Part 2-3: Revelations

"No problem" She says nodding to Azreal, who promptly begings to hack into the fallen construct.

"No problem," Jiao says. "I believe Psychlis knows more about these constructs than I do."

Behind them, the Vikings toss sliced bits of the construct into the wooden cages, luring the remaining rust monsters in. A large one with an elongated belly, presumably the queen, is the last to enter the cages. As the Vikings haul the cages away, Caldeus' voice fills the room.

"Excellent work dealing with those wretched ferrovores," the dwarf says. "Now, you've undoubtedly had a long day. Have some rest, and we shall discuss our course of action tomorrow."

The party leaves the damaged industrial sector, returning to their rooms. Some of them fall asleep faster than others, but they wake up the following morning well rested. They assemble at the terminal device that Psychlis used the previous day, and Caldeus' face appears on it. Brandon walks into the room, Sven One-Eye beside him.

"Again, my thanks in dealing with the rogue construct and ferrovores," Caldeus says. "But the question still remains: Which manner of automatons would you desire to accompany you to your next destination?"

"I've sent the rust monsters back to Newton," Brandon says, turning to the others. "I've recovered six rust monsters, including the queen. Your balance here has another 8000 gold added to it."

"But where next?" Jiao asked. "Obviously, there's still two more orbs to find. One in Newton, and the other in Byzantium."

"That is what I wanted to ask you," Brandon says. "Sven and Psychlis may know of some trustworthy souls in Byzantium, but the city is a hotbed of conspiracy and fear now. The war in Newton continues, but I fear what happens as the stalemate drags on. We face either conspiracy or war. Which would you prefer?"

"Of course, as we will use the portal to get to our next destination," Brandon says. "Of course, the city may be harder for your mount to navigate than the island of Newton."

"Oh yes, some fresh air should be good for us all!" Hans claps excitedly, "But we should probably put these ferovores to use soon if we are going to at all... I don't like the idea of them sitting around such valuable equipment. Don't you agree Caldeus?"

Turning to Caldeus, Hans lowers his voice. "I would also be happy to move some of the manufactured goods you mentioned earlier. What is nature of the merchandise?"

"My cargo for you depends on whether you go to the island or city," Caldeus replies to Hans. "But rest assured, I will need human partners to organize commercial and political deals."

---

A map of the island appears, but there are distortions rippling it outwards. Psychlis attempts to focus it, and cancel the interference.

[Spellcraft check=16]

The full island appears, roughly a circular island surrounded by rocky cliffs to the west and north, but shallower beaches to the south and east. The hills rose the further towards the western side of the island one got. In the easternmost point of the island, a peninsula sticks out slightly. On this peninsula is a brick and metal structure of some kind, with smokestacks issuing black clouds into the air. Some kind of ash covers the tree trunks, turning them black and gray. Some undoubtedly foul substance is discharged into the ocean by a pipe.

Nearby is a warehouse-like structure, a set of barracks, and a dock of some kind. The dock made of earth fill, sediment dumped into the water. A number of bare chested and forlorn individuals dump additional dirt as an overseer whips one. The overseer is clad in a gray and white uniform of some kind.

On the center of the island is a settlement of some kind. It's a town of no more than a thousand people, but there are few signs of activity. The eastern half of the town, near the docks, is fortified by soldiers wielding both firearms and other weapons, their uniforms likewise a mixture of the gray uniform, chainmail, and traditional armor. A pair of soldiers hit a random man walking down the street, laughing as he crawls off.

The western side of the town is fortified by soldiers with a different color uniform. Some were blue and green outfits, but their traditional armors are largely leather, hide, and ironwood platemail. Their weapons are likewise a blend of old and new, but there seem to be more ranged weapons with melee ones being largely tools or utility items. The western half is noticeably greener than the eastern side of the city, which is covered by ashfall from the factory.

Between the two sides lies a deserted wasteland, a no man's land that few soldiers move across. Only scavengers and large insects seem to thrive there. Whenever an insect gets close to the makeshift barricades in the streets, it is shot at. The woods, meanwhile, engulf the rest of the island, including much of the hills. Parts of the forest, however, are scarred and burnt beyond recognition. Distinctly druidic stonework is seen in a few locations on the east and west, recognized immediately by Leath and Psychlis.

"Can you focus closer?" Jiao asks.

"Thaumaturgical aura maps displayed," the machine replies.

A number of colored auras appear where the distortions originated, overlaying the original map. Centered at the factory is a dark blue circle, which Psychlis, Jiao, and Alicia recognize as similar to the spheres, given the notes beneath it.

[Knowledge (nature) check for Leath=12]

White lines connect the circles on the map like a spider web, which Leath recognizes as ley lines. The ones on the western side of the island are unaffected, if not enhanced. The ones on the eastern side, however, glow a sickly green instead. He imagines they correspond to some kind of contamination (or lack therefore of) on each side.

Meanwhile, Alicia spots a slight aura near the northwest that glows a shade of purple. Symbols in celestial and a stranger tongue are displayed beneath it.

[Knowledge (planes) check for Alicia: 15]

The aura seems to point out some kind of artifact of note to planar transit and summoning. A label suggests the possibility of it belonging to Epeus of Corinth.

There's something else that catches Psychlis' attention. A ship docks at the port, a galley similar to ones in the Aegean. The flag it flies is a blue cross with four claw-like projections around it, on a white background. He instantly recognizes it as a Byzantine naval ensign. A number of men in chains are lead off the gangplank, while a merchant and the overseer from earlier begin talking. He's fortunate enough to catch a snippet of the conversation.

"Here's some brigands we captured, smuggled out of the dungeon and ready for your army," the Greek man says. "Now, how about my money and cargo?"

"Patience," the overseer says. "The boss has a new shipment of muskets ready to go out, as well as some...special things."

"Who do I deliver them to again?" the merchant asks.

A metallic clang resounds as a slave drops a metal container. Both men turn to see the source.

"Careful with that!" the overseer whips him. "That's worth more than you are!"

Suddenly, the feed gives out, replaced by strange distortions.

"Scrying blocked by interference," the machine updates.

"I don't like this," Jiao notes. "What if one of the sides on Newton is behind the troubles in Byzantium, and is sending advanced weapons there? Psychlis, imagine what would happen if one of those cults or a rebel group gets a hold of firepower like that."

"This is troubling," Brandon sighs. "The taint coming from Newton may contaminate other lands as well. But perhaps we could find information on what kind of weapons were sent to Byzantium?"

"Assuming there's nothing big in Byzantium about to go down," Jiao says. "Alicia, what are your thoughts?"