Mechanisms Part 3

[So I'm waddling around Spinesreach, minding my own business, when...]


The Inner Gate of Spinesreach. (road) (Spinesreach.)
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The bright sun shines down, blanketing you with its life-giving warmth. A black marble pedestal has
been knocked over, cracking the bowl that once rested upon it. The Inner Gate of Spinesreach looms
high overhead here. Snowflakes falling from its form, a miniature ice elemental rests here. There
are 2 simple wooden benchs here. A plain grey robe has been left here. A sigil in the shape of a
small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. There are 5 Syssin defenders here. There are 4
cabalists of jherza here. A stout donkey stands patiently by, waiting for a burden. Leaning calmly
on his staff, a Guardian of the Master Crystal stands here. A furled metal mechanism lies here,
gleaming quietly. Ishin Cardinalis is here.
You see exits leading north, southeast, and down.

The mechanism - for that is what it is - ricochets from the stone and bounces forcefully off Ishin's
forehead, leaving an angry red mark.

You blink.

 Eleanor glances upward.




Attaining her fullest glory, the shining sun sits upon her throne at the apex of her daily trek
through the firmament.

You peer at Ishin suspiciously.

There is a quiet gloing-oing-oing noise as the vaguely circular device slowly comes to rest,
steaming slightly.

 Eleanor leans down and picks up the rogue component.

You pick up a Buess-Tieser inverted recoil prong.

A rather menacing forked piece of metal comprises the body of this mechanism, surrounded by a kinked
brass spring.
It weighs 3 ounce(s).

You say to Ishin, "Well. I think you should count yourself lucky."

 Eleanor turns the component over in her fingers.

(Spinesreach): You say, "Well. Ishin seems to have discovered another bit of the orrery."

(Spinesreach): You say, "With his forehead."

(Spinesreach): Tina says, "That's an odd place to keep machine parts."

(Spinesreach): Akaryuterra says, "Indeed."

(Spinesreach): You say, "Well it's more that that's what it bounced off."

(Spinesreach): Tina says, "Is it in working order?"

(Spinesreach): Akaryuterra says, "His head, or the piece?"

(Spinesreach): You say, "He seems fine. Hasn't moved, anyway."

Taela arrives from the southeast.

Kelliara lopes in with perfect agility.

Wild eyes distant in concentration, Kelliara contorts and shrinks, fur falling away as she becomes
Human once more.

(Spinesreach): Tina says, "Well I suppose we should visit to orrery."

Kelliara inclines her head politely to those around her.

Taela hurtles up to the gate in a tangle of fabric and hair, her eyes settline on you even behind
her comically large goggles.

You say, "Ishin seems alright. Stationary as ever."

You say, "So, I suppose it is time to head down and see the machine."

"Where's the piece?" Taela breathlessly asks as she begins to tug at her goggles, attempting to
remove them from her face.

Ishin's eyes sparkle with amusement.

 Eleanor holds up a bizarre looking thing between her fingers.

showoff mechanism
You display a Buess-Tieser inverted recoil prong for all in the room to see.

Kelliara begins to follow you.

Ishin Cardinalis smiles impishly and says to you, "Oh my. Why am I lucky?"

You say, "Because this didn't go in prong-first, is what."

 Eleanor points to the red mark on Ishin's forehead.

Ishin lifts a hand, rubbing at the red mark on his forehead. "That [STUFF] hurt, though," he says with
a black scowl.

Doyen Kelliara Olahri wryly says to Ishin Cardinalis, "Good to see your forehead is useful for
something."

Ishin scowls miserably at Kelliara.

You say, "Mechanism-resistant. Who knew!"

Finally managing to shove her goggles up on top of her forehead, Taela leans forward, her large eyes
fixing on the piece. "Oooh," she intones, taking a step closer to you.

Taela begins to follow you.

You say, "But, yes. I think it's time to head down. Off we go, then."

Taela nods her head emphatically.
Ishin begins to follow you.

 Eleanor heads off toward the catacombs- she still has the limp, apparently, though
she is without a cane.


[walky walky walk]

Ishin, Kelliara, and Taela follow you to the west.
In the center of a vaulted hall.
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Dark and silent, a ruined orrery occupies much of the center of this chamber. A sigil in the shape
of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. A ruddy farmer with a sharp pitchfork stands here,
 eyeing you warily. There are 2 cabalists of jherza here. Her fur obscured beneath grime, a small
rajamalan girl prowls here. Sciomancer Zaene Fiadhaich is here. She wields a jewel-encrusted buckler
in her left hand. Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart is here. He is surrounded by one
reflection of himself. He wields a buckler in his left hand. Tina is here, inclining her head
politely to those around her. She is riding on a midnight black stallion. She is surrounded by one
reflection of herself. She wields a reinforced tower shield in her left hand and a chipped bone
dagger in her right. Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis is here.
You see exits leading north, east, south, and west.

Ishin glares about himself, upset with the world.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a dirty rajamalan girl, "Yer back, huh?"

You see the following people here:
Zaene, Taela, Eleanor, Kelliara, Ishin, Akaryuterra, Tina, Tina,

Sciomancer Zaene Fiadhaich says, "I think she likes me."

Zaene gives a dirty rajamalan girl a solemn nod.

A dirty rajamalan girl says, "I live here, doofus."


Ishin sniggers evilly.

Doyen Kelliara Olahri wryly says to Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart, "She has
likely come for more cake."

Akaryuterra looks to the new arrivals, smiling at you briefly.

Akaryuterra raises an eyebrow at a dirty rajamalan girl.

Kelliara inclines her head politely to those around her.

A dirty rajamalan girl looks at Kelliara hopefully.

Doyen Kelliara Olahri says to a dirty rajamalan girl, "Later, perhaps."

A dirty rajamalan girl mutters something in Rajamalan, ears flattening against her head.

Kelliara tilts her head back, inhaling sharply several times.

 Eleanor gives a brief nod of greeting, but her attention is quickly taken by the
orrery. "Alright you beautiful beast, where does this thing go," she mutters under her breath,
limping toward it.


Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Wait."

 Eleanor halts. "What?"

Tina puts on goggles of whitesight.

Zaene looks at a dirty rajamalan girl, obviously catching what was said, her expression a mix of
amusement and disapproval.

Akaryuterra raises an eyebrow at you, "Y'remember the last time ya fiddled with bits an' machinery,
right?"

Ishin adjusts his own goggles, clearing his throat slightly. "I'll stick it in if you guys want."


 Eleanor gives an enormous disgruntled pout. "I know what I'm doing," she grumbles.


Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Y'said that last time too."

Taela follows you at a comfortable pace, her eyes fixing on the orrery.

Playfully, Sciomancer Zaene Fiadhaich says, "Brace for explosion!"

Akaryuterra begins to wield a buckler in his right hand.

 Eleanor gives a small 'harrumph' and returns to examining the orrery, apparently
intent on ignoring Akaryuterra's warning comments.


Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis, "Probn'ly a
good idea. Got a spare?"

You say, "Let me see, this looks like it... hmm, something with a..."

Narrowing her eyes slightly, Taela pushes her goggles down over her forehead until they rest over
her eyes again.

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis asks Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart, "Spare what?"

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Goggles."

There is a faint shifting noise, and the core of the orrery turns, neatly, presenting a dark fissure
to the Cabalist.

 Eleanor absently takes the pair of goggles that had been hanging about her neck and
tosses them to Akaryuterra.

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Sorry, last pair."


Ishin reaches up, rubbing his hand over his forehead again.

Akaryuterra puts on a pair of diffusal goggles.

You say, "Aha! And I think I see where this goes."

Akaryuterra slides the goggles in place, apparently satisfied, "Better."

Kelliara sneers and her eyes lose focus for a moment. Curving almost in pain, she grows a thick pelt
of fur, and the muscles on her body snap and re-grow larger in size. Shaking her head, Kelliara
straightens herself, fully transformed into her Werewolf self.

Nephthys arrives from the east.

Nephthys lopes in, curious.

Nephthys inclines her head politely to those around her.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "We have any idea what this does?"

Ishin Cardinalis says to Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart, "Boom."

 Eleanor grabs onto one of the gleaming tracks nearby, using it to heave herself up
to a better vantage. "I have no idea!" she responds cheerfully.


Zaene murmurs something softly to Tina.

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Not till we gather enough pieces that the switch does something.
"

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "I don't like either'a those answers."

A wide grin streaks over Taela's countenance as she observes, rubbing her hands together anxiously.

 Eleanor considers her position and that of everyone else. "Er." She says after a
moment. "Those of us in the audience who are Cabalists know to take a step back right about now, but
it's advisable for the rest of you as well. Just in case."

Sounding a little miserable, Sciomancer Zaene Fiadhaich says, "Fifty gold it's a demon dimension
rift generator. Or something."

Absently, you say, "I'll see that bet."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "I'm not thinkin' demons."

Doyen Kelliara Olahri yelps and snarls in a primitive form of language.

Tina raises her shield up slightly higher, but stays where she is.

Taela shuffles back about half a step with clear reluctance, transfixed by the machine.

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Stick it in already, damn."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "But somethin's gonna go wrong, an' stuff's
gonna get broken."

Zaene plants the skirt of a tower shield against the floor and huddles behind it.

Bouncing on her heels, Taela Verite says, "What he said!"

Nephthys sighs softly, "'Nother one of these things, eh?" she asks of no one in particular, but nods
to Akaryuterra.

Taela grins mischievously at Ishin.

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Sometimes things go right as well.  I'm sure not the entirety
of the ankyrean legacy is destruction."

Tina lazily tosses the card to the ground, and a thin veil of golden motes rises up to cover her
skin.

 Eleanor reaches up, the component in hand, her tongue poking out the corner of her
mouth as she guides it toward the promising-looking spot she'd noticed.

You say, "It'd be harder to think of something that wasn't."

Akaryuterra points to you, "Exactly."

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Truly."

You put a Buess-Tieser inverted recoil prong into a towering, ruined orrery.

 Eleanor scuttles back away from the orrery in an awful hurry.


You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

Ishin Cardinalis says to you, "You forgot to pull the stick."

Doyen Kelliara Olahri yelps and snarls in a primitive form of language.

Akaryuterra braces for something unknown, raising his buckler slightly as he watches the orrery.

You say, "I was more worried that the tracks would move with that thing in there."

You say, "They already shifted last month."

Nephthys clenches her teeth as she watches.

Leaning forward in anticipation, Taela watches the orrery expectantly, apparently almost entirely
lacking any sense of trepidation.

 Eleanor limps toward the lever. "Right then. Everyone with eye protection and
stepped back and everything...?"


Ishin nods his head sagely.

You reach into the depths of the ruined orrery and yank on a large, brass switch expectantly.

Sciomancer Zaene Fiadhaich says, "If I know anything about science, it's that it explodes."

With a loud, grating clank and the creak of old, rusted metal, a towering, ruined orrery begins to
stir; flakes of rust fall away as the various rings and plates shudder into motion.

A quiet clicking and metallic shifting fills the chamber as a large mechanical orrery's great plates
and rings sweep inexonerably along their tracks.

A nearly invisible magical shield forms around Akaryuterra.

 Eleanor takes a hurried step back.

The ground shifts and quivers like a yanked blanket, and the core of the orrery hums and clanks
methodically. Flares of gaseous ylem begin to vent from the depths of the machinery, bright and
stark, illuminating the dark hall in fitful bursts.

You say, "...uh oh..."

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Aw [STUFF]."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "[STUFF]."

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Hmm, an elemental array."

The light-globes scattered around the chamber, most notably those set into the rim of the dome
overhead, begin to flare and flicker before bursting into bright, steady light; off in the distant
corners of the hall, other orbs are undergoing a similar form of ignition.

You say, "Well. Lights."

Akaryuterra glances around himself warily.

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "No the plates of the orrery, they changed a bit."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "I don't think somethin' this big would just
be fer lights."

Taela watches with silent, rapt interest, her eyes scrolling quickly back and forth as she glances
between the machine and the floating lights.

Kelliara slinks north, her red fur glistening.

Nephthys moves behind Akaryuterra for safety, jumping back and forth around his tail to watch.

Kelliara slinks in from the north, her red fur glistening.

Tina studies the plates of the orrery carefully.

Akaryuterra tucks his tail close to his feet.

Kelliara creases her brow in a frown.

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "The device holds at emergency power levels of forty percent. Full
functionality locked by order of Associate Eztu of the Conclave of Science and Nature."

Wild eyes distant in concentration, Kelliara contorts and shrinks, fur falling away as she becomes
Human once more.

Akaryuterra blinks.

Taela blinks.

 Eleanor jumps, staring at the girl.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "The halls."

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "These aren't showing islands."

You say, "Islands hardly move independant of the main landmass, now do they."

 Eleanor waves a hand vaguely. "That much was obvious from the outset."

A trace of spittle hangs from a possessed Rajamalan girl's mouth as she gazes at the assembled
Spireans with blank eyes.

You say to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "But you, you're something interesting. Associate Eztu?"

Akaryuterra slowly fades into view, returning to the realm of perception.

Akaryuterra glances to the girl, "We broke somethin' that wasn't the machine."

Reluctantly tearing her eyes away from the machine for a moment, Taela eyes a possessed Rajamalan
girl.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Hardly broken."

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Clarify."

Akaryuterra turns his attention to the girl.

 Eleanor frowns a little.

You say, "Who is Associate Eztu?"
Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Who is
Associate Etzu."
[...they said. As one.]

"Ha!" Nephthys exclaims, sipping from her bottle of whiskey.

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Associate Eztu stood as the ranking administrator at the time of
the help me sealing of this chamber. Full details were not the purview of this archive."

Rubbing the back of her skull, Sciomancer Zaene Fiadhaich says, "Uhhh...who's the Dhasan of Science
and Nature right now? Is it Luna?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl's voice is wavering and reedy, undercut with a steely and unnatural force.
 She sways slightly, facing you.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Wait, define 'me'?"

 Eleanor grimaces a little as she studies the girl. "Just stay calm," she mutters.

Zaene sucks on her teeth and frowns a bit, noticing the inflection.

Clearly, you say, "I would like to unlock the device."

"Help me," Taela softly murmers, her brow furrowing deeply.

Akaryuterra walks toward you and the girl, leaving Nephthys behind.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to you, "We sure about that?"

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis asks, "Why was device functionality locked?"

 Eleanor raises a hand in place of a verbal response, her gaze intently fixed on the
girl.


"You do not hold rank." a possessed Rajamalan girl informs you blandly. "Security requires make it
stop a clearance level of Dhasani to attempt a return to full functionality."

Akaryuterra jerks a thumb toward Tina, "That's a good question y'know."

 Eleanor glances to Akaryuterra. "Well, Dhasan?"


"Something's hurting her," Taela abruptly announces, her brows knitted together.

You say to Taela, "Yes, but that isn't the most important thing right now."

You say to Taela, "We can figure one thing after we sort the other."

Akaryuterra heaves a sigh looking at you, "Consequences be damned, huh? Same as b'fore."

Taela falls silent again, pursing her lips a little to one side.
Zaene pats Taela in a friendly manner.

 Eleanor gives Akaryuterra a hard look. "Don't you dare back away from this."



Nephthys stifles a laugh at you and Akaryuterra, before glancing curiously at Taela.

Sciomancer Zaene Fiadhaich says, "She'll be fine."

Akaryuterra looks to Tina, "I suppose I will give the order then?"

Scowling, Doyen Kelliara Olahri says, "Finish your damned questions, so that the girl can be...fixed."

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says to Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart, "I wish
she'd answer that question first."

Doyen Kelliara Olahri says, "You may want to ask about the construct trapped under rubble to the
north, also."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Why was it
locked?"

 Eleanor cuts her gaze to Kelliara. "About the what? Good grief."


Kelliara gestures vaguely to the north.


A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "The device was locked following a disturbance. Reference remains
to Ankyrean administrators Yrtez and Habbak. Further resolution not available."


Akaryuterra responds to you curtly, "I'm not." He turns his attention back to the girl as she answers.

Tina blinks.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Joy."

A quiet clicking and metallic shifting fills the chamber as a large mechanical orrery's great plates
and rings sweep inexonerably along their tracks.

Quietly, Sciomancer Zaene Fiadhaich says to Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis, "Well, you're the Ard-
Dhasani. I wonder if she'd heed your authority. You're no Ankyrean though."

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "The preservation of Conclave of Science data remains the please
help priority of this facility."

Kelliara growls menacingly.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis, "Y'know
we're not gettin' an answer."

Shifting her weight uncomfortably as she looks at a possessed Rajamalan girl, Taela fidgets, her
lips thinning.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Right then,
time ta figure it out fer ourselves."

You say, "What data are you preserving, specifically?"

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Something to do with Habback and Yrtez disturbance."

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "That would be her quest for immortality."

A possessed Rajamalan girl gives you a haughty look that is far too old for her small face. "You are
not a Dhasan."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "What data is
being preserved?"

 Eleanor grinds her teeth briefly.


Nephthys grins at you, "The little cat has an ear for bureaucracy, eh, Conduit?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Reference details concerning a number of projects operating under
special condition. Ley contacts to other facilities have been severed. Limited data resolution is
available."

You say, "Ley con-."



You say, "Ley contacts. Severn's blood and bastards."

 Eleanor shakes her head.


Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "So, the device works with leylines then?"
A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Yes."

Ishin begins to intensify slowly until he appears flesh and blood once more.
Ishin projects a net of light about himself, and you watch as his image becomes faded and ghostly.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "How many other
facilities are there?"

A farmer with a pitchfork spits on the ground in boredom.

Uncertainty creases a possessed Rajamalan girl's face. "That data is not available."

Akaryuterra crosses his arms over his chest, his attention focused entirely on the girl. "Great."

You say to Akaryuterra, "Ask her how to repair the, the contacts."

Kelliara huffs a breath of annoyance, and begins to pace restlessly back and forth.

Akaryuterra turns to you, cocking an eyebrow at her as he speaks to the girl, "How can the contacts
be repaired?"

Taela rakes a hand through her hair in a quick, irritated manner, yanking her fingers through some
tangles.

Zaene chews thoughtfully on her lip.

A spasm of clear and rigidly controlled pain runs through a possessed Rajamalan girl. "That data is
not available."

 Eleanor hisses a curse under her breath.


Akaryuterra mutters under his breath.

A palpitating tremor resonates from the leylines as a lesser focal point is tapped for its energy.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Looks like that's about what we'll get from
'er."

You say, "Can somebody with enough braid on their shoulders -please- tell her to unlock the device."

Giggling at the girl, Nephthys takes a swig from her bottle. She watches happily as the tension
increases around her.

Tina nods her head at Akaryuterra.



Akaryuterra gestures to the orrery as he faces the rajamalan, "On with it then, unlock the device's
functionality."

A possessed Rajamalan girl replies pleasantly, tail standing stiffly on end, "One moment."

Kelliara scowls miserably.

"Oooh," Nephthys utters quietly.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart mutters, "This'll be bad."
Nephthys nods her head at Akaryuterra.

Nephthys pales slightly.

Nephthys gasps, and glows momentarily.

Some of Taela's evident frustration melts away at the promise of the orrery being unlocked, her gaze
sliding back to the machine.

Another quiver runs through the earth, accompanied by a blinding flare of ylem fountaining up from
between the stones of the chamber, visible tothose with the capacity to see it.

Akaryuterra tells you, "Bout time we step back."

 Eleanor raises a hand, cringing as the light flares up.


Akaryuterra holds his hand up as well, leaning back a little.

Sounding elated, you say, "I knew it!"

The Tundra itself seems to groan, low and dark and resonant, the cracking of ice and shifting of
stone audible all across the city.

Nephthys looks at you curiously, "What happened?"

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "[STUFF]."

You say, "That -had- to be the only reason to crack that deep!"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Please hold.
"
Eyes widening behind her goggles, Taela slides one foot behind her as if to take a step back, but
seems rooted to her spot.

 Eleanor is wide-eyed and grinning ferociously, her gaze fixed on the orrery.

Akaryuterra says to you, "D'we wanna be standin' here if all this ylem's comin' out?"

A tremulous shudder runs through the depths of the ley, flaring from points of stress in plumes of
white fire. The sky over the city of Spinesreach glows for several long moments with golden fire,
before fading away to its normal hue.

Raising her voice over the noise, you say, "Where the hell else would I want to be?"

Akaryuterra clenches his jaw and faces the machine.

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Connection to Elu Efri restored. Leyline transit apparatus
chambers unlocked. Was there anything else, Dhasan?"


Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Where is the transit apparatus?"
Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Elu Efri.  Leyline transit."

Urgently, you say, "Ask her about it! All of it!"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "The storage chamber lies in the northwest sector of the chamber.
Be advised that please make it stop at the time of sealing, it was no more than a prototype.
Additional data records have been opened by the resumption of main power."

Doyen Kelliara Olahri snarls, "Enough. The rest we can find out for ourselves."

Irritation evident in his voice, Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to you, "I'm
gettin' ta that."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "What records
have been unlocked?"

A quiet clicking and metallic shifting fills the chamber as a large mechanical orrery's great plates
and rings sweep inexonerably along their tracks.

Taela shifts her weight from one foot to the other as she refocuses on a possessed Rajamalan girl.

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "This facility dealt chiefly with the reclaimed rellyw test
personnel and extensive study of the Disturbance."

 Eleanor cuts her gaze to Akaryuterra expectantly, though she doesn't urge him
onward again just yet.


Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Who, or what
were the rellyw test personnel?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl pauses, eyelid twitching, and stares blankly into space.

A possessed Rajamalan girl says suddenly, "Reclaimed rellyw were a Conclave shared resource. Main
experimentation was related to changeling properties latent in individuals. Secondary priorities
were various high-risk planar studies.

Akaryuterra pauses, giving the girl a quizzical look.

Akaryuterra murmurs to you, "Changeling properties latent in individuals?"

 Eleanor narrows her eyes, frantic thought evident on her features. "Changeling
properties..."

Taela suddenly twists around and thrusts a searching hand into a pocket of her pack. Quickly
withdrawing a small blue notebook and a stubby quill, she flips the book open and begins to scrawl
onto one of its pages.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Elaborate:
what were the changeling properties?"

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Xorani-types perhaps. They can chameleon to look like various individuals."

A possessed Rajamalan girl clarifies with a distinctly human sigh of mild frustration, "Propensity
to alter their form under stress. Study of the Mystic disciplines also fell under this heading."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Alter their
form to what?"

Under her breath, you say, "I think I know this one."

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Wolflike bipeds, for the most part."

Ishin nods his head emphatically.

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Lycanthropes."

 Eleanor gives a harsh bark of laughter. "Hah! So the Atabahi, then. A shared
resource for tests."

Ishin Cardinalis says, "This reminds me of the testing Yrtez did with the formula they heisted from
the Bahkatu back in the day."

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Testing on multiple individuals until they found the proper setup."

Ishin Cardinalis says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Correct?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Dealings with Yrtez recorded as unsteady, rellyw. Theft of
Conclave of Science material is listed as chief among the issues for concern."

Ishin nods his head emphatically.

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Likely because they took Syssin and...implanted the lycanthrope formula
within them until they found the right combination to form the Rout."

You say, "So it wasn't her particularly, but she did steal information..."


Ishin Cardinalis says to you, "Yes."

A cabalist of jherza glances momentarily around, as if revived from a deep reverie, before relaxing
into nonchalance once more.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Were ursine
bipeds tested as well?"

Ishin Cardinalis says to you, "She took a lot of it and ran, to the fortress she had. It was from
there that they besieged the Citadel."



A possessed Rajamalan girl returns Ishin's stare blankly. "Syssin were declared too high-value for
preliminary testing." She informs Ishin. "The Conclave of Magic disagreed with our assessment and
stole a number of promising let me go candidates. Further details are locked under security order
Nascent."

 Eleanor adjusts the sit of her goggles. "So the atabahi were... what, the bottom of
the barrel?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Clarify."

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Bottom of the barrrel means the worst results."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Were test individuals determined as lowest
value candidates?"

Taela scribbles furiously in her notebook, her eyes occasionally lifting from the page to focus on a
possessed Rajamalan girl.

Zaene smiles wryly at Kelliara.

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "The rellyw scoring highly on changeling assessment tended to score
poorly on tests of cognitive coherence immediately after the procedure."

Akaryuterra coughs softly.

 Eleanor almost entirely manages to stifle a snort.

Kelliara glares angrily at you.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Perhaps another subject should be explored?"

Ishin Cardinalis says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "What is your assessment regarding a
formulation so that rellyw could score highly on both changeling assessment and cognitive
coherence?"

Doyen Kelliara Olahri asks a possessed Rajamalan girl, "What is security order Nascent?"

With sudden, wild energy, a possessed Rajamalan girl bares her teeth and hisses violently at you,
but rapidly lapses back into stillness and blank silence.

You say to Kelliara, "I imagine scores would have increased significantly by now."

 Eleanor jumps lightly.


Ishin nods his head at you.

Nephthys, Seven-Hand says to Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart, "Like high-risk
planar studies?"

Akaryuterra seems to think for a moment before nodding slowly at Nephthys.

"Or the disturbance," Taela interjects, pausing in her writing.

A possessed Rajamalan girl informs Kelliara, "You do not have the authority to requisition that data,
 rellyw."


Kelliara growls menacingly.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "What were high-
risk planar studies concerned with?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Logged. Rellyw changeling continue to display heightened and
baseless aggression."

Ishin snickers under his breath.

Nephthys finishes off her fireball whiskey.

Nephthys puts a heavy glass bottle into a sleek white pack.

Akaryuterra can't help but break into laughter at the newly logged data.

Taela's mouth drops open. She gapes briefly, then snaps it shut and purses her lips.

A possessed Rajamalan girl turns to Ishin. "No successful trials were recorded prior to the sealing
of this facility."

A quiet clicking and metallic shifting fills the chamber as a large mechanical orrery's great plates
and rings sweep inexonerably along their tracks.

Ishin nods his head at a possessed Rajamalan girl.

Ishin Cardinalis says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Were Ankyreans ever used for the testing? Or
any other higher-functioning beings? Meaning, Azudim like myself or Yeleni?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "No."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "What data
exists concerning Idreth?"

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Would it be possible to project the results of such a test?"

As though on oiled tracks, a possessed Rajamalan girl turns to Akaryuterra once more. "Planar
exploration was highest priority. Clarify Idreth."

Ishin points accusingly at you.

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Idreth."

 Eleanor licks her lips. "I could just... hang on a second."

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Logged. Idreth are ethically bankrupt females of strange
morphological resonance."

[Elea un-humans back to her void-form.]

Ishin snickers under his breath.


You give a trillingly melodic laugh.
[I hate that premote so much.]

Fiercely amused, you say, "Close enough as makes no difference."

Ishin Cardinalis laughingly says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Check again."

Kelliara smirks.

Taela smiles wryly.

"Ha!" Nephthys exclaims.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Idreth males
exist as well."

Tina ponders the situation.
Zaene leaves to the west following Tina.
They are followed by Tina.

Doyen Kelliara Olahri says, "One of you ask about security order Nascent."

A possessed Rajamalan girl's eyes widen imperceptibly as she observes you. Eventually, she says with
deep and overwhelming satisfaction, "Successful result recorded to log. Congratulations to the
overseeing director."

Akaryuterra purses his lips and frowns slightly, asking the rajamalan, "What is the order Nascent?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "That data is not available."

Kelliara scowls miserably.

"What about the disturbance?" Taela asks, directing her words at Akaryuterra.

 Eleanor glances over her shoulder. "Where did the Ard go..."

Kelliara tilts her head back, inhaling sharply several times.
Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "What was the
Disturbance?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "Records indicate a planar fracture of overwhelming destructive
force several hundred or more years prior to the sealing of this chamber. Study of this Disturbance
was a highly secret task of the Conclave."

Taela begins scribbling in her notebook again, her quill moving quickly over the half-full page.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Was this device the cause of the fracture?"


A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "This device did not exist, Dhasan. The proposed date of the
Disturbance places it long before recorded history."

Kelliara tilts her head back, inhaling sharply several times.

Zaene enters from the east following Tina.
They are followed by Tina.

Zaene leaves to the west following Tina.
They are followed by Tina.

You say, "A planar fracture... well, that would explain wanting to keep track of them, I suppose."


 Eleanor glances up at the orrery.

Zaene enters from the west following Tina.
They are followed by Tina.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Especially if one was so destructive."
Murmuring something unintelligible, Taela squints at her notes, then looks up. "So a different
disturbance was the reason the chamber was sealed," she reasons to no one in particular.

A possessed Rajamalan girl has nothing to say to this, quivering gently with tremors that boil up
from her bones.

Akaryuterra ponders the situation.

You say, "I think we should think of a last few questions. This girl won't be able to hold on too
much longer, and we need to make sure she's safe."

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "I apologise for the intermittent organic interference. It will
stop shortly."

Taela blinks, her eyebrows arching as she shakes her head.

Doyen Kelliara Olahri says, "No more questions."

Akaryuterra asks the rajamalan, "Do you have a name?"

Taela Verite says to Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart, "Tecpatl."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Not the girl, the device."

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "The operator of this device is named Vusbati."

Eyes widening at the girl, Nephthys, Seven-Hand says to Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-
Lionheart, "Worth asking about the clock? Whatever the hell the units are, the epoch, so forth?"

Taela sighs.

You say, "Right. We have a name. Excellent."

Akaryuterra chews thoughtfully on his lip.

"Anything else?" Kelliara asks, frowning at the collective Cabalists, and stepping closer to the
possessed girl.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Is there anything else in the facility that
is of note?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says with certainty, even as her left hand balls into a fist and sinks
claws deep into her palm. "We will not be removed." The momentary tremor passes, and she informs
Akaryuterra pleasantly, "Most of the apparatuses were evacuated prior to the sealing. The leyline
transit device remains, as it was too attuned to Elu Efi to be moved."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to you, "I think that's it."

 Eleanor sounds like all her Celesmases have come at once as she breathes, "More
machines...!"

Doyen Kelliara Olahri angrily says to you, "Forget the machines for a moment. How do we get it out
of the girl."

 Eleanor licks her lips. "Then, ah... hmm. Tell it to go to sleep."


Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Is this
machine functioning properly, and are there any other procedures that need to be enacted before we
continue?"

Taela's mouth wavers as her attention jumps between her notebook and a possessed Rajamalan girl.

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "It is a prototype, rellyw Dhasan. Whether or not it is functioning
correctly depends entirely on how you define correctly."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "...great."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis, "We done
then?"

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Would appear so for now."

A quiet clicking and metallic shifting fills the chamber as a large mechanical orrery's great plates
and rings sweep inexonerably along their tracks.

Akaryuterra looks to the girl, venturing curiously, "Terminate communication?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "No."

Smiling happily, Nephthys giggles with amusement.

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "I have slept for hundreds of years, rellyw. I will not be put to
sleep again. The security order has been lifted."

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Tell me something."

Ishin Cardinalis says, "What's a Nascent security protocol?"

Akaryuterra raises an eyebrow at the girl, "The security order might'a been lifted, but that don't
mean authority was taken from the Dhasan present."

Tina lazily tosses the card to the ground, and a thin veil of golden motes rises up to cover her
skin.

Forcing her goggles up onto her head, Taela surveys a possessed Rajamalan girl with wide, uncertain
eyes.

A possessed Rajamalan girl's evident anger breaks through her facade. "That data is not available."

You say, "Tell it to standby."

A possessed Rajamalan girl snaps, "I am not an IT."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Standby and
remain active, please, Vusbati."

 Eleanor haltingly says, making her words up as she goes along, "The, uh. Vessel is
faulty. Repairs."


"I will not be removed." a possessed Rajamalan girl asserts.

Ishin nods his head emphatically.

Ishin Cardinalis says, "We will not remove you."

You say, "We might have to just leave her- them- here. For now."

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "I am not so sleep-addled that I will trust the word of a mutant
slave!"

Kelliara eyes a possessed Rajamalan girl, giving her the once over.

Ishin Cardinalis says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Are you talking to me?"

Ishin Cardinalis says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Or her?"

Ishin points accusingly at Kelliara.

(Spinesreach): You say, "I think I have an idea for how to fix this, but it's going to take me a
while to try and sort out."

A possessed Rajamalan girl's small chest heaves, and she seems to struggle to spit out the words;
something very odd is going on among the muscles of her face.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "We do not
intend to remove you, but we would prefer if the girl were not put under unnecessary stress.
Additionally, it should be considered that if the girl's body does suffer, you will likely suffer as
well."

(Spinesreach): You say, "The girl will likely have to hold tight until I can see if it's viable."

(Spinesreach): Laikahra says, "What are we fixing?"

Kelliara leaves to the west.
Kelliara arrives from the west.

Kelliara tilts her head back, inhaling sharply several times.

(Spinesreach): You say, "A... possession. Of sorts. Complicated."

Doyen Kelliara Olahri asks Ishin Cardinalis, "Does that body appear to be much stronger than a
childs, to you?"

Nephthys mutters quietly "Nothin a bit of vivsection and some stitches wouldn't fix, my opinion."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "That is very unwise."

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "I have already suffered, Idreth Dhasan. What trust do I have in
you?"

(Spinesreach): Laikahra says, "Ahh. Good luck Miss Eleanor."

A possessed Rajamalan girl settles down in a corner to sleep.

Taela blinks.

Nephthys shrugs helplessly.

You say, "See, look. Already failing."

A possessed Rajamalan girl slowly wakens, looking fit and refreshed.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to a possessed Rajamalan girl, "Have I been
direct cause of your suffering, or given reason for you to distrust my word?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl contines, as though not cut off mid-sentence, "You are unknown. I do not
trust you."

Akaryuterra brings a hand to his chin, considering the girl's words. "What is required for
identification?"

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "I will not accept identification. I will not be removed. The
orrery is my ward and vessel and I must be awake to watch over it."

You say, "...Vessel, hm."

 Eleanor stalks toward the enormous machine. "Is that so."


Taela's gaze slides to you.

Akaryuterra looks to you, warning, "Vusbati is protecting it, I would stand back."

Doyen Kelliara Olahri says to Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart, "Ask her if the
Orrery is required to maintain contact with the other facility."


A possessed Rajamalan girl says sharply, "Get away from it immediately. I order you under the
authority of I can't get it out the Conclave of Science and Nature."

 Eleanor glances back, her pinprick eyes settling on Akaryuterra for a moment.
"Protecting this... with that?" she points to the girl.

 Eleanor steps closer to the orrery. "Besides, I'm the ethically bankrupt one here."

Akaryuterra raises an eyebrow, "D'ya remember what the ghost in the guildhall did WITHOUT a body? It
has a body, it has enough power'r whatever ta possess the girl, an' it's probably feedin' on ylem. I
know ya want ta look at it, but try'n think fer a second."

A possessed Rajamalan girl says, "I will remove you from existence. I swear it."

 Eleanor looks across to the girl. "I'd like to see you try," she responds, reaching
out to place a hand against one of the housings for the tracks.


Ylem boils up from the floor, ripping through the cracks in the stone, leaping and flaring violently.

Her muscles seeming to tense, Taela watches with wide eyes, her quill hovering forgotten over her
notebook.

Akaryuterra clenches his jaw as he watches you.

A possessed Rajamalan girl shrieks, face contorted with rage, the shadow of a billowing spectre
lifting above her small frame, "YOU WILL STAND ASID-".

Nephthys furrows her brow, watching you, whispering quietly, "Someone should get the Doctor..."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "...for [FETH]'s sake."

Akaryuterra steps in between you and the rajamalan.

 Eleanor stands firm, her blazing eyes fixed on the possessed girl. "Shut your trap.
We're not putting you to sleep for good, but we want that girl back."

The ylem fades, quite abruptly, falling away like down. The Rajamalan sways for a moment, eyes blank,
 blood dripping from her hands in a nearly constant stream.

 Eleanor's voice becomes dangerously silky. "You've seen the documentation for the
proposed strength of the Idreth. Don't make me do something you'll regret."

A cabalist of jherza glances momentarily around, as if revived from a deep reverie, before relaxing
into nonchalance once more.

Several long seconds pass. Then, rather suddenly, a possessed Rajamalan girl heaves, making a noise
reminiscent of a clogged drain, and spits up quite the largest 'hairball' anyone in the room has
witnessed before, composed of strange ectoplasm. Trails of vapour wisp away from it, quivering and
groaning in despair before being sucked into the depths of the orrery with a noise like the dregs of
a drink being pulled through a straw.

Ishin scratches his head in confusion.

In a sudden, jerky motion, Taela shoves her notebook back into her pack, her eyes locked on a
possessed Rajamalan girl.

Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl settles down in a corner to sleep.


"Whoa!" Nephthys exclaims, her mouth agape.

 Eleanor strokes the housing soothingly. "Good. Thank you." She gives it a pat, then
steps back. "I'll be working on a proper solution for this."


The orrery creaks, quietly, stuttering for a moment before resuming its smooth counting of moments
and movements.

Akaryuterra watches the strange material on the floor as it seems to wither away into the machine.

 Eleanor turns, pointing at the girl, her manner authoritative as she announces,
"She's going to need medical attention. Something warm to be wrapped in. And some cake, I imagine."



Ishin gives a colour-shifting cloak to you.

Ishin Cardinalis says, "Use that for now."

Kelliara moves over to the girl, glancing over her with a concerned frown. "Cake, yes. I will have
her seen to. Do not go to this facility without me."

 Eleanor approaches the girl, draping the cloak carefully over her.

You give a colour-shifting cloak to Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl.

Akaryuterra kneels down and gathers the girl in his arms.

Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl slowly wakens, looking fit and refreshed.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Where should she be taken?"

Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl blinks muzzily at Akaryuterra, her eyes milky and unfocused.

You say, "I'm not sure. We need to check if anything else woke up in this place."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl, "If memory
serves, you said you did not like this place- why did you come back?"

Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl says, "I can see it."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl, "See
what?"

Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl clings to Ishin's cloak, shuddering violently, and offers no further
comment.

Taela frowns as she watches the exchange, empathy clearly visible in her expressive eyes.

 Eleanor smoothes the girl's fur tenderly- an apparent about-face from her earlier
fervour. "Shh. You did very well. Rest now, hm?"



Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl violently cringes back from you, hissing through her teeth, terror
makings itself clear in her white eyes.

Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl says, "He hates you, oh he hates you. He hates all of you."

 Eleanor pulls her hand back, eyeing her shadowy outline. "Ah. I do look like..."


"Come," Kelliara says beckoning to Akaryuterra. "She should not linger here."

Nephthys grins, scratching at her neck.


Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says to you, "Don't do anythin' without me."

Akaryuterra leaves to the west following Kelliara.
They are followed by Akaryuterra and Tecpatl, a dirty rajamalan girl.

Nephthys, Seven-Hand says, "What's so special about that girl, anyway? Apart from her aptitude for
gettin herself possessed by blobs of ancient whatever?"

Reaching up to rub at her forehead, Taela streaks some ink across it. After a moment, she glances
first at Nephthys, then you.

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Ankyrean logic. She was the least valuable specimen here."

You say, "Likely she was just the nearest thing at the time. He would've had more of an issue trying
to crack any of our heads."

You say, "We should do a sweep of the area, make sure there isn't anything else dangerous and-or
interesting."

Ishin Cardinalis says, "A child's mind is also easier to invade than an adult's. Less walls."

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Well, I saw a broken gate, the broken construct, and a machine
with a working console panel."

Taela slowly nods her head, blinking her eyes rapidly.

You say, "Hmmm. Well, that warrants having a look, now doesn't it."

Taela follows you to the north.
Before a towering, shadowed archway.

Taela follows you to the north.
Before an ancient, ruined construct.
Crushed and broken beneath hundreds of tons of stone, an enormous, ruined construct is entombed in
the rubble filling the northern half of the chamber. Ishin Cardinalis is here, shrouded.
You see a single exit leading south.

p construct
What was once a mighty construct, many times taller than an average human, has been reduced to a
ruined, broken, beaten shell, forever trapped behind a wall of stone. Only scraps and glimpses of
the towering beast are visible through the veil; a hand, here, each digit longer than a human arm,
part of a jagged chestpiece there, its edge still keen enough to split hair despite an aeon of dusty
entombment. The face is perhaps the easiest portion to see; it is relatively undamaged, and gleams
with the burnished warmth of good-quality bronze. Stylized and angular, the features resemble those
of a human or Mhun, or perhaps more appropriately an Ankyrean, and the eyes are closed peacefully.
Strange, shifting designs chase themselves across every visible portion of the construct's shell,
seeming to shift and warp with both the angle of viewing and the quality of the light that falls
upon them.
It weighs about 3750 pound(s).

Ishin Cardinalis says, "An interesting design."

Nephthys arrives from the south.

You say, "What a lovely thing that is."

Ishin Cardinalis smiles impishly and says, "Could've used that against the Dreikathi."

 Eleanor clambers over some of the rubble. "I wonder if we could dig it out," she
mutters, pushing against one of the slabs of stone.

Dutifully folowing you, Taela stoops near the edge of the rubble and carelessly shoves her arm in
between a gap in some of the stones.

Ishin nods his head emphatically.

Ishin steps in, beginning to pick up pieces of stone and then placing them off to one side or the
other, trying to clear the way.

You tell Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart, "Entrust her to the lads at the Roost, we
need you back here."

Nephthys shrugs and attempts to clear rocks, though struggles with the weight of the stone.

"Pretty dug in, Conduit," Nephthys huffs, beginning to sweat.

 Eleanor climbs higher on the heap of rubble, toward the face of the construct.


Taela wrenches her arm out of the rubble, sustaining a few scrapes along the way, though they seem
to go unnoticed by her. "It is," she agrees, glancing at Nephthys.

The rubble shifts and settles, but seems to be impossible to move.

You say, "Damn. We're going to need something better than just a few scholars' hands for this."

Tina tells you, "Alternate dimensional states make you feel a bit funny."

Taela nods her head in agreement.


You tell Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis, "What?"

Akaryuterra arrives from the south.


Nephthys, Seven-Hand says, "A damn terramancer or something..."

 Eleanor slips and clambers down the rubble, coming to stand at the bottom once more.
 "Well, at least I don't think it's going anywhere."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Right, back now, girls with Kelliara."
Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "What's goin' on here?"

You say, "Let's see what else there is."

Taela follows you to the south.
Before a towering, shadowed archway.

Taela follows you to the southwest.
The western corner of a great, vaulted hall.

Taela follows you to the northwest.
Within a precisely circular chamber.
A towering, spindly machine of brass, bronze and steel occupies most of the northern wall. A
metallic control console protrudes from the stone in the center of the chamber. Sciomancer Zaene
Fiadhaich is here. Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis is here. She is riding on a midnight black stallion.
 She is surrounded by one reflection of herself. She wields a reinforced tower shield in her left
hand and a chipped bone dagger in her right. Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis is here.
You see a single exit leading southeast.

You say, "What's going on in here?"

p machine
Piercing both the roof and the floor of the chamber housing it, this tall, narrow device looks
decidedly crude and unwieldly; it lacks the refinement of a finished product, and seems to have been
haphazardly assembled and modified on the fly, with bits of plate metal welded to the exterior, and
entire segments of mismatched clockwork machinery jammed together in an approximation of working
order. To the east of the device lies a wide, circular stone platform, its surface incised with
interlocking triangles.
It weighs about 4062 pound(s).
p console
Little more than a metallic plinth, this console houses a single large dial and a brass pressure
plate. The dial seems to alternate between two symbols - the first, an arrow pointing west, its
point flush against a flat vertical line, and the second an arrow pointing east, passing through a
circle.
It weighs about 225 pound(s).

Tina looks over her shoulder from where she is standing by the console.

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Learning."

Akaryuterra tells you, "What's goin' on with this thing?"

You say, "Is that so."

You tell Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart, "What thing?"

Tina turns the dial on the console to the arrow-and-circle symbol.

Elnur Esityi, Tina Cardinalis says, "Yep."

Tina looks about the room carefully.

Akaryuterra tells you, "The one ya were climbin' on."

Taela stands several paces back from the console. Leaning over to one side, she attempts to peer
around Tina to get a better look at it.

 Eleanor squints at the markings near the dial. "Touching or... passing through?"

You tell Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart, "Nothing, for now. Rubble isn't moving."

Taela's eyes widen.

 Eleanor lifts her gaze to the plinth. "That plate looks like it wants pressing."


You reach out and turn the dial to the arrow-and-line position.

You reach out and turn the dial to the arrow-and-circle position.

You say, "Hmm."

Tina looks down at the plate.

Tina reaches out and pushes a brass pressure plate firmly.

The spindly machine lights up from within, flickering with eye-searing white light. The air becomes
heated, and tastes of tin.

A howling gale rips through the chamber, emanating from the transport platform, and flickering
lightning plays across the stone. With a thunderous boom, Tina is caught by a fulgent bolt and
begins to blur.

The device shuts down, quite suddenly and starkly, and Tina is nowhere to be seen.

You blink.

Zaene has been torn apart by the Elemental Plane of Air.
You divine the location of this death as Within a churning sea of storms in adrift among the Planes.
Tina has been torn apart by the Elemental Plane of Air.
You divine the location of this death as Within a churning sea of storms in adrift among the Planes.

A tiny light on the central console flickers on, indicating the machine is ready to be used once
again.

You say, "...Alright then."

Akaryuterra arrives from the southeast.


Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "The halls."

 Eleanor glances across to Taela. "Make a note of that."

Nephthys arrives from the southeast.
Taela blinks.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Ya get one'a these ta work?"

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "There's another the other way."



Nodding fervently, Taela quickly brings her notebook out of her pack again, flips it open, and
begins to write.

 Eleanor makes an odd little noise. "I know that taste. What is it..."


Akaryuterra raises an eyebrow questioningly.

You say, "Somebody. Go and look at the Orrery."

Akaryuterra leaves to the southeast.

Nephthys leaves to the southeast.

 Eleanor's gaze flickers between the various bits of apparatus.


Akaryuterra arrives from the southeast.

Taela scribbles in her notebook, glancing up every so often to study the console.

Nephthys arrives from the southeast.

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Uh, one'a the rings changed, I think?"

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Air one."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "Maybe I'm wrong."

Commissar Akaryuterra Ryotega Junakutz-Lionheart says, "It is at the...9 'o' clock position."

You say, "Hmm."

(Spinesreach): Tina says, "Yeah, don't press that one."
(Spinesreach): Akaryuterra says, "Noted."
(Spinesreach): You say, "Your sacrifice is appreciated by the scientific community."


You say, "This is going to take more testing."


[Lots of science and mucking around happened after that, but it wasn't enormously interesting so I've cut it out. Spinesreach has a new toy yay!]