Chapter 2: New Beginnings

[Tshern]

"This unit was promised a passage out and a group to show the way. The Mistress is dead, thus no further commands exist."

After considering his options for a moment, the droid continues "I used to act as a database, bookkeeper and calculator for my Mistress. Additionally, I have some self-defense protocols installed by my Mistress. Should you be in need of such talents, perhaps we could assist each other."

[Nanshork]

Tetch projects his telepathy at the automaton.  "What is your name?"

[Tshern]

Answering out loud, the automaton replies "When my Mistress extended me the courtesy of a name, she referred to me as Crux. Those were rare events, her days passed mostly in solitary contemplation, recalculating her wealth or crafting theories regarding the future. If you deem it appropriate, you could announce your name to be imprinted in my database to avoid future confusion."

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"Crux should do, if nobody objects. Now that we've got him, let's get out before our welcome is pushed, and question him outside."

[Tshern]

"One of my primary purposes used to be dispensing information. Once outside, you may take advantage of this part of my programming," Crux said, his voice as neutral and colourless as ever.

[Funk]

"Yeah yeah, just hurry it up will ya?" Xar says while sheathing his sword, displeasure clear on his face. He moves back towards the entrance, muttering to himself. "...'ardly worth drawin' me sword for that, waste o' bloody time..."

[Nanshork]

"Come then, let us leave.  We have gotten as much here as we will be able to."  Cujo trots back towards the entrance.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Tash leads, having been moving away from this eery-ass place the entire time.

[phaedrusxy]

No one said anything about sneaking, and IIRC at least one of you has a light source. So I'm going to roll with it under those assumptions.

As you enter the cavern where the ant-men had been running their bucket-brigade (they are no longer here), you see just entering the same cavern on the other side a trio of unfamiliar faces. A short woman, at best coming up to most of your waists, and adorned in a white robe with a set of gold-rimmed spectacles sitting on her face, is accompanied by two muscular albino humanoids with tusks. The two albinos look identical, and both have their long white hair hanging in many, long thing braids from their heads, making it look sort of like a mass of wires. Each wields a long spear-type weapon with a hook on the end of it.

Their lips pull back into a mocking sneer at the sight of you, and the small woman standing just behind them says "Oh, so who have here?" Then seeing Cyrus' glowing eyes and blade she says "Ah, a group of lost exiles. I might have known that fool Centarus would have fallen to such rabble. Give me his Spellkey* and I'll consider letting you live." Her voice is louder than you'd expect from her size, and her tone is one of someone used to not being questioned.

(click to show/hide)

A Spellkey is the focus which lets state-sanctioned magic users cast their spells. Even though they are attuned to each individual, and not useable by anyone else, they are still jealously guarded by the State, presumably in fear that someone will reverse engineer them.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"We're roaming about a cave, and you think they gave us a spellkey? Think about that one again.

"We don't have one, and aside from antmen and burnt ruins, this cave is a bust. Which is bad for us scavengers. Mind letting us get on our merry?" He tries to sound as casual as possible while still sounding amiable; even as he tried, being tired and irritable after fighting leaked through in his voice. The woman was obviously high strung, and even though they outnumbered the small band, that was usually bad news for the larger group.

(click to show/hide)

Diplomacy: 13 to improve standing -_-

Can I make a knowledge (local) check to see if I know who they are or who they are talking about?

[Tshern]

(click to show/hide)

I second the question regarding the Knowledge check. Any category will do.

[Tshern]

The warforged looks at the newcomers, wondering their enthusiasm regarding the spellkey, and then says "It is my understanding that the standard legal practice does not entitle you to take the item without proper authorisation. Do you have the necessary credentials?"

[phaedrusxy]

At first the short woman looks annoyed, but then her eyes widen as she takes a closer look at the speaker. She says with clear astonishment "You have a sentient automaton of pre-cataclysmic design! I tell you what, give it to me, and not only will I let you live, but I'll even do what I can to help you. What do you need? Food? Medical supplies?"

Upon hearing this, the two albino warriors exchange a suspicious glance with each other which the gnome seems oblivious to.

[Nanshork]

Tetch keeps his presence hidden letting Cujo seem like a "normal" dog.

[Funk]

Xar looks at Crux, then back to the small woman. "Well you sure changed yer tone swift enough." He mutters as he steps forward, sword rested casually on his shoulders.
"Well look 'ere, missy. I can't talk fer me mates 'ere, but I ain't one fer listenin' to your sort. See me, I'd rather 'ave them supplies you're promisin' and keep old rusty 'ere. Don't see why not, eh?" He looks around at the others. "Course, like I say; I ain't talkin' fer me mates 'ere."

[phaedrusxy]

As Xar steps forward, the orcs raise their polearms towards him menacingly, and the gnome smiles and says "I'm not sure why I expected to reason with unreasonable persons. Very well, try not to damage the metal one too much, boys!"

Roll initiative

[phaedrusxy]

No sooner have the words made it out of her mouth than she's chanting in a strange tongue that you know can't be good for you... Then where she once stood there are now 5 gnomes.

I made an encounter thread. Let's continue this there.