watches the walls as they enter through the gap, his artificial eye unblinking as it looks over the structures and architecture, ready for trouble but also looking for clues abouthow everything is built.
"Most everyone has some wisdom, but differing opinions on what is or isn't wise," the large lupine notes. "Do any have wisdom to share on what is sought here?" She keeps her voice to a low rumble as they near the breach, eyes and ears alert.
True to his word, Seldan in his armor is not exactly quiet, but neither does he chatter endlessly, making his way towards the breach beneath overcast skies without real comment. To the question of knowing waht lies inside, he shakes his head. "I am not an expert on the matter of Kulthians."
Griva follows along, quarterstaff in hand. "For my part, a theory to test. There is a hope that the Shards of Animus might've been drawn to places with magical significance. You can't get more significant to local history, in some ways, than Merkabah." She glances towards the wolf, giving them a nod. "GRiva Brassbringer, by the way, a representative of the Resurectionists. For those that don't know e. Also, I do wizardly things." She seems at ease with all of this, but then, she's probably quite experienced if the scuttlebutt is to be believed.
GAME: Toha rolls craft/artifice: (19)+16: 35
"Expect the fortress to defend itself, and expect it to do it intelligently," Serene advises, pausing at the breach to allow anyone self designating as a scout to preceed. "It does not forgive mistakes and it punishes curiosity."
Morgan says as she looks to the wall "there is not much to say besides it was used to attack Alesandria 16 years ago. I even seen the blast with the spell cannon from the farm I lived at. But I know some people here can tell us more." she looks at Serene.
Merek walks along into the wall with the party, nodding a little bit while he takes a draw from that cigarette in thought. He does look to folk, then looks to the Kulthian aspect tattoos on his arms, thinking about it a little bit.
Toha does her best to be quiet as well, though, there are nontheless things that will rattle now and then despite her efforts. She looks around, her greatblade in hand, "I suspect multiple redundant subsystems. Some level of coordination, but powered independant of each other. If any animals came through the breach and tripped something, look for place the dust ain't as thick as elsewhere, means it probably moves." She scanes the corners, then continues, "Certain gemstomes could be channels fer death rays. Let's move slow, follow the leader's footsteps."
Dire Wolf snorts, mostly clearing her nose for fresh scents. "Do not be curious and make no mistakes, then all will be well," she states the obvious inference from Serene's words. There may or may not be sarcasm present. "Ea's creatures would not come here unless crazed or starved." This may say something of her and her companions.
Aurala just moves along with the others. She really doesn't have much to add, and for the most part she feels being quiet is the better way to go. She is keeping her eyes and senses focused for anything that might jump out at them or try to suprise them.
Seldan has nothing to say, listening closely to the words of those knowledgeable about Artifice - he certainly isn't. At his hip, though, the voice of a crotchety oold man pipes up. "Where _are_ we?"
"Merkabah Fortress, Kanian," Seldan answers, very low. "Peace for now. This place is not safe."
Stirling grunts "Not any different from any hostile place. Toha has a good read on the dangers though. If anything lights up let us know. If anything moves in a suspicious way... hell if anything doesn't move and looks like it should." he adds with his deathray in hand, clearly ready for anything that comes out.
Morgan says softly "well we all need to enter and look for the shard. I have a feeling it will be a long fight. I so hope there are no golems in there.... fuck there will be in there I know it."
Toha continues looking about as they go, scanning the walls, the floors, and, as she suggested, making a point of putting her feet where she saw the person before her put their feet.
GAME: Stirling casts Shield. Caster Level: 16 DC: 17 GAME: Serene casts Greater Magic Weapon. Caster Level: 20 DC: 25 GAME: Serene casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 20 DC: 25 GAME: Dire Wolf casts Barkskin. Caster Level: 18 DC: 18
Serene gazes within the fortress for a moment longer... then chants a few words to lay a temporary enchantment upon her shield as she straps it to her arm. Then she turns and does likewise for Toha, afterwards noting to the golem, "This should offer you some protection.. and those near you." She doesn't explain why she picked Toha out of everyone present, and instead turns to face ahead and continue forward.
Morgan follows the group letting others to walk over first. She gives a look of being elated as this is something shes wanted to do for many years and now she has the power to do so.
"Good thing I brought an invisiblity sphere, hm?" says Griva, winking at Serene before casting a spell. "IF you stay close to me, we should be able to proceed unseen for the next, I don't know, 15 minutes? Enough to get inside and take stock of the interior without being *immediately* noticed by things reliant on eyesight." She then profeeds to cast her spell, as you draw upon the fortress, winking from sight from those not immediately closer to her. Those that are find themselves invcisible too.
Merek nods a bit while he follows along, content to look about in the place while he thinks on it, "Well, this place brings back memories," the man notes.
Aurala moves to stick close to the sphere and invisibility if needed, as she keeps her eyes open for surprises.
Stirling gladly walks in the invisibility bubble, ready for trouble as he always is and looking for any peculiur looking artifice that may help the cuase.
Dire Wolf watches as others cease to be watchable and lumbers towards where they no longer appear to be. She would possibly exclude most or all in attempting to stand near enough and decreases sharply in mass as she does to make travel far less crowded.
Dire Wolf ripples and shifts into the form of a tiny white-furred rat.
Toha nods, a slight camber to he rhead, "Okay... thank you?" she returns on Serene's blessing, and tries to note any particular looking doodads to puzzle over later.
Morgan keeps looking around "So much to study I hope we dont blow this place up when we are done. The stuf here could help advance magic that could help the world."
"The last ones who thought that destroyed themselves," comes a squeaking reminder of history from near Morgan's feet.
Stirling nods to Morgan "Definitely, there is a lot that can be learned here. Both practical and dangerous. But judicious wisdom does need to be used with what is learned. Though reaching the powers they used to is much more difficult than it used to be." he notes with a shrug, implying he has tried a little.
Serene, grim looking as always, refrains from offering an opinion on the 'should we, should we not' discussion regarding magic and its advancements. Instead she keeps her efforts on remaining vigilant, watching for anything that might seem like it is out of place in a long dead ruin... however much bight be able to be considered 'out of place' in a place such as this. Her sword remains undrawn, leaving her hand free should she need it.
Seldan, too, is silent, letting the others talk. The spell settles over him, and he blinks, but rather than ruin the effect, he remains silent, using the voices of the others to approximate their locations as they move forward into the fortress.
"That is possible, but no Black Tech, that stuff can never be used for good," Merek notes.
Morgan says "if we do find a libary or any books lets take them all." she looks at her haversack "oh you will be filled tonight."
In you go, stepping through the ruined gaps in the walls, making your way into a place of both ancient and modern activity. Almost immediately, you see the skeletal remains on the ground of individuals who once dwelled here, violently killed in the crash. Collapsed walls pinned them to the ground, leaving only some of their remains exposed, only bits of metal intertwined with them, no doubt the cultists of the Illuminated Order who operated this place against Alexandria before it was shot down. Vines withered and grasping hang from the ceiling, and passage ways leading deeper within the fortress are visible. In the distance, you can hearq the occasional thrumming sounds, indicating that something within the fortress is, at least, occasionally active. Pushing forward, you have multiple ways you can go, but oinly one of them really seems to be heading *deeper* inside, the others running along the exterior walls.
GAME: Seldan rolls perception: (9)+6: 15 GAME: Serene rolls perception: (10)+25: 35 GAME: Aurala rolls perception: (8)+19: 27 GAME: Stirling rolls perception: (13)+19: 32 GAME: Merek rolls perception: (2)+25: 27 GAME: Morgan rolls perception: (2)+17: 19 GAME: Rat rolls perception: (16)+27: 43 GAME: Toha rolls perception: (14)+13: 27
Merek looks between the party while he would take a moment to look to the place in full, "I think we should explore the wall exterior, it seems like that's where it's coming from," the man notes, while he takes a moment to kneel and offer supplication for the bodies of the people. Then he stands up.
Serene holds up a hand, a request to pause both motion and words as she tilts her head slightly... listening for something. Another look at the passage choices has her turn to her griffon. It was already a tight squeeze for him, so with a word she has him turning about.. retreating back to the breach in the walls to await everyone's return. Then she nods to Merek's suggestion. "I agree."
Toha continues to scan about, though she's left the conversation behind for now.
Stirling nods "As good as anything. I havn't noticed anything else to give us a direction." he notes as he agrees with the other two.
Aurala nods her head a bit, "So we head to that ...vibration?" she says softly.
Rat is not thrilled by the unnatural thrumming. Not that she is delighted by the wreckage nor much anything else of this place. "It is a sign of ... activity." Whether it is something they should seek or avoid, it appears the only sign of -something-.
"It's fine by me," says Griva, "if we're sensing activity by all means investigate it, but there's no garauntee that going one way will take us actually /close/ to it. There may be many twists and turns before we get there, to say nothing of threat..." She brings her staff closer to her, leaning into it casually. The head of it sparkles.
"You may very well be correct," Serene tells Griva. "However, lacking any other information... heading towards the sound remains more likely than walking away from it. And as a sign of activity... it makes more sense to investigate it than to assume it has nothing to do with what we seek."
Merek nods a bit to people, while he would take a moment to adjust that scarf while walking to the wall exterior.
...down the way, then, towar ds the thrumming. You pass into a passageway -- more properly a hallway that's got enough space in it for two people to walk comfortably side by side. You're making your way down it, stopping to check the mangled steel doors to see if they open en route, revealing the working interior of Merkabah. Meeting rooms, work stations of some kind... The remannts of shattered artifice is everywhere, but yyou're beginning to notice a not ionconsiderable amount of it has been stripped by mercenaries over the years who've braved the interior and survived... ... or did they? It's hard to say. What, especially with the bizarre array of crawling spiders made of metalq that have just *swarmed* the ceiling, stopping for a moment to study you, as if their eyes can pierce the invisiblity. .. or can they? Might be a good time to hold your breath.