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heart of creation event

Ludikun
Dec 12th, 2020
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  1. [19:44] {NARRATION} Empire of Barsburg. Many years ago, it had its home in Osrona, turning the former shimmering city of magic into a beacon for technology. Where morality was left at the door and, under the Iron Reavers specifically, advancements were sought at whatever cost necessary.
  2.  
  3. Many would likely not recognize the symbol if they did not keep up-to-date with the many symbols of the Barsburgian empire, although Amelie and Freda might be more than familiar with it due to the same person- Through seeing it in former prototypes or drawing from seeing it in their day-to-day life.
  4.  
  5. The Symbol of the Iron Reavers. A blank, grey shield with a discrete 'IR' in the front. Ugly, perhaps- It served its purpose. On that IR, the serial number of whatever prototype and project was always carefully carved, and it served as a means to properly establish the creations were going to be as featureless as their symbols in the end.
  6.  
  7. Regardless of which, by now they manage to make entrance through the deep sewers of Osrona into a facility long since abandoned, rumored to have been sabotaged few years after the events where the wolf spirits spread mayhem through the continent.
  8.  
  9. Most of it? Ransacked, dismantled and to a certain degree, filled with water from the sewers. A few scoutings here and there hint that there is little to no useful material in the entire facility...
  10.  
  11. Until finally, they enter a single room with a sealed gate. Something that withstood the test of time, with no source of illumination. Stepping closer to it, the group manages to feel water creeping up to their knees, the large chamber filled to that level. Perhaps just as importantly, a constant dripping sound echoes, the waters from the sewer dribbling inside of the room - Accumulated over the years, they had this much as a result.
  12. [19:55] Keenly following the group, likely behind the leading Technomancer, the woman clad in a dandelion jacket would offer much of an investigative lead toward the approach within the bowels of Osrona.
  13.  
  14. The trek itself was easily one of the more dangerous passes. Having to go through much of enemy territory alone was likely enough of a tell on the dangers posed of this mission alone. Yet the uneventful occurrence, marred with a successful find, is already a good sign of progress.
  15.  
  16. Wading through the sewage and muck, there was an odd lack of reaction from the Aertas herself. Lifeless and uncanny glances were provided around the room, yet she never seemed to portray disgust or disdain. Weird.
  17.  
  18. "Remain vigilant," she monotonously announces. Her hands were affixed to a bottle of torchlight, its bright glow providing her and the group an ample amount of light to perceive what needs to be seen.
  19.  
  20. A ruined laboratory, Iron Reavers paraphernalia, and a set gate thatseems shut tightly for reasons unknown. Her head glances toward Freda, half-open eyes seemingly providing her with an indifferent expression. "This looks like the place. Do you remember how to get in, Babushka?"
  21. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  22. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  23.  
  24. [19:55] Onward, in somber silence.
  25.  
  26. Gareth felt almost out of place. The lone (sort of) soldier in company of technomancers and artisans. The only man in uniform. And probably the tallest--BONK.
  27.  
  28. He groans quietly, rubbing his head. Sewers did not agree with his frame. Any luck, the installation sought would be more spacious.
  29.  
  30. He casts an eye upward, and quickly bows his head back down, letting out a low whisper, "...do the Osronans patrol this area of the sewers, at all?"
  31.  
  32. A grip, tightened around a sword. Like every endeavor he found himself in, like every effort Achyon undertook, every step and breath was fraught with danger. That was the price, one would suppose. The path of evolution and progress was bloody, sweaty, dusty and ashy.
  33.  
  34. But it was a worthwhile path. As the water rose, as walking turned to slogging, Gareth's eyes were tugged up to look at the gate. He couldn't help but feel a faint awe.
  35.  
  36. Not every day you see and,potentially, make history.
  37. (Gareth Vasern)
  38. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  39.  
  40. [19:55] After receiving an invitation some time ago to participate in this expedition to the laboratory of Freda, Nidaz could not deny such invitation! After all, he wanted to see Achyon progress even further and for that, it was necessary to finish the Adam project.
  41.  
  42. And well.. Whatever it takes, it will be done in order to finish such project.
  43.  
  44. So, they went to Osrona's underground! More specifically, to its sewers.. The last time Nidaz was in a place similar to such, was when he ventured into Trik's old lab, which was very, very similar to this one..
  45.  
  46. Obviously aside from the Fleshcrafting aberrations, that roamed the other place.
  47.  
  48. When faced with the sealed door, he would arch his eyebrow looking at that.. Apparently this was the way to proceed deeper into that place, considering the state of the rest of the facility. Now.. How would they open it?
  49.  
  50. Well, Freda should known a way to such!
  51.  
  52. Looking towards the old woman, he would gesture in the direction of the door, "Yes, yes, do you know how to open this gate, Freda?" He would question, while patiently staring at her.
  53.  
  54. Now.. He awaits an answer!
  55. (Nidaz)
  56. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  57.  
  58. [19:58] The journey sure was stinky. Freda was trotting through the messes of the sewers with the other members of the group. None of that seemed to have bothered her at this point, It was really just walking in general that annoyed the hell out of her.
  59.  
  60. Puffing on a cigar between her lips, Freda examined the sights before her. Old memories good and bad prodding her memories. Ones that she kept contained under lock and key. Now seeming such relics of her past forcefully unleashed those mixture of memories.
  61.  
  62. Souring the expression on her lips, Freda glanced over at the serial numbers that lingered about. Trying to memorize all the purposes they had.
  63.  
  64. Now stepping in the water, she glanced up at the containment gate. Freda dug a hand into the contents of her coat and pulled out a large illuminating flashlight. Clicking the button a few times, it began to blurt out a rather bright as hell light against the gate.
  65.  
  66. "Nothing here to really patrol for. All that's before this gate got stripped down and looted, I highly doubt they'd come patrolling down here. Nothing else to loot."
  67.  
  68. Glancing over to the rest of the party, the old had clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. Shining a light over nearby the gate.. And there it was.
  69.  
  70. "A scanner, checks the palm for the dna and genetic makeup of those who are registered in the system."
  71.  
  72. Trotting through the water some more, Freda sought out for the handprint scanner. Swapping the flashlight to her mechanical arm as she extended out her palm, searching around for the scanner and eventually pressing it.
  73. (Freda Von Bohm)
  74. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  75.  
  76. [20:04] {NARRATION} The scanner was there- Underwater. The touch pad didn't work and, even after fetching it from under, it was quite obvious that it had been underwater for far too long now, probably broken.
  77.  
  78. Every light revealed plenty of turrets, weapons of multiple kinds, covered in moss and with their iron already oxidized through decades. Regardless of how many times Freda pushed her hand against the scanner, it didn't seem to work - Or even attempt to recognize anything. Its circuitry far too damaged to do anything.
  79.  
  80. However, even if it did not open the door, it revealed underwater a sign at the doorstep- Or rather, a flashing red screen that exposed the motive of the laboratory's main gate being closed.
  81.  
  82. "ROOM FLOODED - DRAINING SYSTEMS UNRESPONSIVE - EMERGENCY LOCK IN ACTION"
  83.  
  84. It seems that on the right and next to the gate, there is a terminal as well, with an old-fashioned keyboard, and another terminal, although without a keyboard, on the left. Likely, emergency replacements for the scanner...
  85.  
  86. ... Which had no power on them.
  87. [20:08] Ah, yes. Mind work. Typing.
  88.  
  89. This, for better or worse, was beyond Gareth--hacking wasn't his forte, nor was guessing passwords. Observation was, though. Grey eyes scanned the dark, watching turrets and security measures for signs of reactivation.
  90.  
  91. It wouldn't do to be fucking teamkilled.
  92. (Gareth Vasern)
  93. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  94.  
  95. [20:08] It was no wonder that some water was coming out of the gate, the other side was flooded! Which was somewhat alarming, but well! They had the two best artificers there by their side, who could fix everything.
  96.  
  97. Most likely..
  98.  
  99. Therefore, Nidaz would only take a few steps backwards, making room for the others. Technology was never something he got along with, even though he was an citzen of Achyon..
  100.  
  101. He would put his hands behind his back and watch, to see what others would do!
  102. (Nidaz)
  103. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  104.  
  105. [20:10] "Fuck."
  106.  
  107. That didn't seem to work.
  108.  
  109. Glancing over at the broken scanner.. Then the back up terminals. They had the muscles at hand incase the god fearing security system came back on, but now some cyberdecking progress had to be made in this.
  110.  
  111. "Power is cut and I sure as hell know that redirecting it to the back up systems is going to be a pain in the ass.."
  112.  
  113. Approaching the back up computers, a glance was made over to Amelia as she nod. Tapping along the keyboard of the old terminal. Nope, No power.
  114.  
  115. "Looks like we need to generate our own, Amelia."
  116. (Freda Von Bohm)
  117. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  118.  
  119. [20:11] Slowly, Amelia's hand would be inclined to draw Fellbyur. The scepter's odd shape and intriguing design would be waved before being held primly still. The teslas and Synthetic core within whirring to life at the merest touch of its loyal wielder.
  120.  
  121. "I can offer to power the terminal. However I cannot assure the safety of those... drenched." Being a lightning magi and garnering an extensive amount of knowledge in runic circuitry, technology, and general magitech, Amelia was someone who can likely provide power to these things.
  122.  
  123. And for the water two be drained? There were to ideas that spurred to life. "The room must be drained of sewage before we continue. I am unsure how safe it is for me to empower something while knee-deep in water."
  124. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  125. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  126.  
  127. [20:17] {NARRATION} As per the state of the draining system itself, it seems to be partially in place. There are six drains, four of which are clogged by moss on the metal grids at their opening. The other two are larger but lack a grate - It seems that water ran through it, but it just doesn't have anywhere to flow. At least, not with only gravity acting on it.
  128. [20:19] "Let's get to work on.. Unplugging the drains. Goodness, when did we become fucking plumbers?"
  129.  
  130. And like the blue collar worker she was, Freda got to work on cleaning the moss from the drains. Pulling it away from the cover and tossing them as she went.
  131.  
  132. Thank goodness she was waterproof in regards to her mechanical bits.
  133. (Freda Von Bohm)
  134. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  135.  
  136. [20:20] With ease, Amelia would merely snap her fingers as one of her synthetic familiars would drift over to the clogged drains.
  137.  
  138. "No I," she comments before the robot keenly begins to unclog the drain for her.
  139. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  140. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  141.  
  142. [20:21] Freda Von Bohm says, "Fucking brilliant."
  143. [20:22] Sigh. The labor is never done. Gareth gets to ~~jungle~~ sewer work, with strength and muscle, doing what he can to clear the drains and get the room somewhere close to dry.
  144. (Gareth Vasern)
  145. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  146.  
  147. [20:22] Since his specialties weren't much of use at the moment, he would help Freda remove the moss! Where for that, he would use his servants, obviously.
  148.  
  149. Snapping his finger, three undead that accompanied the necromancer would go to each of the drains, to start removing the moss with their bare hands! While his servants worked, Nidaz would watch, as always!
  150.  
  151. "It happens.. But well, we want what's inside of this place, so it's a must-do, my dear Freda!" He would comment, looking afar at Freda as she worked.
  152. (Nidaz)
  153. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  154.  
  155. [20:28] {NARRATION} Unplugging the drains seems to start to work- The water level lowers a few inches at first, but there are a few side effects to be noticed. First, the water seems to only run through some pipes under their head but again fail to find somewhere to go after a while.
  156.  
  157. It does, however, provide them with a new cue. The entire thing coalesces to a single point in the center of the room, and if the splashes are heard right, they seem to have room to go up, but not down.
  158.  
  159. Amelia's minions seem to find themselves into failure after a while underground, either sacrificing themselves bravely to wipe a bit more of the moss from the grates or returning when the water starts to get into their systems. Of course, this is an unnatural reaction for normal water. An enigma...
  160.  
  161. ... To which Gareth and Nidaz find out the answer. Going down on the ground, it is far more noticeable once most of their body (or that of their underlings) is immersed- This water isn't from random spots in the sewers. The water under their feets is contaminated with plenty of cosmic energy, originating from the crystals of the shimmering city itself!
  162.  
  163. Which, of course, meant they were all the more destructive than otherwise to the magitek creations. On the other hand, it meant they had a plentiful source of energy right there, literally flowing into the room, and likely used to power up the entire thing itself.
  164. [20:28] Gareth chuckles in blue-attuned cosmic magi.
  165. (Gareth Vasern)
  166. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  167.  
  168. [20:32] Though bits of her assistants found themselves somewhat flatlining, this merely placed another blockade. The few that survive are sent back, while Amelia remains idle.
  169.  
  170. "More to rebuild later," she remarks. Though the room not draining from them clearing out the moss was something noted.
  171.  
  172. "Are you all doing fine?" She chimes, attempting to fish out a report of any findings from those that submerged into the water.
  173. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  174. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  175.  
  176. [20:34] {NARRATION} Reports! The reports? Exactly that which Nidaz and Gareth find out. The entire thing is magical- Awfully so. That dripping provided quite the concentrated mixture between cosmic energy and water, which explained the damages withstained.
  177.  
  178. Just like that, they all point out to the schematics of what the room had- At the very edge of each of those pipes, what seems like a mix of a pump and a generator. Luckily, robots didn't have problems with viewing through the dark or through water, even if the interference did make it difficult to find out the exact measures of the entire system.
  179. [20:36] A good find in fact, something that could be used in the current situation, incredible! Sometimes those undeads were indeed useful, even in very limited situations.
  180.  
  181. Great.
  182.  
  183. Waving to Amelia, he would begin to speak, "My servants have found what appears to be a crystal pulsating with cosmic energy, we can use it as an energy source." Pausing, he looked at the place where the undeads found the crystal, "If you wish, I can order my servants to bring such an object! If necessary, that is." And now, he would be silent again.
  184.  
  185. It would probably be useful, but it was good to ask! After all, the others could have other ideas of what to do and Nidaz was just there to help them..
  186. (Nidaz)
  187. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  188.  
  189. [20:37] Freda Von Bohm says, "Better than us shocking ourselves to a crisp. I'm sure such energy won't have a reaction with the water... "
  190. [20:40] Cosmic mana. A familiar feeling. Especially when its power pulses through oneself with every beat of the heart. Gareth shuts his eyes, just soaking in the energy from the Osronan crystals. The feeling of something close but not entirely like his own.
  191.  
  192. "...mm. It feels like energetic runoff from Osrona's crystal pylons. I can try an'...manipulate it. Not sure what exactly I can do, until I try."
  193. (Gareth Vasern)
  194. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  195.  
  196. [20:40] Giving a cough, in order to clear his throat, apparently he had misinterpreted the information provided by his servants, it happens.
  197.  
  198. Many more times than expected..
  199.  
  200. "Sorry, to be more precise, the water in the place is energized with cosmic energy, provided by the crystals that are around the streets of Osrona! Just like said by Gareth." He spoke, correcting his previous small error in his speech..
  201. (Nidaz)
  202. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  203.  
  204. [20:41] Freda Von Bohm asks, "And the chances of us shocking ourselves in the water are?"
  205. [20:41] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "None if they make use of cosmic energies."
  206. [20:42] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas asks, "Is it possible to redirect this to the console?"
  207. [20:42] Nidaz exclaims, "Mm.. Maybe.. Probably.. Yeah!"
  208. [20:42] Nidaz says, "We can do it."
  209. [20:42] Freda Von Bohm says, "Handle it then. Amelia, You can get on the console and run through it. I'll handle the scanner."
  210. [20:43] Freda Von Bohm says, "Use the terminal to activate the emergency flush, if it works."
  211. [20:43] Amelia does just that, moving toward the scanner. Hands ready to interact.
  212. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  213. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  214.  
  215. [20:43] Nidaz exclaims, "Very well.. Gareth, give me a hand!"
  216. [20:46] Going to the console as requested, Nidaz would touch it with his right hand and then touch the water with his left hand! Soon beginning to gather the energy that was flowing over liquid, into himself.
  217.  
  218. Subsequently he would transfer part of that energy to the console, in order to supply power to it! Something that was not very difficult for Nidaz, because the process was relatively similar to that of working with magic circuits..
  219.  
  220. Where well, now it was with technology!
  221.  
  222. He continued to carry out this process until it was no longer needed.. Besides of course, await for Gareth's help.
  223. (Nidaz)
  224. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  225.  
  226. [20:57] {NARRATION} It seems to... Work! The entire system is lit up, but the red warning continues brightly lit.
  227.  
  228. "ROOM FLOODED - DRAINING SYSTEMS UNRESPONSIVE - EMERGENCY LOCK IN ACTION"
  229.  
  230. On the console with the keyboard, there is a prompt for a password, along with a reminder. "The flesh is _____. ______ is _____." Three words, fit for a paranoid lieutenant that left the continent years ago- Obviously too complicated to just try at random.
  231.  
  232. On the other hand, on the opposite side, a perhaps easier password even if more time consuming. Three trinkets, each one bearing a label over its surface. LIFE, represented by a triangular chunk of animal flesh, by now mostly rotten- But even then, the bacteria on it are alive.
  233.  
  234. STEEL, which is... You know. A bar of steel, square.
  235.  
  236. And lastly, MANA, a near-totally-drained orichalcum battery, in cylinder shape
  237.  
  238. Right under the three trinkets, five categories are present, each with a slot to put the trinkets on, possible to even put all three in the same slot if that should be their wish.
  239.  
  240. 1, 3/4, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 0. Each one of them, having a slot for all three trinkets. There is, however, a cue- Which could be mostly directed to allowing the entry to those who studied under the Iron Reavers and sought to learn the theory of the non-existing synthetics.
  241.  
  242. "The perfect being's composition."
  243. [21:02] With his part completed, he would stop to rest for a moment and breathe deeply.. Now, letting the others work.
  244.  
  245. Considering that that security system seemed to be more focused for those who had some knowledge about the place, thus it was made for Freda! And probably Amelia.
  246.  
  247. It was not something for Nidaz!
  248. (Nidaz)
  249. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  250.  
  251. [21:05] The former was likely something beyond here time. Amelia herself was but merely active during the prime of the Technomancers. The Iron Reavers, though as much as she would like otherwise, was something that occurred way before she could even walk.
  252.  
  253. It is thusly obvious that she would be more drawn to the other password. One attuned to something she was more knowledgeable in.
  254.  
  255. But not before informing the rest of her findings. "This is good. The consoles have powered up. Good work," she answers. "Babushka, come. I think only you can answer some of these."
  256.  
  257. While she took a step to the side to allow Freda to peer upon the console, the Aertas would opt to focus upon the other aspect of the path forward.
  258.  
  259. Of course, for her, it was found that steel and mana was easily placed above flesh to prefer it as a composition of a perfect being. Or, at least, that was her ideal.
  260.  
  261. Thus, she keenly placed the rotten flesh upon the zero, and pushed the remaining two up toward the one.
  262. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  263. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  264.  
  265. [21:06] With power to the systems, it was set and ready for usage. Although everything was still under lock. It was time to get onto the console.
  266.  
  267. Shooting her eyes over to the console and the request for the password, Freda was ready to slap the hell out of the console..
  268.  
  269. Then something caught her eyes..
  270.  
  271. Glancing over to Amelia, Freda gave a nod and pointed out the password.
  272.  
  273. ".. I remember.. The flesh is weak.. Metal is power. I believe that's what the old coot raved about."
  274.  
  275.  
  276. (Freda Von Bohm)
  277. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  278.  
  279. [21:07] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "Steel above flesh. As he would have wanted it."
  280. [21:08] Freda Von Bohm says, "Correct."
  281. [21:09] {NARRATION} (you only need to choose one puzzle by the way no need to do both)
  282.  
  283. Amelia's first attempt results in...! Partial success. Steel and mana are pushed out of their slots at 1, but flesh remains in the zero diligently. Afterwards, however, a counter at attempts appears right over that single terminal- It seems both entries have different counters to how many attempts they have left.
  284.  
  285. One out of three chances used on both, however- The password given by Freda? It seems partially correct.
  286.  
  287. "The flesh is _____. Metal is _____."
  288. [21:12] Getting to work on the terminal.. The first password she inputted didn't seem to work. Then sporting a concerned glance over to Amelia.
  289.  
  290. "Let's see.. The flesh is.. Useless? Give me a few terms that your grandfather might of spouted."
  291. (Freda Von Bohm)
  292. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  293.  
  294. [21:15] The flesh was a no-brainer.
  295.  
  296. But the specifics of magic and metal? That one seemed to elude her. "I am unsure. Judging from the accounts about him, I cannot say for certain that I know his full lexiconical choices."
  297.  
  298. Meanwhile, back to other portion of the console, her hands hesitantly try steel upon 3/4s and mana upon 1/4s.
  299.  
  300. If there was anything she was sure of, it was that steel was easily the highest priority here. Mana was but the lifeblood that allowed it to prosper. Much like a battery to a machine.
  301. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  302. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  303.  
  304. [21:16] {NARRATION} The second attempt... Fails. Both pieces are pushed out.
  305. [21:17] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "I have one final ideal. But for that I am unsure considering this will be the final attempt."
  306. [21:17] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas asks, "Equal parts steel and mana. What do you think?"
  307. [21:18] Freda Von Bohm says, "Could work.. And for the password.. The meat does look rather.."
  308. [21:18] Freda Von Bohm says, "Old.."
  309. [21:18] Freda Von Bohm says, "Perhaps diseased? "
  310. [21:19] Freda Von Bohm asks, "ill?"
  311. [21:20] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "Try one more word code before I do this one Babushka."
  312. [21:20] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "At least in-case your guess ends up being correct."
  313. [21:21] Another attempt at the console password.
  314.  
  315. Ill, diseased.. Plagued. Anything to match up the chunk of meat to its current status.
  316.  
  317. Although the last one was curious..
  318.  
  319. Metal was much more superior to flesh..
  320.  
  321. Ah.
  322.  
  323. "..Metal is superior! Of course."
  324. (Freda Von Bohm)
  325. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  326.  
  327. [21:21] Freda Von Bohm says, "Or.."
  328. [21:22] Freda Von Bohm says, "Should be.. Metal is.. Life."
  329. [21:23] {NARRATION} Freda's password... Succeeds! With that, the door prompts yet another question for them.
  330.  
  331. "OVERRIDE SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND OPEN THE GATE?"
  332. [21:24] Amelia lights up with a nod.
  333. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  334. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  335.  
  336. [21:24] Nidaz smiles, as expected, they did it!
  337. (Nidaz)
  338. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  339.  
  340. [21:24] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "Before we do this."
  341. [21:25] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "I must inquire."
  342. [21:25] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas asks, "Should we be expecting anything within?"
  343. [21:25] Freda Von Bohm says, "It's always weird within these labs. "
  344. [21:25] Freda Von Bohm says, "Fauna.. Angry leftover sciencetists."
  345. [21:25] Freda Von Bohm says, "...We uh.."
  346. [21:26] Freda Von Bohm says, "Well. I wasn't too sure, This is where prototypes to what I presume to be sythnetics were being developed within."
  347. [21:26] Freda Von Bohm says, "Classfied. "
  348. [21:26] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "I see."
  349. [21:26] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "We best be cautious then."
  350. [21:26] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "After you, Babushka."
  351. [21:26] Nidaz says, "Mhm."
  352. [21:26] Raising her fist.. The old hag slams the keyboard...
  353.  
  354. Open dat shit.
  355. (Freda Von Bohm)
  356. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  357.  
  358. [21:34] {NARRATION} Crackling with energy, the lock activates- Energy courses through it and, consequentially, through the cosmic magi they brought with them. It starts to harness from the crystals above, and the loud "POW POW POW" of the locks being quite literally fired from their spots is heard.
  359.  
  360. The entire thing was, after all, made of Tyrium and Nyeshk- Even oxidized, both are extremely heavy, and moving the entire thing required a lot of moving parts. Perhaps for the worst, the door is incapable of moving all the way to open itself, allowing only a narrow passage that slowly drips into the room after them-
  361.  
  362. But in the efforts to unlock the door, one of the juts literally shoots itself out the gate, landing in the ground!
  363.  
  364. Now, ahead of them, lies the final door. This is the laboratory, a rather small place for a prototype that was meant to be kept in utmost secret. All over its walls, prototypes from the past lit up by the flashlights, revealing barely-functional golems that seemed to act on their own.
  365.  
  366. Or at least, this is what past documentation had led Amelia to believe. This, however, dated from years - decades before that. The very first few models are present in this room, even if they are just as much worse for wear, each one of them put into a fashioned coffin that by now has filled with the same cosmic water, oxidizing their very essence to the point of reanimation being impossible.
  367.  
  368. On the other hand, at the very center of the room...
  369.  
  370. A mech.
  371.  
  372. A modified version of the one they used in the first invasion of Barsburg.
  373. [21:37] {NARRATION} On the mech, there are only two things to be examined. First, its massive height- It stands at over thirteen feet tall, and seven feet wide. Its massive arms are covered in what seems to be mostly indistinguished from the other metals in the facility, except they seem weirdly pristine.
  374.  
  375. And most importantly, there is a monitor at its head, slowly powering up as the cosmic energy from the waters is drained into its system- Showing only the code for it.
  376.  
  377. "Unit Zero One. Activating."
  378. [21:39] Perhaps noting down for later investigation, Amelia would firstly make swift notes of what the prototypes scattered upon the room are worth taking note on.
  379.  
  380. She figures that there may be something to scrap and take back to further her own Synthetic research.
  381.  
  382. But the main show lies before the center. Its large demeanor was easily eye-catching. Its giant body whirring to life as the water powers its core both triggered a defensive posture and one that seemed more curious about its capabilities.
  383.  
  384. Long has this been something she was intrigued by. A homeland mech. Though perhaps it was caution, but Amelia remains idle outside of its reach. Mere observations would ride the importance as she looks on, expectantly waiting for something to occur.
  385. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  386. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  387.  
  388. [21:42] Back into the depths of machinery hell. Freda puffed on the cigar as the gate began to unlock, revealing the inner guts of the laboratory... Machinery.. Prototypes..
  389.  
  390. And that thing. The mech.
  391.  
  392. Widening her biological eye, Freda glanced up in shock at the view... It was alive now.. And certainly active.
  393.  
  394. "I remember that.. Those were what we used to help fight off the Osronas.. Oh."
  395.  
  396. She pointed off at the monitor on the head, which gave her some worry as it began to activate from the surrounding waters. Relaxing her posture as this thing was certainly pissed off.
  397.  
  398. Maybe.. She could talk some sense into it.
  399.  
  400. "This is Freda Von Bohm. Unit zero one, Stand down."
  401.  
  402.  
  403. (Freda Von Bohm)
  404. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  405.  
  406. [21:44] And then they would proceed further into the laboratory, in search of the necessary materials for their projects! Where obviously, Nidaz went last, in order to avoid getting caught by any traps that might be there.
  407.  
  408. After all, he learned that old labs like this one were full of traps.. Thanks to Trik.
  409.  
  410. There were several interesting things in the place, if only a little.. Several prototypes and other things, but probably what caught the most attention was the Mech in the center.
  411.  
  412. And it was apparently draining the energy from the water.. Oh no.
  413.  
  414. Pulling the axe from his back, Nidaz already expected the worst. He would gesture for his undeads to move foward, in front of the group, to serve as meat shields for them, and they did so.
  415.  
  416. "It doesn't look good.. Be ready everyone!" He would exclaim, soon turning his attention to the old Artificer, "Freda, can you disable that? If so thi- Ah, good.."
  417.  
  418. He didn't even haveto say much and she already did what was necessary! Good. Perhaps the command would work, but if not? He was still ready!
  419. (Nidaz)
  420. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  421.  
  422. [21:44] {NARRATION} The creature continued to whir into life. It didn't seem to bear any hostility, but it seemed to lack the basic assessing of the facts- Instead, what it saw were destroyed remains of a laboratory.
  423.  
  424. "Sergeants do not have the authority." The answer was clear in no time.
  425. [21:50] "You've been in stand by mode for centuries. Nero Aertas is no longer of this land. He's on the mainland enjoying his discharge from the service. Thus I am now the higheset of the iron reavers."
  426.  
  427. Doing some ruffling around in her coat, Freda.. Did not pack what she wanted to. Instead reaching up to the bot with her mechanical arm.
  428.  
  429. "Even then, I am still the highest of the iron reavers that's here. So the authority should fall down to me."
  430.  
  431. Squinting her eyes at the machine.. Merely staring it down.
  432. (Freda Von Bohm)
  433. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  434.  
  435. [22:00] {NARRATION} It seems that Freda's attempt at convincing the mech are... Flawed. At least, for the most part. "Unlikely. I was manufactured this year. The creator cannot have left already."
  436.  
  437. Which, likely, meant that they were manufactured thirty-or-so years ago, but left in rest ever since. From it, there is a voice that seems nearly human. "I was put in here for a purpose, Freda! Attempting to destroy me will not result in anything."
  438.  
  439. "FOR THE GLORY OF BARSBURG, I WILL REPEL THE INVADERS!" Through the speakers, the voice boomed- And finally, the robot started to move!
  440. [22:03] Her defensive posture was likely placed for a reason. Her grip upon Fellbyur tightened as the Synthetic core within resonated with a louder whirring. Sparks of electromagnetism begins to vibreate and exude from the tip of the scepter as it would be dully pointed toward the machine.
  441.  
  442. Amelia, oddly enough, remains calm. Not a single shred of emotion or compassion exudes from her expression. Merely a deadpan look and half-open aloof eyes that stare toward the mech.
  443.  
  444. "We will dismantle you and build you up again to get you up to speed if we must," she comments as those surrounding her could feel an oddly dousing and dampening presence that seems to well up around Amelia.
  445.  
  446. Something that the other two likely would have never witnessed from her before.
  447. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  448. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  449.  
  450. [22:15] {Won Restrained RPB against Mech}
  451. [22:16] {NARRATION} Freda - 3 d6 rolls
  452. Amelia - 1 d6 roll
  453. Nidaz - 1 d6 roll
  454. [22:30] {NARRATION} The robot is strong. Its power is, likely, being amplified by the very magical waters that they brought with them in the room- A decision to be questioned later, perhaps. For now, they manage to defeat the robot, even if some are worse for wear than others.
  455.  
  456. Amelie manages to take a particularly nasty wound- The cosmic energy seeps into her, burning through the magical field that she manages to bring forth. It pushes through, and stains her arm with excess energy. Hard to maneuver, not impossible to get over. (-20% vit, 12-day temp.)
  457.  
  458. Nidaz, however, is less lucky. The same occurs to him, except his own cosmic prowess is turned against him. Every attempt at harming the robot is successful, but it ends with the same cosmic energy blasting him right back from the ablative shields. Unluckily, he also harnesses from that very selfsame excess energy, and the wound would likely never heal. (-10 perm)
  459.  
  460. Freda manages to avoid getting hurt at first, the first few pummels quickly dodged! However, eventually the claw on the mech's right hand is pulled out, urging forth and RIPPING through Freda's flesh, her bowels exposed as the remainders of cosmic energy shimmer over the red blood. (-20 perm. One more, and it becomes death.)
  461.  
  462. And for a moment, Amelia's repeated shooting and robots seem to work. The mech is torn out, its core deactivated and the monitor at its head shot out of place... Until, one realization might hit the more experienced of the trio.
  463.  
  464. These mechs were designed to have pilots in them. This one? Even with the monitor, it still has a cockpit. "You-- YOU WILL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE, RANSACKING SAVAGES!"
  465.  
  466. "I KNEW YOU WERE NEVER TRUSTWORTHY, FREDA. YOU CAME FROM THIS VERY ACCURSED CONTINENT."
  467.  
  468.  
  469. "LIFE SUPPORT. DISENGAGE."
  470.  
  471. "ACTIVATE UNION."
  472.  
  473.  
  474. A pained scream echoes through the room, and the robotic voice appears once again- Albeit much lower this time, drowned out by the screaming from the pilot. "Replacing personality... Replacing body..."
  475.  
  476. The cosmic energy turns. From within the creature, a nearly-dying corpse rises, covered in the fluids of the robot's making. Moments ago, it was flesh- But quickly, the arcanium rises through its veins, pushing through whatever it finds, until finally reaching the head of the woman.
  477.  
  478. Arms rise up.
  479.  
  480. Crimson energy envelops the newly arisen being.
  481.  
  482. Every single speck of mana from around them is drained actively, used to power that spell, ready to turn this entire castle into rubble- And given the way they were being drained? They either had to fight back before...
  483.  
  484. Or they'd go down with the castle.
  485. [22:39] All kinds of pain was traveling through her systems. For someone of her age, this was merely at the point of surviving the injury and..
  486.  
  487. The cigar slipped from her lips, letting it hit the watery layered floor as it was snuffed out. Whoever was piloting this thing was still alive.. As reminding her of her own experiences with such a thing.
  488.  
  489. Now to yell back at it.
  490.  
  491. "I'm running what's left of the iron reavers! Those days are over, we fall under a new banner now!.."
  492.  
  493. Nothing like holding back your insides. Pressing a free hand against her abdomen harshly. Using some of her blood magic to help create something of a 'shell' to hold them in for now. Not enough to completely heal the wound, but to ensure they wouldn't fall out amidst the venture.
  494.  
  495. Readying the pulse rifle, albiet more sluggish. It was aimed at the 'pilot' of the vessel as they emerged. The building wide drain of magic staring to prod at her old systems.
  496.  
  497. "Kill this fucking thing, otherwise it's going to cave in the entire facility ontop of us!"
  498.  
  499. No more time for diplomacy, it was time to shoot and kill this god damn thing.
  500. (Freda Von Bohm)
  501. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  502.  
  503. [22:42] The impending danger imposed was enough to catch the Aertas on high-alert. Her head begins to survey the general area for possible outs.
  504.  
  505. Of course, there was the way they went through, but that was likely going to cause them to pause.
  506.  
  507. Pain was easily felt, yet not a shred of a reaction seemed to emerge from the Aertas. They seemed almost too robotic.
  508.  
  509. In the end, the prime and optimal route revolved around swatting this thing down to the best that they were able to. Normally, Amelia likely would have perhaps checked over the remaining present, yet now she seemed all the more focused upon this looming abomination.
  510.  
  511. "Clinging to the past. This is how you regress progress." Her form stiffens as the scepter upon her hand is flourished with an amplified level of expertise as the weapon it aimed toward the sudden shifting of a creature.. "Uncertainties has muddled your senses and memory. I believe it is time for us to fix what is broken."
  512. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  513. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  514.  
  515. [22:42] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
  516. [22:42] Battle would it be! And even though it was a relic from ancient times, the mech was still powerful, being able to fight them! Perhaps due to the fact that it had drained in cosmic energy or for any other reason..
  517.  
  518. Whatever it was, it didn't matter at the moment, as they had to fight now to survive.
  519.  
  520. As usual, Nidaz stayed behind his servants who served him as protection! The perfect meat shield for him. Also, he was always firing rays of cosmic energy, channeled throughout the blade of Aerternuslyn and even using the blood of his servants, to attack the being.
  521.  
  522. He was using everything that he had.. But..
  523.  
  524. Even using all his possible techniques, it seemed that his attacks were were being sent back to him! Probably because of defense system of the mech.. And because of that, he was injured.
  525.  
  526. But nothing that he should be alarmed about now.. Since the adrenaline would keep him standing.
  527.  
  528. In the end, it was the group that emerged victorious! Having defeated the being. But apparently it was not the end, because soon another being appeared, from inside the robot!
  529.  
  530. What now?!
  531.  
  532. Taking a deep breath, the man would affirm his hand on the axe hilt and position himself, ready for whatever it was! No words were said, only actions taken.
  533. (Nidaz)
  534. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  535.  
  536. [22:46] {NARRATION} The creature continues to coalesce magical power as the group attacks- It seems, ultimately, unabashed by their attempts, and its draining exercise continuest to flow through every moment.
  537.  
  538. Until...
  539.  
  540. The spell is released.
  541.  
  542. One at a time, the group feels the tug on their life.
  543. [22:50] {NARRATION} One by one, their energy is drained, repurposed- And that dark ritual seems to only continue. There are no words uttered back, no smartass responses to be given.
  544.  
  545. Instead, there is only unsurmountable pain- Enough that it stings all through their mind, incapable of being stopped by magic or stamina alike.
  546.  
  547. There is only some half-living abomination, obeying the singular order it certainly had been given.
  548.  
  549.  
  550. If you die, take them with you.
  551.  
  552. [22:53] {NARRATION} The profane ritual starts once again. Its forces, coalesced through the robotic arms, and just as it borders completion...
  553.  
  554. It fails.
  555. [22:57] {NARRATION} The spell nears completion- And one by one, their energies drain.
  556. [22:59] {NARRATION} Just as Nidaz' energy is drained, the rest of the group manages to once again break the constructs concentration.
  557.  
  558.  
  559. "NO!"
  560.  
  561. "YOU WILL NOT STOP ME."
  562.  
  563. "FOR BARSBURG!"
  564.  
  565. [22:59] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "No. We are for Barsburg."
  566. [22:59] {NARRATION} The spell is nearing completion.
  567.  
  568. Ten seconds...
  569. [22:59] {NARRATION} The spell completes.
  570.  
  571. One by one.
  572. [23:00] {Won Dangerous RPB against Life-tek Abomination}
  573. [23:03] {NARRATION} R1 - All three
  574. R2 - None
  575. R3 - Nidaz
  576. R4 - Amelia
  577.  
  578. Amelia & Nidaz, roll 2 d6s
  579.  
  580. Freda, roll 1 d6
  581. [23:16] {NARRATION} The group manages to knock the creature down- Finally. Amelia's energy is sapped for what feels like the last moment in her life, even the excess energy from before being sapped away and instead, leaving a void on her mana reserves.
  582.  
  583. A flaw in her perfect balance. While the effects of the draining are dire, she will slowly get better, piece by piece. The worst parts will wane away soon enough with just a few nights of rest, while the least harmful will last for the better part of a couple years.
  584.  
  585. AMELIA'S FINAL INJURIES: -40% 1-DAY TEMP, -20% 4-DAY TEMP, -20% 12-DAY TEMP
  586.  
  587. Nidaz, on the other hand, suffers at the hands of the cosmic aberration. It feeds on its own energy like it depends on such, drawing his strength inside and even the additional mana reserves from before, before sending it all into his system to properly overload the man. If the creature hadn't been vanquished, he'd likely die, filled with power that only divine beings could imagine flowing through them.
  588.  
  589. NIDAZ'S FINAL INJURIES: -20 VIT PERM
  590.  
  591. Freda is perhaps the luckiest. Maybe due to her frail state, or the authority exerted as the last Iron Reaver with the seeming exception of the pilot inside. The frail clone nearly even resembles her for a second, but ultimately, it just leaves her with the injuries of the former fight- She avoids anything new, which is for the best given her current state.
  592.  
  593. FREDA'S FINAL INJURIES: -20 VIT PERM
  594.  
  595. However, the destruction causes the many makings of the robot to fall down on the ground, its energy core having drained the entire facility and turning it dark once again. Everything in there that was, for a moment, alive had now died. The three had borne witness to the greatest miracle, or perhaps the worst sin of human creation.
  596.  
  597. Utter and complete destruction.
  598. [23:24] Her arms sag. The utter speed and urgency in dismantling whatever this mech was immediately put her in harsh focus.
  599.  
  600. The magnetic pulls began to unravel and pull apart the mech's power reserves, sending forth bolts of electricity that froze on impact. A hardy attempt to suppress all the damages that it was dealing upon them
  601.  
  602. Yet, as her vision began to encroach into darkness, she clarifies her stand just a bit more. On one knee, one last blast of electricity would fly outward as the draining sensation would finally free her.
  603.  
  604. A shortness of breath and a sudden gasp has at least signified that Amelia was alive.
  605.  
  606. Deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale.
  607.  
  608. "It is done," she shakily comments before standing to her feet with a slight wobble. "Is everyone operational?" She asks, peering toward the two others before turning back to the mech at hand, slowly approaching it. They came here for a reason, and she was keen on leaving with such.
  609. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  610. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  611.  
  612. [23:26] ** Life-tek Abomination has inflicted an injury upon Amelia Locke pyr Aertas. ("Excess Energy", "Even at the best attempts of nullifying mana and turning it to herself, Amelia's systems are overwhelmed with the mech's magical prowess. Cosmic energy dashes through her skin, keeping the nullification at bay at seemingly random spots each day.", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **
  613. [23:27] ** Life-tek Abomination has inflicted an injury upon Amelia Locke pyr Aertas. ("Excess Energy - Major", "Excessive energy courses through Amelia's left arm, impeding her from casting any sort of magic from that part of her body. It constantly shimmers in a mix of different magical types, from the blue raw mana to the yellow cosmic, and of course, it hurts like hell to even move.", "Temporary", "Duration: Short (1 day)") **
  614. [23:28] Unlike the mech that previously actually fought against them, this creature now made the opposite! He stood in the corner, doing absolutely nothing..
  615.  
  616. Or at least that was what Nidaz had thinked..
  617.  
  618. Unfortunately for him, he was wrong. For at all times the being was just preparing to drain the life of the trio! And so it did, where even more to Nidaz's misfortune, he ended up suffering a lot from it..
  619.  
  620. Not a lit.. A LOT.
  621.  
  622. The very cosmic energy that strengthened him was being drained by it, to be used by that thing in its plans! However in the end it was destroyed, due to the group's skill mix.. Which was good.
  623.  
  624. Therefore, their plans would not be completed.. Great.
  625.  
  626. In the end, with no strength left, the necromancer would lean on his axe, which was pressed against the ground. His clearly empty gaze was turned towards the others, where.. Raising his hand, he would just make a gesture with it, a thumbs up for the two women.
  627.  
  628. "Good job, you two.. Now, take what you can and let's get out of this place. And no.. I'm not very well.. Amelia.." He would speak, again taking a deep breath and then being silent.
  629. (Nidaz)
  630. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  631.  
  632. [23:28] It was over...
  633.  
  634. What was left of the robot or the injuries didn't seem to mind Freda much..
  635.  
  636. It was the pilot that spooked the old iron patariarch, slowly approaching it as a hand remained tucked over her newly received gash that exposed her innards.
  637.  
  638. A painful groan exhaled out from the hag, which with a single shaky hand. Took out a cigarette and a light from her robe pockets, lighting up the stogie and placing it between her lips.
  639.  
  640. "..I'm not one to complain.. But I didn't walk into this place with my guts poking out of my body.."
  641.  
  642. Taking a knee by the abomination. Freda kneeled down and looked over to get a closer look of the 'pilot'.. Getting much closer of an observation.
  643.  
  644. She was leaking blood, but that's what blood magic was there for in keeping it back inside. Won't do much in terms of the open wound however.
  645. (Freda Von Bohm)
  646. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  647.  
  648. [23:28] ** Life-tek Abomination has inflicted an injury upon Amelia Locke pyr Aertas. ("Excessive Leftovers", "Absorbing mana, nullifying it or repurposing it comes as a problem. Nothing can solve it easily- Even as her own body tries to react and expel the excessive mana consumed forcefully in a single combat, it fails to do so properly, constantly leaving the scientist tired and, were the energy coursing through her veins not so foreign and altered, far more powerful than before.", "Temporary", "Duration: Long (12 days)") **
  649. [23:32] {Item} You picked up Ominous Metal..
  650. [23:37] With the vying danger looming over them dying down, Amelia would shakily nod to the rest. Her exhausted bags greeting them with a sense of familiarity.
  651.  
  652. "Then take what we can. We cannot let the Osronans find this area and take all this." She would turn back to Freda.
  653.  
  654. "Can we seal all this back up once we leave? We can return for all of this when we can. I doubt carry..." She looks around to the large number of materials, Synthetic prototypes, and even the remains of the mecha. Surely the three of them alone can't carry all this right this second, yes? "All this."
  655.  
  656. However, before opting to depart, she does take the moment to inspect the relics of Osrona's past.
  657.  
  658. Specifically Barsburg Osrona.
  659.  
  660. Her interests are drawn to the Synthetic prototypes. Perhaps she willed to find anything within their early stages. Something to build up upon. Or perhaps find something that can be repurposed?
  661. (Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
  662. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  663.  
  664. [23:38] Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "*I doubt we can carry"
  665. [23:40] Closing his fist, undeads began to move around the facility, servants who always accompanied the necromancer, ready to serve him!
  666.  
  667. Where the time for such was now.
  668.  
  669. "You can use my undeads to carry whatever you want from here.. They are in better condition than me.. Heh." He would comment, looking at the woman for a moment and then lowering his head.
  670.  
  671. Now, he was just waiting for her response to make the undeads start acting, if necessary.
  672. (Nidaz)
  673. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  674.  
  675. [23:41] {NARRATION} The prototypes are stored in coffins that seemed to be developed for their protection but, at the last moment, proved imperfect in their conception. Even the best of stones eventually caves in to erosion, particularly that covered in magic.
  676.  
  677. It seemed that this, in turn, degraded their state to the point of uselessness- Quite a lot of them seemed to be mostly just mixes of orichalcum, arcanium and other typical materials which made the synthetics known to Achyon, or rather, most of them.
  678.  
  679. They were awfully robot-like, more like glorified steel golems than anything that could even be called human. Most of the other remains that would otherwise be useful, are equally as degraded by the oppressive force of the mech's encounter with them, the blasts of energy turning what were previously plentiful supplies of rare alloys into...
  680.  
  681. ... Dust, for the most part.
  682.  
  683. One single thing is noted, however. The ominous piece of metal carried in the mech, was directly connected to the living person inside of it. And just as much, none of the other synthetics show any sign of living influence, except the moss around them.
  684.  
  685. Carrying it all out? Possible. Useful? Unlikely to do much.
  686.  
  687. A specific property, however, is to be noted...
  688. [23:41] {Item} You drop Ominous Metal.
  689. [23:41] "..We can close the place up again as we left it unlocked.. Other than that.. I'd prefer just destroying what remains.."
  690.  
  691. If there was one person with the urge to kill Freda, it was probably herself. Not in a suicidal manner, but in the terms of finding out your old boss cloned you. This was something she didn't want to deal with.. Yet had to face the music.
  692.  
  693. Carefully looming her blood stained hand over to the 'pilot' the near death Freda pressed the palm of her hand against its face..
  694.  
  695. Then she just went silent..
  696.  
  697. Nothing else was said. Just silence.
  698. (Freda Von Bohm)
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