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Logs
Feb 15, 2010 21:33:30 GMT
Post by Edivad on Feb 15, 2010 21:33:30 GMT
Edivad: A sudden, terribly loud crash - as if the whole building or at least part of it had collapsed or exploded - woke the three from their slumber on the uncomfortable dull gray floor. It was hard to guess for how long they had been in that state it might have been mere hours, days, perhaps even months or years or what they were doing there. Perhaps Master Tangren had gathered them here for some purpose of his and given proper instructions, but if that was the case they could not remember, for their minds were too clouded and their memories too hazy.
Ophelia: Ophelia sat up and shook her head. Something was wrong, she couldn't quite place it, but she knew something was wrong. Seeing the other two people in the room in a similar state, Ophelia stood up, her dress, which had been damaged in her sleep, fixing itself. Waiting for the other two to get up, she looked around the room and took stock of the situation.
Jas: Jas opened his blue eyes and pulled his blond hair out of the way of his eyes. His eyes blurred for a moment before focusing on the surrounding. He immediately for something on his chest and relived as he still got it, a crystal shard which looked... ominous. He settled down, his clothes are of dazzling mixture of blue, black and yellow.
the Shell: the clang and rustle of shifting metal filled the air as a strange form rose up from the floor. The creature was huge, well over six feet tall and enormously broad, entirely covered with dark grey armour. From a distance, one might have mistaken it for conventional plate mail, but this did not bear close examination. Though plainly metal the armour lacked any joints or hinges, instead simply adhering to the flesh beneath like a second skin. Indeed it was only because of the helm that it was apparent that there even was flesh beneath the metal. Two round contusions at eye-height were set into the armour, cross-shaped slits enabling the being to see, and there were a number of very small air holes near the nose and mouth. Yet there was a face on the helm...and it moved. As the being rose it glanced around the room, and the helm, as if fluid, shifted, a look of slight puzzlement replacing the blank expression it had worn a moment before.
"What has happened?" said the Shell. Its voice lacked any characteristics typical of either male or female inflection, coming closest to the tones of a eunuch, though much deeper. whispering to Ophelia, Jas, Some sounds, possibly footsteps, could be heard from the side of the transulucent gate, as if something was approaching.
Edivad: The room they were in was hexagonal and with a high ceiling at least 20' feet and with walls made of an unknown, lustrous black material. It looked to be in less than pristine condition, and there were small cracks in both the walls and floor obviously something related to their sudden awakening. Set in the walls were three black doors of the same material and a massive gate made of a weird, faintly glowing and translucent crystalline substance. All of this was illuminated by a glowing, blood-red crystal at the centre of the room, about ten feet wide and fourteen high.
the Shell: the Shell wandered over to the strange glowing gate, examining it
Ophelia: Ophelia put a hand to her head. "You're the Shell, correct?" She said to the armored being. "And you, Jas isn't it? Either of you know what's going on?"
the Shell: "I am," the Shell replied in its androgynous monotone. "I do not know. We have been asleep."
Ophelia: "I think that's rather apparent given our condition." Ophelia responded, somewhat testily and glanced at the three other doors before looking at the crystal wall.
Jas: Jas shook his head, his voice softly deep, "No." His hand touched his forehead, "No, I do not recall it... Ophelia..." He glanced up at the gate sharply, "Something or someone is approaching the gate!"
the Shell: the Shell readied a large metal shield and warhammer and took a few steps back from the gate
whispering to the Shell, Ophelia, They noticed that the gate was fairly transparent - and with some effort, things on the other side could be seen - and that it had no obvious mechanism for opening, though there was obviously some magical means to do so.
whispering to Jas, Jas remembered something about that kind of translucent gate. They were connected to Master Tangren and his First, and as such, they could be opened by touching them and concentrating.
Ophelia: "Of course there's someone on the other side of it. It's a gate afterall." Ophelia said, resting a hand on her hip in a bored fashion.
Jas: He frowned for a moment as if he is trying to recall something, "The gate is connected somewhat with Master and us. It can be opened by toching them and concentrating..." He approached the gate and touch the gate while concentrating at it.
Edivad: With some effort, they could see through the translucent gate: there was a courtyard, the floor almost completely covered with crystal shards and dust of various colours that shimmered in the sunlight. Amongst the debris, some crystal formations were still standing all partially shattered or broken off, and some only a foot tall, but others were pillars about as tall as a man. They were vaguely reminiscent of twisted trees indeed it almost looked like the area was or had been, considering its conditions now some kind of garden of crystals. A bit farther in the distance they could see a tight group of humanoid, possibly armored figures approaching...
Edivad: As Jas touched it, the crystal gate somehow split in two and disappeared into the sides of the walls.
the Shell: the Shell strode slowly and deliberately through the gate, making its way towards the group of approaching figures
Edivad: The armored figures kept advancing, and now they could get a better sight at them - they were mostly human shaped under their armour, but imposing and wearing gear of obviously fiendish origin. Nine of them, five had heavy armour - possibly scale mails - shields and heavy looking warhammers while another four, looking not as large but nimbler, wielded bows and shortswords.
Ophelia: Ophelia shrugged at the gate opening and casually followed the Shell through it.
the Shell: the Shell took a few more steps towards them. "You, halt," it said, pointing with its warhammer, seeming totally undeterred by their greatly superior numbers. "What has happened in this place? Who are you?"
Jas: Jas followed the Shell and decided to translate the Shell into other unworldly language...
Edivad: No reply came as the soldiers in the front marched onward, covering themselves with their large shields.
Jas: Jas merely smiled as shifting blue haze surrounding around him and as he reached out, a massive blue warping blade appeared, following his hand. He moved forward, slightly.
Edivad: The archers, as silent as the footmen, took a single step forward and fired a barrage of arrows at the shell. Most bounced off, but a couple slipped through the armour and did some damage.
the Shell: a look of mild irritation flowed across the Shell's helm before it moved back. It planted itself firmly, like a bull readying to rush at a matador, eyeing the soldiers
whispering to the Shell, Ophelia, from the way they marched and coordinated their movements, it was quite obvious that the aggressors were devil soldiers - although not particularly powerful individually, compared to other fiends, they were exceptionally disciplined and skilled at team work.
Ophelia: Seeing the arrows strike the Shell, Ophelia's eyes narrowed. "It seems we have some lost little children playing at soldier." She said, an edge of menace in her voice as a palpable aura of hate began to radiate from her.
Edivad: One of the fiends, who looked particularly imposing and wore somewhat heavier armour than the others, surveyed the trio for a moment before advancing behind the others.
the Shell: as the first of the fiends came near the Shell tore forward. Smashing into the soldier, the Shell sent it cartwheeling backwards, smashing to the ground at its leaders' feet
Edivad: The other soldiers slowed their advance, trying not to get too far from their now prone companion.
Ophelia: Ophelia stepped forward, crunching crystal under her feet. Casting her glance across the array of shields in front of the Shell, a burst of black lightning shot out of the ground, the bolts driving through all three of the soldiers. "A smart decision would be to run away now." She advised them in infernal as a small creature vaugly resembling a cross between a lizard and a snake crawled out from under her sleeve. Pointing her arm at one of the devils, the creature's mouth opened grotequely large and launched a stream of green fluid at the demon, but the bile fell short.
Jas: Jas started slowly and charged at the middle soldier, silently and landed a might blow at his new enemy. Yet it was merely blocked by the shield...
Edivad: The archers moved to get a better aim at the shell, and unleashed another barrage. Two arrows missed, striking the nearby crystal pillar while another glanced off the Shell barely grazing him, but the fourth struck tit slipping through the plates of armour and critically wounding it.
Edivad: Two soldiers, including the one who had been knocked down and got back to its feet, attacked the Shell but they did more damage to their weapons than to it. Meanwhile the other two tried to flank Jas, but their powerful blows went wide
the Shell: the Shell knocked aside the shield of one of the demons aside then smashed it in the face with its hammer. It took a slight step, trying to put one of the crystal pillars between it and the archers
Jas: Jas launched one more attack on his enemy and this time, it slided beside the shield and wounded him mortally. He then slammed his shining blade onto another soldier but sadly it missed.
Ophelia: As the devil fell to the ground, a ghostly red shade could be seen exiting its body and flying towards Ophelia, dissapearing into something hidden in her clothing. Considering the options, Ophelia stepped towards the Shell as black lightning danced around the soldier next to it, searing its skin.
Edivad: As the Shell was now behind one of the pillar, the fiendish bowmen focused on Jas. Eight arrow flew in the air - most flew wide, but a few struck, although slowed down by his aura.
Meanwhile the leader of the fiends looked around for tactical opportunities, but he found none and merely stepped towards Jas.
Jas was now surrounded by four of the fiends, who skilfully coordinated their attacks. However their hammer swings were all but completely stopped by the force field, and the First was only slightly bruised.
the Shell: the Shell kicked at the legs of one of the devils and then tried to strike it with its hammer while the creature was off-balance, but struck the devil's shield
Jas: He flung himself at the one of the soldier, killing him with a swipe, carrying the force forward, he turned 180 degree into another soldiers but missed. Ophelia: Watching the battle, Ophelia stepped closer to the Shell and Jas as their wounds began to knit together.
Edivad: Two of the archers noticed Ophelia's actions and shot at her twice, but the arrows flew wide, bouncing off the walls of the courtyard. The others fired at Jas, dealing him a serious wound.
The sergeant swung his hammer at Jas, dealing him a solid blow.
One of the soldiers swung at Jas with all of his might. For a moment it looked like the blow was going to break Jas' neck, but at the last moment the First twisted and turn to avoid most of the damage.
Meanwhile the other rushed at Ophelia, hammer raised high above his head, but the attack went wide and struck the ground, sending crystal hards flying around.
the Shell: the Shell smashed one of the soldiers with his hammer, then stepped out from behind the pillar
Jas: Jas aims to attack another soldier but sadly he went wide.
Ophelia: With an enemy so close, Ophelia loosed a quick shocking bolt and then backed up and raised her arm allowing the Spitter to hit the soldier full in the face with its acidic bile, though, like the rest of its kind, the creature was only slightly wounded by it.
Edivad: Two of the archers fired at Ophelia, one piercing and hurting her severely. Meanwhile the others rushed towards the gate, perhaps trying to get a better aim at her
An accurate swing from the leader of the fiends bruised Jas
The soldier chasing Ophelia missed widely, while the one facing Jas gave him a light hit.
the Shell: the Shell glanced at its companions, made a barely perceptible gesture with its head, and then fell back towards the crystal room. As it went, it deliberately stepped past both the sergeant and the soldier threatening Jas, trying to free his companion some space
Jas: Jas rushed out of ranges of other soldiers and stood beside the Shell, looking grim
Ophelia: Releasing another weak bolt of black lightning, Ophelia walked back into the crystal room as the devil near her, on his last legs, took a swing at her, but held back just enough that Ophelia was able to avoid the strike before the devil colapsed from its injuries. "You're sure to recieve a demotion for a failed attempt like that." She admonished the fading devil before following the other two into the crystal room.
Edivad: One of the archers foolishly rushed forwards, trying to get a better aim at its foes which were standing in the gateway. But as it got closer to it, something happened - inside the room, the pillar flashed for a moment, and a bright red day flew from it towards the approaching demon, rending its flesh and leaving it badly hurt though still standing. The fiend decided to take a step back and shot anyway at the Shell, but it was merely a glancing bow. All of this seemed to have consumed some of the pillar's energy, for it glowed less brightly.
The other archers, obviously somewhat surprised, decided to stay back and fire at the Shell from their current position, but their arrows merely glanced off.
Looking as surprised as the others by the magical attack, the leader nonetheless charged at the Shell, raising his hammer above his head and bringing it down with all of his strength. But the Shell absorbed most of the blow and was not particularly impressed.
The remaining footman followed the example of his leader, rushing madly at Jas, but his hammer only struck the wall.
the Shell: the Shell strode between the two devils at the gate, taking blows from each as it did, and then charged at the sergeant, smashing him forward and into the crystal room. "Close the gate," it suggested to the others
Edivad: As the sergeant was forced into the room, there was a sound coming from above the gateway and a shower of hundreds of razor-sharp crystal shards fell on him. However his armour saved him from most of the damage, and he was merely scratched.
Jas: He raised his magical blade and launched a short attack, harming him seriously but not enough to kill him. He then strolled along the gate, eyeing him carefully.
Ophelia: Ophelia's pet 'thing' on her arm launched another gout of acid at the devil in the door, but it was lightly wounded.
Edivad: From the courtyard, the archers decided to fire at Jas instead. The arrows all struck true, wounding the First severely and leaving him barely conscious.
Another beam shoot out from the red pillar, engulfing the fallen sergeant and scorching his flesh severely.
Realizing that things were not going as expected for him and his troops, the sergeant clumsily rose to his feet and dropped his hammer. "No need to continue with this, manlings."he said in Infernal trying to sound not too desperate even as he was basically giving in
the Shell: the Shell casually slapped out at the sergeant with its hammer as the devil tried to retreat, but missed
Edivad: Immediately as the leader had dropped his hammer, all of the other fiends laid their weapons low, and the soldier in the gateway stepped back, throwing a wary glance at the red pillar even as its glow was fading.
Jas: As the devil ran out of the room, Jas launched an attack on it to punish it rather than trying to kill it.
Ophelia: "No need to continue?" Ophelia repeated questioningly. "Well, perhaps you can answer some questions then."
Jas: Jas gave them a glance, "What you are doing here?" He asked bluntly.
Edivad: "We only came for your Master and will have no more quarrel with you."said the leader, battered and bleeding from a strong sword slash received from Jas as he retreated "Tell us where he is, and we will leave you alone."
Ophelia: "Well, I hate to inform you, but Master Tangren is unavailable at the moment, perhaps if you had made an apointment, we could have accomadated you. Now, I doubt you used the front door, so now I ask you, how did you get in here?"
the Shell: the Shell simply stood there impassively, preparing to touch and close the gate in case the conversation turned sour and the archers picked up their bows again. The extensive damage to the Shell's body began to repair even as it stood waiting
Edivad: "Unavailable?"said the devil looking very displeased "As for us how we got here - most of the wards and spells which prevent gating to this place have collapsed. We could not be here otherwise. At least not as easily."he added
"And speaking of those unavailable, I thought Master Tangren had at least four First. Did he ran off with your Master? Or was he killed in some struggle with you?"he asked, the last question sounding genuinely curious
whispering to Ophelia, Jas, the Shell, At the mention of the fact that Master Tangren could have add other First, they suddenly recalled Nimar, an artificier of no small skill who was known to have built some interesting devices.
Ophelia: "No, to my knowledge, he is, sadly, still alive. How long have you been in the keep, and how large was your party when you arrived?"
whispering to Jas, The fiend was mostly sincere, although it sounded like he might possibly have known a bit more about Nimar than what his off-hand questions would suggest.
Jas: "And what do you know about... Nimar" Jas asked after Ophelia asked her questions.
Edivad: The fiend looked somewhat taken aback by the question "Why, we arrived only a few minutes ago. As the defences and spells which would normally prevent that failed...well, most of them."he added remembering to the grievous wounds the trap and pillar had inflicted on him "No others of our kin here, not that I know of. We did not expect particularly strong resistance."
"Nimar, is that he?" he replied "Not much. A cunning craftsman, they say. At least for a mortal. Power-hungry, bit of a rivality with your Master...but then, that wouldn't be particularly unusual, would it?"
Ophelia: "This is a Master's keep, were you expecting to simply come and go unopposed?"
Edivad: "Lords more powerful than Masters have watched Tangren for a while. We knew when the Keep collapsed and the its wards started failing, but we had expected that all of his First would be gone with him." he said "Wherever he is now. Your Master seems to have had some particularly ambitious goals - some excessively so, even for a Master."
whispering to Ophelia, Jas, the Shell, You realize that the sudden failure in the Keep's wards and defenses could not have been caused by a simple malfuction. It might have been sabotage, treachery, or perhaps even been done by Tangren intentionally for some reason of his own. You remember that this Keep got most of the energies powering it from a gigantic heart-crystal - perhaps it was damaged or its connection to the Keep disrupted."
whispering to Ophelia, Jas, The fiend's word rang true. You vaguely recall that in the last years Tangren had been making deals with powerful entities - most not of this world, and some most certainly from the same hellish realm as those fiends. Probably he was trying to become even more powerful and outdo the other Masters - and in doing so, he may have crossed off powerful beings.
Ophelia: "What does a rank and file soldier such as yourself know of ambition?" She glanced at her two allies, tapping her foot impatently.
Jas: "Like... entering the deals with Powers greater than Masters....?" He asked them. "Does that explain your... slightly unwelcome presence?"
Edivad: "Those who prove useful to their superiors through battle - or other ways - are rewarded well in our realm."replied the fiend "It is the way things shouldn't be, isn't it?". He turned to address Jas "That would not be a problem if your Master kept his part of the bargain and made proper deals. But what would I know about that? If you are right and he is indeed not here, I do not think there is much we have to discuss."
whispering to Ophelia, The fiend seemed sincere, and probably did not know the specifics of Tangren's dealings, treacherous or not. It was also fairly obvious that he was indeed not a very high in the hierarchy of Hell and was disappointed because this task had not turned out to be as easy as expected. Ophelia: "Quite. You may return to your master in disgrace in whatever way you choose. I am sure he will be forgiving given the opposition you faced in but three foes."
whispering to Jas, The fiend was probably sincere, but might not have know what it was that Tangren had done specifically to anger his superiors.
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Logs
Sept 18, 2010 18:29:48 GMT
Post by Edivad on Sept 18, 2010 18:29:48 GMT
the Shell: the Shell waved its warhammer vaguely in the sergeant's direction. "You are no longer needed here. Begone," it announced.
Ophelia: "Cretins." Ophelia muttered as the devils left the keep. "We should try to find out what happened here." She said, looking at the other doors in the chamber.
the Shell: with the unwelcome intruders gone, the Shell reclined against a wall, seeming as comfortable against the stone as it would have lying on the finest bed. Remembering that there was blood and other organic matter on the head of its warhammer, the Shell pressed its weapon up lightly against itself. There was a strange, low squelching noise, as of mud adhering to boots, and the weapon was slowly cleaned as the fiendish viscera was absorbed into the Shell.
Once this process was finished, the Shell straightened and looked around. "Which way?"
Jas: Jas glanced carefully at these doors and nodded, "West. I do not see other two doors any difference so my choice is entirely random
Ophelia: "It's a good a direction as any." Ophelia shrugged, waiting for the other two to get the door open.
the Shell: remembering how the first door had opened, the Shell strode over to the new door and mentally commanded it to open.
Edivad: The door - which was of a different material than the crystal gate, a lustrous black material - did not seem to obey the Shell's mental commands.
Jas: Jas smiled for a moment at the Shell's action and went to his aid, taking the door's handle in his left hand and turn it, opening the door.
Edivad: The room was rectangular, and much smaller than the previous one. It was illuminated by a large blue crystal set in the ceiling 20' high, and inside were some closed boxes, made of what looked to be plain steel.
the Shell: the Shell examined the door. "The previous door was more efficient," it stated blandly.
Jas: Jas frowned for a moment... "Interesting." He said, "Look like these boxes could have something useful in them. Still, these could be trapped?"
Ophelia: "Why would they be? Still, it might be better to err on the side of caution." She looked at the Shell expectantly.
the Shell: the Shell examined the boxes. "I am unable to determine if is safe to come into physical contact with these containers," it stated. It looked at Ophelia. "Which would you prefer me to open first?"
Ophelia: "Start at one side and work your way around. I don't see a reason not to open them all. We could use whatever supplies that might be in them."
Jas: Jas nodded, "Agreed. Anything that could help us at all."
the Shell: "From which side should I start?"
Ophelia: Ophelia rolled her eyes. "The left side." She said, slightly irritated.
the Shell: the Shell nodded and began to open containers
Edivad: None of the boxes turned out to be trapped or locked, although those closer to the door were empty. The remaining ones held assorted supplies: various well-kept weapons, medium armour, ammunition, canteens of water and some bags with bland-looking but probably nutritious food. There was also something more unusual - two of boxes held nine blueish crystals, somewhat smaller than a man's fist.
Jas: Jason glanced at these crystals and shruged. "Not really my area."
whispering to the Shell, Ophelia, You recognize the crystals as being magical in nature - they hold spiritual essence which could be used to assist a sorcerer's spells, or, if one was desperate, thrown as weapons.
Ophelia: "They're not useful for you two. I'll take them." Opehlia picked one of the crystals up. "Living creatures are for more effective at storing magical energy." She commented.
the Shell: Recognising the crystals as of more use to Ophelia, the Shell went to pick up some supplies. Picking up a canteen, the Shell paused, then reached up to pull its helm up. Behind the helm was a face pallid as the underside of a slug, fleshy, shapeless, and totally devoid of hair of any kind, and unable to be categorised easily as male or female. The Shell took a drink, dead skin visibly sloughing off and falling onto the armour, into which it was rapidly absorbed. The Shell drank the entire contents of the canteen, then put its visor down with a contented sigh.
the Shell: the Shell put all the provisions into its backpack, and also picked up a spare warhammer and a battle axe in case its main weapon were to be lost or destroyed before departing the room.
Ophelia: "Well then. Shall we try the next door then?" Ophelia returned to the main chamber again and look to the south door.
the Shell: the Shell nodded, then strode to the door and turned the handle
Edivad: The southern corridor looked tight and featureless, except for the cracks in the walls. Like the other rooms, it was illuminated by crystals set in the ceiling.
the Shell: the Shell examined the cracks in the wall to determine their causes and whether this corridor was safe to enter
Jas: Jas grinned for a moment at the Shell's usage of handle.
Edivad: While the walls had cracks both ugly and numerous, they did not look to be in any danger of collapsing anytime soon, being made of some unknown but extremely sturdy material.
the Shell: "It is safe to proceed," the Shell announced, and did just that, advancing with hammer and shield at the ready.
Edivad: They could see a damaged metal door on the right side of the corridor, and an abrupt turn northwest after that.
the Shell: the Shell advanced to the door, then stopped, waiting for the others.
Jas: Jas caught up with the Shell, his eyes looking warily around.
the Shell: the Shell opened the door.
Edivad: The damaged door opened easily, and the Shell could see what was beyond - a fairly small room, which, from the metal tables, broken glass, assorted tools, stains of blood and other more exotic materials looked like it had been some sort of laboratory.
whispering to Ophelia, Although it is now in such a sorry state, it is obvious to you that this was once your personal laboratory - and that there is something especially wrong with it, as some important 'experiments' you were working on have simply disappeared.
Ophelia: Ophelia tapped her fingers against her lip. "Not what's supposed to be there." She replied to Jas. "Some caution might be warrented here." She inspected the door for signs that it had been opened recently.
Jas: Jas nodded, "I will try to keep an eye out..." He gazed in to see anything is wrong
the Shell: the Shell walked into the room and looked around
Ophelia: Ophelia waited for the other two to enter the room before getting close herself.
Edivad: The room and the tables in it, made of the same metal as the door, were covered in broken shards of glass, unkown tools, and stains of various colours, mostly red, black, and green. There was also a strong smell of decay in the air.
Jas: "I do not like the smell." Jas muttered as he strolled into the room, to get a closer llook."
Ophelia: Ophelia nodded in agreement. "It smelled much worse before. Something's not quite right."
the Shell: the Shell examined the strange stains
Jas: Jas joined the Shell in searching the strange strain, taking much longer.
Edivad: Many stains looked to be fairly mundane blood - though not necessarily human, while others were of more exotic but biological-looking material. Some, when checked more throughly, looked like they were not merely stains, but slight depressions in the metal of the tables, as if they had been lightly corroded by acid.
Edivad: While examining the tables throughly, Jas noticed two vials which had miracolously not been broken: one contained a greenish-black liquid, while the other was a thick, blood-like red. Both looked to fairly unpleasant to the eye.
Jas: He grestured at these two vails, "Any idea what these are?" He asked the others
Edivad: Both Ophelia and the Shell somehow recognized the content of the vials - the first vial was a strong acid, and the second some sort of rejuvenating tonic.
Jas: Jas smiled as the others explained what these vials are and told her, Ophelia, "I keep the tonic but you can have the acid I guess?"
Ophelia: "You'll get more use out of it." Ophelia agreed, and took the acid vial. She then did a quick look over of the room, under the tables and overhead, just to make sure nothing was missed.
Edivad: There seemed to be nothing else of interest in the room, unfortunately.
the Shell: the Shell went back out into the corridor
Jas: Jas followed them out
Ophelia: With a final glance, Ophelia left the room as well, following the other two.
Edivad: At the end of the northwestern corridor, they saw a large room which looked in somewhat worse condition than the others - many cracks, some fairly deep, could be seen in the floor and walls, while the crystal gate set in the western side was all but shattered.
the Shell: the Shell wandered along the corridor until the deep cracks started, then examined the walls for safety
Jas: "It is safe?" He asked the strange armoured chap
whispering to the Shell, While several of the cracks look quite serious, you're fairly confident that the room should not collapse unless there is another strong crash or collision of some kind.
the Shell: "It should be safe," the Shell affirmed, moving into the room.
Edivad: In addition to the mostly-broken door, they could also see a corridor leading northeast.
the Shell: the Shell went to examine the shattered gate
Edivad: It looked like it had been crafted from the same kind of crystal as the one which they had been opened east. However, it was in far worse condition, and not transparent - at least from this side.
the Shell: the Shell thought at the gate, though it doubted it would open
Edivad: The gate did not open or budge at all. Perhaps it had been damaged too much for the spells to still work, or it had simply not been crafted to be opened that way.
Jas: Jas looked throughtfully at the gate, "Any chance we can tear this down?"
the Shell: the Shell grabbed the hammer it had picked up in the storeroom earlier and smashed it against the door
Ophelia: "You know, there's likly another room up that way." Ophelia motioned in the direction of the other corridor.
Edivad: The Shell struck again and again and again with all of its might, and eventually the door shattered, shards flying around and bouncing off it.
Jas: Jas glanced through the gate to see what it is like. Still, he did also glance at other corridor, "We could do either way."
Edivad: Through the shattered gate, they could see a short slope leading up to a room full of shards of crystal and with some sort of pedestal in the center. There may have been something else, but they could not make it out from their current position.
the Shell: the Shell stood still as a statue, waiting for the others to decide which route they would take
Jas: Jas nodded, "Beside, I want to see what on that pedestal!" He walked through the gate.
the Shell: the Shell walked through the gate alongside Jas
Ophelia: Ophelia sighed. "Impatient." She muttered, following the other two
Edivad:The room was hexagonal and its floor was completely covered by sharp shards of clear crystal around a raised pedestal in the centre, which must obviously once have housed some enormous gem. The walls were severely damaged, some of the cracks almost looking like they formed weird, intricate patterns.
Jas: Jas glanced at the pedestal then at the cracks, "I wonder about these cracks, it seems they got some patterns?"Jas took a closer look at these cracks
Edivad: Walking through the inch-deep layer of shards on the floor, they could examine the walls more closely. From up close, it was obvious that the cracks themselves were irregular, there were other lines, far more geometrical and probably hand-carved, which formed some sort of pattern of runes.
Edivad: From its location and the enormous size it must have possessed, it was clear to Ophelia and the Shell that the shattered gem had been the Keep's Heart Crystal, which supplied energy to the whole Citadel.
whispering to Ophelia, Ophelia realized that perhaps the crystal's destruction was somehow connected to their slumber and the sudden crash that had woken them up. It certainly could not just be a coincidence.
whispering to Jas, Jas realized that was wrong - the Heart Crystal should not have been destroyed! Perhaps that had something to do with their slumber and the sudden crash that woke up them?
Ophelia: "Well that explains a lot." Ophelia said, looking at the shattered crystal. "I doubt there's anything of use here, but it might be worth checking regardless."
Jas: "This is wrong... Maybe that is why we suddenly woke up since the Heart Crystal was destoryed?"
the Shell: the Shell glanced at the shards of glass to see if there was dust on them, then, seeing there wasn't, brushed some aside with its armoured foot, seeing if there was any on the floor beneath
Edivad: There was no dust on the floor below, either, or any specific sign of the passage of time.
Jas: Jas nodded as he glanced around, "Yes, maybe it is time to go to that corridor?"
the Shell: the Shell nodded and headed back to the corridor in the previous room
Edivad: The northeastern corridor had a metal door set in its right side, similar to the one leading to Ophelia's laboratory.
the Shell: the Shell opened the door
Edivad: As the Shell opened the door, there was a loud click - as if some mechanism was trying to fire but was jammed - and then...nothing happened.
Jas: "Luckly!" Jas whispered
the Shell: the Shell moved into the room, seeming unaffected by its close brush with the trap
Jas: Jas followed the Shell in and glanced around
Ophelia: Ophelia followed behind the two warriors.
Edivad: The room itself was square, and larger than Ophelia's laboratory. Judging by the many damaged tools, materials and working surfaces, it must have been some sort of workshop. The floor was also covered in rubble and metal scraps, and something silvery was in the southern part in the room.
whispering to Ophelia, Jas, This must be Nimar's Laboratory. You remember him, somewhat - he must have been the fourth First, mentioned by the devil sergeant in the courtyard, and was greatly skilled with all kinds of mechanical devices, although it looked like his trap earlier wasn't immune to jamming.
whispering to the Shell, This looked like it could have been Nimar's Laboratory, the other of Tangren's First - you remember he had a great interest in mechanics, but nothing more.
Jas: "This seems to be Nimar's Lab. At least his traps are prone to jamming." Jas went over to something slivery and search it.
Edivad: Jas approached the silvery puddle to check it out. The moment he was close enough to get a good look at it, it started moving, shaping itself into a roughly humanoid form...
Edivad: Having solidified into a menacing, man-sized form, the silvery thing struck Jas twice, landing heavy blows which made the hapless warrior recoil even though his forcefield reduced the impact.
Jas: Jas replied with a quick rebuke with his shining blade and leaped back but sadly it replied with a nasty slash
Ophelia: Ophelia coaxed the creature on her arm to spit a line of acid at the golem, but the blob avoided it.
whispering to Ophelia, This might be one of Nimar more extravagant experiments - you didn't expect him to create something that wasn't made out of solid metal. It seems to posses some primitive intelligence, and can reshape its body quickly to recover from weapon attacks.
whispering to the Shell, Nimar most unusual creation - living metal endowed with a primitive intelligence, agility and great strength, it can quickly recover any wounds by reshaping its liquid body. It is however more vulnerable to magical damage, especially cold which might slow it down or even solidify it.
the Shell: the Shell seemed to hesitate for a moment before charging. Building up a great head of steam, the Shell smashed the creature with its warhammer, sending liquid metal to splash across the floor. "Hit it with cold energy," the Shell advised Ophelia
Edivad: The thing's fists solidified and slammed viciously into the Shell, who stubbornly held its ground. Meanwhile, some of the liquid metal on the floor slowly flowed back to its body, joining it again.
Jas: Jas focused once more, maintaining his calm. He went into full defences.
Ophelia: Motes of cold blue energy began to coalece around Ophelia as she slowly walked forward into the room, keeping a wary eye on the golem.
the Shell: the Shell attempted to smash the creature in the face with its shield and follow up with a powerful hammer blow, but the thing flowed away
Edivad: The thing smashed its fists against the Shell again - but the latter blocked the first blow with its shield, and barely felt the second. On the ground, its displaced 'flesh' kept flowing, slowly reforming its body.
Jas: Jas launched himself at the glomen and slashed into it, before standing flanking with Shell, it was seriously harmed, and was now reduced from human to dwarf sized.
Ophelia: With a gesture, the blue energy around Ophelia flew towards the golem and began to spin around it rapidly, freezing the golem into a solid statue. Another shot from the spitter landed on the frozen construct, melting a portion of it into green goo that pooled on the floor.
the Shell: the Shell smashed its hammer into the creature
Edivad: Now frozen and reduced to a much smaller size, the golem looked like a completely nonthreatening and severely damaged statue.
Jas raised his energy sword high above his head and brought it down with all of his strength, shattering the golem into many pieces of frozen, harmless metal.
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