Humanufacted Nethercite
There is a great deal of interest as adventurers have been reported to be going into Merkabah. Not even entirely from Artificers, either. "Take this container," the party is told by an elderly wizard, Grae the sand elf, who holds a literal black box. "It is made to allow the safe transport of nethercite. I am led to believe that an artificer by the name of Babunis was working on a device called a Necrohol. Its purpose was to produce humanufacted Nethercite."
Grae then puts odwn the box for the party to take, and pulls out a parchment. "I have sketched her the approximate location of Babunis's laboratory. Move lightly. The city is dangerous, and this science is not worth your lives. Scrapes? Yes. Lives, no. Any questions?"
Ezil stares at Grae, but then with a blink he looks to the rest of the party he's found himself with. "Did any of you get that?" he asks, a darting glance shot to each. "I heard words, but I don't think I know what any of it means. Humanufacted? Is that... like... made to look like humans?" shaking his head. "And nethercite? That's anti-magic stuffs?" puzzling out Grae's words.
Nels is trying to keep track of the details, too, but he is not a detail goblin. Or, in fact, a goblin at all just at the moment. Or a he, just at the moment, either. She does try and keep up, though, and checks to make sure, "So, uh, we're supposed to take the nethercite from this Babunis fellow, who made it with a Necrohol?
"Ah! Yes, yes!" A voice comes from just the back of the group, with a cloth-wrapped hand raised up high, not too much unlike a child in class. "I have a question!" And the hand is given an enthusiastic side to side wave, too.
The one with his hand raised up would be the dual-scarved Zant, smile bright in spite of this particular situation presented to the group. "What nethercite?"
Oh boy.
There is a tall Mul'niessa man as a member of the party. He has many rings of silver and cyrstal adorning his ears and his black hair is bound back into a long trailing braid that is entertwined with a red ribbon. His black and silver clothes only emphasize his dark skin. This is not then, a mul'niessa in hiding. He takes the scroll that has the aproximate loaction on it and studdies it a little bit. "Then we do not know the exact location of the laboratory? Is there anything that will inform us that we have found the correct location?"
Sand elf the Grae.. er, Grae the sand elf snaps his fingers. "Made by a human, not made to appear as a human. Nethercite, which does dampen magic, is normally made on elemental planes. But Babunis was making some himself. Cheeky human. I want to see it, what he made, if it actually exists. No exact location. It was a while ago."
Ezil nods his head slowly, looking to the Mul'niessa with the scroll-map. "I don't much know about these things, but I will help transport and protect." pausing. "Do we know what these materials look like?
Nels smirks at Ezil and says, "Yeah, this is all new to me, too. Hopefully we can find this fellow and he'll give up some stuff to us." To Grae, he asks, "What do we do if he won't give us some of the stuff? Like, shoot him? Or steal it when he's not looking? I take it you're hiring us 'cause you can't just go and ask?"
Daechir frowns at Nels, eyeing the woman with his red eyes. "We are not going to shoot anyone for refusing to give us something that belongs to them. He's likely hiring us because it's a dangerous location to go /into/. But given the fact that this happened in the past - a long time ago according to Grae... This Babunis is not likely to be around to be bothered if we take some of their research." Daed's eyes fall on the sand elf in question. "Is that correct?"
Grae sits down. "Nethercite is like Magicite, but... dark. Magicite glows in a beautiful way, unlike most any other substance. Netherice... makes things darker. You will know it when you see it. Any of you that use magic, will feel it when you see it. Know that it mostly comes from the Plane of Earth so... that also should inform its appearance. As for Babunis, he died 10 years ago. He was only 90. Such a shame, human lifespans. He had only begun."
"And I imagine we're not going to steal anything from anyone either," Zant chimes in after Daechir', though his tone is still much more cheerful. ...Nevermind that it lowers a bit when Grae mentions the current state of Babunis. "...E-... except from the dead, technically...?"
Ezil nods slowly, listening as the others discuss this. He takes a back-seat to the discussion as he has already stated his intent to help, and how. It's above his level of comprehension, but that's okay.
Nels can only shrug to Daechir. "This is why I'm asking, y'know?" But she ohs about him being long gone, 10 years is a long time for goblins, and she nods slowly, "I guess that does make more sense." She grumbles about living to 90. Herself, she's unlikely to see half that. Unfair!
Daed nods again, this time lower to Grae. "Understood. If those with magical predisposition are inclined to sense its presence then I should be able to tell once we near where we are headed." He pockets the scroll with the directions but keeps an eye on Nels. "I think that answers all the questions I have. I appreciate your patience."
GAME: Daechir rolls perception: (17)+3: 20
GAME: Nels rolls perception: (16)+7: 23
GAME: Zant rolls perception: (6)+13: 19
GAME: Ezil rolls perception: (16)+2: 18
Grae waves the party on, and the group makes its way out of Alexandria, and toward the ruins of Merkabah. Impressively, the party is able to make keen observations, lining up the information from the pre-ruin map, with the current ruined state of that particular corner of the city. And so, the group stands on a pile of rubble that was once a city wall, over looking various smashed buildings representing what the map says is the Dalmas Quarter. However... there is a dark, still pool between you and where you think the Necrohol must be, with no clear path around.
Nels is pretty good at navigating ruins. "This place looks a bit like my room at the inn," she comments by way of explanation as she looks for a way to proceed. "I don't guess any of you fly?" she wonders. "The rubble looks ... tricky and unclimbable."
"Before or after the explosion, Nels?" Ezil teases, looking at the rubble and the strange pool that blocks their path. "I don't like this much already. Stagnant water has killed many a traveler." he notes, letting out a soft sigh. "Be on guard, I have heard the city is nasty. We know not what lurks."
Crimson eyes settle on the dark pool and the mul'niessa man shakes his head at the sight of the obvious path forward. "Better unstable ruin than a pool that one can not see through. I would be very surprised to find out that no dangerous creatures call that water home. Much less what might try to ambush us while we are trying to swim." Daed looks to have little interest in stepping into the black water. "What say you all?"
"MMm... I can't fly, per se..." Zant murmurs thoughtfully, with his lips pursed up and arms folded together over his chest. "I might be able to clear it by jumping, but that wouldn't help in getting the rest of you over..." His finger goes up to scratch at his cheek, and he peeks over to the mul'niessa. "Sure... but what if it collapses on us all?"
Nels rolls her eyes at Ezil, but the point is taken. She suggests, "Maybe we can do like a controlled landslide to make the hills less ... perilous?" she suggests.
Daechir considers for a moment, but Nels' suggestion brings a dark light to his crimson eyes. "Yes, a controlled landslide might do it. Or several small ones. It would draw attention, but it would be safer than some of the alternitives." He looks over at the one-time goblin. "Any suggestions as to how to go about setting off the landslides?"
Ezil eyes that water, taking up a piece of stone. "Anyone mind?" making a pitching motion, but not letting the rock loose. "Often causing ripples can tell you a lot. We can have some be on guard, while others work on clearing a path. The object is to meet our foes on even ground if they come." seeming to not trust the liquid. "I'll do what needs be done, but your ideas are as good as mine. Probably better."
Nels pulls a small horn from his ammo bag, and he says to the others, "I can maybe set a small charge of explosive that might jar some of the unstable bits loose?" he suggests. "We could toss it upslope, so it slowly levels the heap?"
The mul nods to Ezil's idea. "A wise precaution before we begin blowing things up. If there is something in there, perhaps it might be lured out." He makes a motion for Ezil to throw the rock. Then nods as well to Nels.
Ezil smiles wide as someone seems to agree with his idea, lobbing the rock into the water's murky darkness. He waits, and watches silently while the others go about their tasks. Maybe something will happen, maybe not.
Nels will frantically load her gun as the plan is devised, and she will crouch behind some cover and hold her dragonspitter ready. "I definitely don't want to be surprised. That lake looks mean," she observes.
"Guuu..." Zant just seems to grow looking more concerned by the second as the plan for controlled detonation is set into place. "Why do I feel like we're about to get a whole lot of debris on top of us...?" Well, it's not like he has any better plan. "Just... Uh... Maybe be ready to run, everyone? Just in case?"
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Zapolklnex has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Zapolklnex to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
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GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 22.
It is now Daechir's turn! Ezil is next!
The rock lobbed into the water makes a blip. And then there's a LOT more splashing than there should be. Something has crawled out of the water. It's... scaly, large, and oddly enough, translucent. And running toward the party.
GAME: Daechir casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 16
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 16.
It is now Ezil's turn! Baddy is next!
Daechir was unsurprised when the water erupted into motion. Quickly the mul'niessa man stepped backwards, fingers shifting out in front of himself and a few arcane words flowing from his lips. Red light enveoloped his body briefly, flashing to life and then dying in an instant, but he knew that the arcane protection was there should he need it. Looking at the creature that they faced, he felt certain that he would.
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 11.
It is now Baddy's turn! Nels is next!
The baddy continues to scurry along the ground, and closes within 40 feet.
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 7.
It is now Nels' turn! Zant is next!
Ezil does not run from the emerging creature, but he bunkers down in place. Shield is thrown onto his arm, and his scimitar drawn as he prepares for battle. "We caught one!" calling with a smirk, despite the abrupt attack.
GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27
GAME: Nels rolls 1d10: (8): 8
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 7.
It is now Zant's turn! Daechir is next!
Nels acks as the splashed water brings forth a monster. Who even knows what it is? Nels is a one trick pony, though, and when it gets into range, she fires the dragonspitter. A gout of flame and a puff of smoke mark her position as the lead ball slams into the target. She's hardly paying attention to the impact of her shot, already clearing the barrel and pouring fresh powder into the muzzle of her weapon.
GAME: Zant rolls weapon0: (8)+13: 21
GAME: Zant rolls 1d8+11: (2)+11: 13
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 22.
It is now Daechir's turn! Ezil is next!
GAME: Daechir casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 3 DC: 16
GAME: Daechir rolls 2d4+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 16.
It is now Ezil's turn! Baddy is next!
"Whyyyy!" Zant whines out at the sudden appearance of LAKE MONSTER! "Ah, sheesh! Fine!" He's pretty prompt to get his shit together again, however, and launches himself forward in a speeding blur, lowering his posture down at the apex of the motion to carry his fist into the monster's snoot. BAM!
Daechir moves in closer, readying himself for the shift in tactics that is about to come, but for now he weaves his hands again, arcane words crawling along the edges of his lips until a pair of magic missiles flash forth from his fingers and bury themselves into the being that came forth from the water.
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 11.
It is now Baddy's turn! Nels is next!
GAME: Zapolklnex rolls 1d20+12: (4)+12: 16
Baddy opens wide, trying to bite at Zant, and completely misses. Really embarrassing.
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 7.
It is now Nels' turn! Zant is next!
Ezil moves cautiously, his feet carrying him with his shield thrust out for it's defense. He positions himself between the beast and Zant so that the two are now flanking their wild and watery foe. "We're lucky it was only one. Lucky no one fell in." he notes during the tussle, finally positioning himself where he likes.
GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+11: (1)+11: 12 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 7.
It is now Zant's turn! Daechir is next!
Nels loads another round into her thunderbelcher, draws a bead, and then scoots a bit closer since it's now tied up in melee. She shoulders her weapon and gives it another round. A thundering report echoes as she fires, but the frantic shot is wide. Her fingers work frantically to prepare her weapon to fire again. "Sorry about that!" she calls.
GAME: Zant rolls weapon+0: (1)+0+0: 1 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Zant rolls weapon0: (14)+13: 27
GAME: Zant rolls weapon0: (15)+13: 28
GAME: Zant rolls weapon0-5: (2)+13+-5: 10
GAME: Zant rolls 1d8+11: (1)+11: 12
GAME: Zant rolls 1d8+8: (4)+8: 12
GAME: Zant rolls 2d6: (10): 10
GAME: Zapolklnex removes the timestop.
Timestop by Zapolklnex has left.
"Okay so you were absolutely right about the la-WAH!" Zant's words are cut off when a massive snakehead lunges right for him, and he just barely sidesteps out of the way-- the skin of his face grown briefly paler from the realization that he just nearly got chomped up.
The stumbling evasive motion is brought to a stop with a stomp of one foot to the ground, as the young man clenches both fists tightly, pointed upwards at his sides while he roars out an unverbal sound of focus. Glowing light emenates from within his arms and legs both, bright enough that it can be seen even through the fabric of his clothes-- and leaving an incandescent afterglow into the motion of a furious punch and a follow-up spinning kick pummeling into the snake; the kick's force ending up slamming the beast over onto it's side.
Nels gahs as the snake thing is killed, and says, "You see, this is why we don't throw things in the water. Even halflings know that." She shakes her head, and looks on from her position well out of the fight. "So, you still think we can topple some of the debris and make it more climbable? Plan B is someone swims the lake with a rope and we rig a rope bridge. But it won't be me."
"ArenGAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 10.
It is now Ezil's turn! Crystalline Entity is next!
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 8.
It is now Crystalline Entity's turn! Daechir is next!
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 4.
It is now Daechir's turn! Nels is next!
Ezil looks to Nels and nods to himself, turning to unstrap his shield, and move towards the rubble they climbed. With a subtle toss, he lets it land with a bit of noise. A short-bow taken from where it peeked from under his cloak. "I hate this place already." he notes, switching his weapons.
The ooze continues to chase with all its might. It's not completely in front of the doorway now, and continuing to follow, even if completely outmached in speed.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 14.
It is now Nels' turn! Ezil is next!
GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+11: (2)+11: 13
GAME: Nels rolls 1d10+1: (6)+1: 7
GAME: Zapolklnex advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 10.
It is now Ezil's turn! Crystalline Entity is next!
Daechir waits, paitently counting the seconds until the ooze is far enough away that he can dart inside the building that it was guarding.
Nels shoulders her weapon again after reloading, still nacking down, drawing it after her, and she fires again. Smoke is getting a bit thicker, but not enough to obscure vision.
GAME: Ezil rolls weapon3: (4)+5: 9
GAME: Ezil rolls damage3: aliased to 1D6+0: (1)+0: 1
GAME: Zapolklnex removes the timestop.
Timestop by Zapolklnex has left.
Ezil takes an arrow, his first shot going a bit wide and only scratching his foe. It seems their technique has found it's rhythm, move and shoot. Shoot and move. It doesn't tale long until the creature finds it's demise at the ranged onslaught. "Why is it always fire... always fire." repeating himself despite the victory. Now he can collect his things, having discarded half of what he brought.
Nels gets a couple last shots before the ooze stops moving. "I think we killed it," she says to the others, and shouts at Daechir, who snuck in the room, "Did you find it!?"
Daechir hardly sees the creature go down into a puddle, disencorperating. Instead he's focused on his bit of this mission at the moment - namely, sneaking into the inner sanctum and finding what they'd come here for. The mul'niessan man does his best not to draw attention to himself as he slides inside the room.
Daechir gets in, and well, once he gets close to that Workbench, he feels it. It's not a lot, but it's something. He knows if he tried to cast a magic missile, it just might not work. At all.
Ezil finishes collecting his shield and torch, his pace a bit slower since the heavy blow. He's been healed a bit, but now he takes his time to help with the ache. "Did we find anything?" daring to look at the remains of the ooze, and what was within it.
Nels will keep her gun trained on the ooze in case it starts up again, or resurges. "You OK in there?" she calls to Daechir. To Ezil, she suggests, "Go check, make sure he didn't get eaten."
Daechir pauses by the bench and looks at his comrades. "I think that it is in this workbench. I can sense a... lack of magic here." He waves his hand in the general direction of the bench and looks concerned. The sense fills him with unease.
Daechir, upon searching around, is able to see it. Mostly because he can see in the dark, but he can see a ball of something black, about the size of a grape, in an open drawer on the interior side of the workbench.
Ezil moves toward Daechir, poking his head through the door. "We have that case." he reminds, looking toward where the Mul stands. "I'd say we should wear gloves, and keep magic items from it till it's secured." again, unfastening his shield. "He's okay, Nels." turning to call back to the once-goblin.
Nels nods to Ezil, and about the case. "See if you ca just scoop it with the lid, into the case," she suggests. "I don't have any magic, anyhow, but yeah. The drawer is OK, so it can't be toooooo bad, can it?"
Daechir nods, pulling out the case that they'd been given and using it as a means of picking up the little black orb and putting it into his pack. Once this is done he huffs out a little sigh, trying to discern if the orb had been the source of the sensation which so unsettled him. "We should evacuate as quickly as possible. Things will be drawn to the noise we made earlier and that we were making just now fighting the ooze."
When they do attempt to move it, the 'grape' is surprisingly dense, but it can be manipulated. It has a rough texture, which is hard to tell, as dark as it is. The trip back is nerve wracking, to be sure. Walking over that landfill, looking at the still, dark water, which could be hiding anything. ANYTHING. But this time they have the sense not to throw rocks, and so they get to the wall, and out of the ruins entirely without incident.
Upon returning to Alexandria, Grae is thrilled at teir results. He takes the box, and very gently shakes it. "You say you got HOW close before you could feel it? Hmm. I suppose Humanufacted nethercite isn't as strong as the naturally created material. So far." He nods, and apparently gets right to taking notes, completely forgetting to pay the party at first. Or even that they're still there.