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Post by kooshster on Dec 19, 2013 18:47:45 GMT
Psychlis shoots a sharp look at Hans. "It's asking for identification. It needs to know WHAT to update."
He walks up to one of the spiders, keeping a wary eye on the electric prods. "I'm Schloarch Psychlis Phobos. I've recently been appointed, which is why I don't show up in the records. This is my research team. Update your registry to allow full access to the facility, including any restricted areas."
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Post by henwen88 on Dec 19, 2013 22:55:23 GMT
Leath fights to keep from laughing to himself at the thought of being taken for a researcher. He would laugh, too, at the idea of artificial spiders, if it weren't so real and so sad. "These are the things the learned apply their efforts to," he thought. "Making simulacra (there's a word they would love) of the wild things of the earth, things they can command and control, rather than enjoying and exploring the wildness of the earth itself."
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Post by Admin on Dec 20, 2013 6:49:07 GMT
[Psychlis Bluff check=9, vs. system's Sense Motive=5]
"Scholarch profile updated. Do you wish to hear an executive summary of the research?" the voice asks. "Automated testing has commenced for interim period, with Annexes A and B expanded into hostile hominid camps. Hominid specimens of ten races available for combat scenarios, biopsy, mating, or other protocols in Standard Battery. Master Intelligence remains offline, with Sleepers excluded from control network."
Suddenly, one of the reptilian creatures leaps out of the pit towards the party, only for the spider constructs to unleash a torrent of lightning.
"Escaped subject euthanized. Escape venue noted for future repair. Commencing new combat test."
In the pit below, the remaining creature is slain by the construct. The portal opens again, and the body vanishes. This time, a human man walks out. From his golden beard, battle axe, and armor, he's clearly a local warrior. He almost reaches the height of the pit by himself. Alone, he sees two constructs bearing down on him.
"By the All-Father, what is this mad place?" he shouts. "And who are you?"
He sees the constructs advancing towards him with drill and blade like appendages now readied. "What is this madness?" he cries as he raises his shield.
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Post by kooshster on Dec 22, 2013 22:26:28 GMT
Seeing his companions silent either from befuddlement or disgust, Psychlis tears his vision away from what looks to be a slaughter down below. "Pause combat research!" he cries in a near-panic. "Redirect resources towards matching for mating and other protocols in Standard Battery. Bring me your findings when it's compiled."
"Biopsy" didn't have a very pleasant ring to it. "Mating" and whatever "other protocols" meant might buy them enough time to investigate this place further, keep the spiders and whatever else haunted this mad place busy, and them able to find the orb and get out before this "Scholarch" title forced him to make any more compromising decisions.
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Post by henwen88 on Dec 23, 2013 20:32:46 GMT
Leath waits at the edge of the pit to see if Psychlis's command works. If it fails, he is prepared to fling himself into the pit on top of the unnatural things and try to aid the human in escaping. His hatred of these metal things (and desire to keep humans from their clutches) is nearly overcoming his fear of them.
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Post by Admin on Dec 24, 2013 4:48:17 GMT
Immediately, the constructs cease their advance, and descend within trap doors in the floor. The arena is now empty, save a confused and angry Viking.
"Error," says the voice to Psychlis. "Mating records suggest biological incompatibility between specimens. Do you desire a list?"
---
"Let me help," Leath feels a hand on his shoulder, as he stands next to an opening in the viewing window. Jiao hands him a bundle of rope, and sets off tying the other end to a nearby column. He tosses the other end down into the pit, where the man stares up at them.
"Who are you?" he shouts at Leath and Jiao.
"We're adventurers investigating this mad place," Jiao says. "And you?"
"My warband was set upon by those metal creatures on the road, and the next thing I recall is finding myself in some strange prison," he says. "Wait, I heard the cries of others with I was locked up. We must search for my fellow warriors!"
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Post by kooshster on Dec 24, 2013 14:14:40 GMT
"Yeah, sure, get me a list," Psychlis says, feeling entirely too comfortable with talking to this mechanical creature for his own liking. At least it'd give them an idea about how many of this Viking warrior's kin were still alive. "Also, err, tell me how to find them. My team needs to...inspect them myself before I decide on the next course of action."
Looking at Leath and Jiao, he shrugs. "If these creatures think I'm the Scholarch, we might as well get some use out of it."
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Post by Admin on Dec 24, 2013 23:10:58 GMT
"Current specimens in holding cells include 4 Northern European human males, 2 Northern European human females, 3 elves of unknown ethnicity, 2 gnomes, one male dwarf, 2 orcs, and a female sheep. Some may require medical attention," the voice says. "Do you wish them moved to the Laboratory?"
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Post by jon on Dec 26, 2013 10:55:33 GMT
Hans sighs. Everything is going smoothly but he senses that this will not last. "This could get a little hairy... that sounds like a pretty diverse group. If they all end up in one room we may have difficulty containing them."
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Post by kooshster on Dec 26, 2013 13:04:33 GMT
"Alternatively, if we let them loose somewhere else in the facility, that might provide the distraction we need," Psychlis whispers, not wanting the spider-like automaton to hear. "Plus, who knows? It may help us down the line should they break out."
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Post by Admin on Dec 26, 2013 19:32:03 GMT
The Viking, now having climbed to the party, addresses Psychlis. "Have you seen my warband?"
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Post by henwen88 on Dec 27, 2013 18:44:10 GMT
"We should do the right thing by these captives, whatever that is," Leath says to the group, then adds quietly, "but let's not forget what we came for."
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Post by jon on Dec 28, 2013 22:53:44 GMT
"Agreed..." Hans sighs. [can I inspect the chamber yet? perception/detect magic]
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Post by tengen on Dec 29, 2013 5:33:22 GMT
she did not even realize she had been holding her breath until she released a sigh of relief over how that was handled. She recomposes herself eyeing the Viking warily before whispering to the others " Yes, maybe our scholarch can point us to that subject of study." She say giving Phobos a hopeful smile.
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Post by Admin on Dec 29, 2013 21:56:55 GMT
"My friend, we will try to find your warband, but there is a cursed artifact we are here to neutralize," Jiao says to the Viking.
"I do not care! I want to know the fate of my kin, whether they linger here or met a glorious death and rose to the High Hall!" he shouts.
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"Subjects can be euthanized, relocated to central lab, or remain in current holding area," the voice says to Phobos. "Orders, scholarch?"
---
The chamber is a globular structure with a semi-opaque material covering the edges. There are buzzing copper and brass threads all throughout it, undoubtedly carrying lightning. Within the center, however, is an overwhelming aura of conjuration magic, unmistakably divine. Hans realizes it is almost identical to the strange orb he saw at Vizzini's estate. The location it's sealed within seems to draw power from it, perhaps in addition to safe containment and other functions. The orb is within a small briefcase-like box within the center of the sphere, so it likely can be safely removed and handled.
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