The Planewalkers' Journies

[Jak Snide]

"We've come to help the people who live here," Kongunvir responded, doing his best to conceal his bemusement at the appearance of the strangely dressed flying child, "though we were about to begin searching for those very people. Might you be here for the same reason?"

[Shinigori V2]

The child nods, her expression still almost unsettling in it's deadpan-ness. "I have been observing for some time now. They have fortified themselves within the town hall, for now."

She looks over her shoulder for a minute, before turning back. "I am called Thirteen."

[ChristianC]

Magpie had been watching the entire spectacle rather... unphased, large eyes observing the descending girl with the green glow becoming just slightly sharper. And as the girl landed... no, stopped right before crashing into the ice, the construct gave a polite nod. She seemed... surprisingly quiet considering the grand entrance, but then finally she spoke.

"That was an interesting way of descending. You seem to have no means of flying outside the area of magic, are you a magician, or do you have a magical tool that helps you? My name is Magpie."

[Jak Snide]

"Kongunvir. How long have they been in there and why have you been watching them?" he asked inquisitively, focusing on the task at hand and not bothering to give the strange appearance of the newcomer any more thought. He was already travelling with a well spoken wolf, a living construct crafted to resemble a woman and an adventurer-child whose battle strategy involved setting herself on fire. This Thirteen was hardly exceptional.

[Kelne]

"What are you searching for?" Asp asked, taking flying kids completely in stride. "I mean, it can't be the townspeople, because you know where they are. It's probably not Phelan's friend because we're the first people he managed to recruit. Is it the Sleeping Ones? Because they sound pretty interesting. Well, maybe not, being asleep, but something to look at anyway."

[Shinigori V2]

Thirteen calmly shakes her head. "I'm simply here to investigate."

[Idran1701]

Plane of Ice - Village

Florence shrugs to Kongunvir and Magpie, before looking to Thirteen. "Well, I don't know about the rest of us, but I think having another body here'll only help us. Oh, but we never even introduced ourselves, did we? I'm Florence, we're from the Planewalker's Guild."

"So, what now?" She looks to everyone. "I guess we could check out those buildings with smoke, but Magpie might be right, it might be a trap. I'm a little curious about those collapsed ones, myself, but I'll go along with what the group decides."

[ChristianC]

Magpie found Thirteen pretty interesting. Well, to be fair, Magpie could probably find snow interesting, but she liked how the girl wasn't really telling anyone anything, and people were telling her a lot more, inadvertently or not.

"It is also possible that any survivors are together in the homes that aren't destroyed, it is a possibility. It would therefore be advisable we do not engage in conflict until we are certain it is a trap. I suggest that I go first."

[Jak Snide]

Kongunvir was less willing to let the lack of explanation slide. "A moment, please." he said to his fellow guild members before turning back towards Thirteen. "We've given you our names, as you have given us yours, but while we've professed our intent and affiliation you've only offered us the former in compensation."

[Shinigori V2]

"I'm from a group of individuals like myself that, in your tongue, would be translated to something along the lines of 'the Clear skies project'. I'm here to investigate a new form of clockwork life. Primitive, but still enough for us to take notice."

[ChristianC]

Magpie, had she had ears, would have perked them. Clockwork creatures, the ones Phelan had mentioned? Hmm... ominous! But who were these people... these... clear skies project?

"Are you also fascinated by these clockwork creatures? We are here to help Phelan's friend who has run into problems with them. But I am also interested in them!" the construct really did seem that. "I wonder who made them. Do you know?"

[Besyanteo]

Well. Things hadn't been half this bad when Phelan had left to seek help. The things must have attacked again while he was gone. How terrible! Standin around feeling guilty for not being there to help wasn't going to do anyone any good, though. That in mind, he cleared his throat, which was an odd cross between the normal coughing noise and a strangled growl.

"If we're all looking for the same thing, and no one has enough to get to the next step and actually find the clockwork creatures, maybe we should ask the locals about it? At least what direction they came from. I never saw when I was here before."

[Kelne]

"Say," Asp said, "If Magpie's interested in the constructs because she's sort of clockwork, does that mean you're sort of clockwork as well? Although that doesn't necessarily follow, since, I'm interested in them and I'm pretty sure I'm not clockwork. I've only caught myself ticking the once, and that turned out to be a watch, which was still a bit of a surprise, I must say."

Although secretly being clockwork would be pretty neat, Asp was pretty sure on balance that he was interested in the constructs because of that wizardly predilection for meddling with things beyond most peoples' comprehension. Or was that a kenderish tendency? Well, either way was good.

[Jak Snide]

Kongunvir acknowledged Thirteen with a nod. If she was being truthful about her intentions, and he was willing to take her word for it, then there shouldn't be any conflict between them. Once his comrades' questions were answered he'd propose they move in closer to search the village.

[Shinigori V2]

"Yes." Thirteen says. "I'm something like clockwork. Far beyond anything that naturally occurs here, and still also technically a living being."

Shawn scampered up Magpie's back, taking her place on the Warforged's shoulder once again. "This is pretty suspicious, if you ask me."

[ChristianC]

"You are like me?" Magpie's voice suddenly took on a much, much brighter note as she took a step towards Thirteen, not entirely aware of Shawn's pessimistic opinion. "Did you have your body remade too? You are quite small, were your creators that small? Or was your purpose different? What was your purpose?"

She pauses, almost in thought, and then with an almost palpable anticipation she asks...

"Are your creators... alive?"

[Idran1701]

Plane of Ice - Village

As Magpie asks her question, the party moves in deeper into the village towards the town hall, eyes peeled for any sign of Phelan's attackers. Indeed, as they draw closer, they can spy what looks to be shattered carapaces on the ground; largely made of ice, even the innards, but with a gear or two made out of what looks to be ivory. After a thorough inspection, they find what looks like a half-dozen pieces of wreckage, left wherever the locals managed to destroy them.

Still, there's no motion as they approach the doorway to the town hall. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the doors stand locked, the windows shut and even blockaded from within by bookcases, furniture, and whatever else they had within. The doors are thick oak, but the lock seems somewhat low-quality. Within is the low sound of chatter, people talking amongst themselves in hushed tones, too quiet to make out any specific words, or even what language.

[Kelne]

Asp, having pocketed a couple of those ivory components, walked up to the door and knocked. Hopefully, this would be out of character for clockwork invaders. He could always fall back on picking the lock if they were feeling unreasonable, but it didn't seem worth the effort of getting his tools out. No challenge at all.

[ChristianC]

Magpie observed Asp at work, gazing silently as he knocked on the door. She shifted a bit from side to side, eager to learn more about these constructs,and not a little disappointed that her new best friend Thirteen hadn't told her the answers to all her questions!

"Perhaps it would be wise for me to hide my presence? If these people are tormented by constructed beings, then it stands to reason the sight of me might be disheartening."

[Idran1701]

Plane of Ice - Village

At the knock, the sounds within hush. There's a brief, spirited argument within, before a click sounds from the door. It opens cautiously, just a crack, as an answer comes from within. Just inside stands what looks to be a human, older, with a scar across his face and a nervous expression. He calms a bit when he sees it's just a living thing at the door, but he opens it no further. "Who're you? Are you here to help?"

[Besyanteo]

Phelan moved quickly to stand behind Asp and without waiting for him to reply excitedly said:

"Yes! I have brought people to help! Come see, open the door!"

[ChristianC]

Magpie totally helped out too. "Indeed. Although this may seem suspicious, be not worried. This is not a trap thought out by the clockwork beings who are attacking your village."

[Jak Snide]

"Unless they're very good at disguising themselves." Kongunvir added.

[Shinigori V2]

"Well, most of us aren't Clockwork." Shawn mumbles.

"Perhaps later, Magpie, I will tell you about my creators." Thirteen had said when she was asked. For now, she's content to stand near the back, allowing her cloak to billow in the wind as she stares skywards.

[Idran1701]

Plane of Ice - Village

Though he gives Magpie and Kongunvir an odd look, he carefully opens the door, holding a loaded crossbow ready past them as they enter. "Hmph. Good enough. Hurry in. They've been quiet for a while, I don't trust it."

Past him, dozens of villagers of all ages hole up in the wide meeting room beyond, the air heavy with the scents of sweat and fear. Makeshift beds are scattered here and there, and men and women stand guard at the windows that couldn't be barricaded, further crossbows held ready to strike, quivers half-empty. Empty crates of supplies are scattered about, some broken down for their wood; food looks to be running a little low. Phelan recognizes some of the villagers here, but there's a few he doesn't see amongst the crowds.

"Did you see them?" The door guard slams the door shut behind them once all are inside, throwing the lock with shaky hands. "They look like...ice crabs or something, I don't know. But with blades for claws. You can see the gears in them. We haven't heard any sound since daybreak, but no one wants to set foot outside. Everyone here's getting anxious."

[Kelne]

"Well, there's a whole bunch of wreckage," Asp said, "But nothing moving. Do you think they're waiting for nightfall so they get the bonus creepy factor? Or maybe it's just that they can see in the dark. That'd give them a bit of an edge. Nobody's tried to find out where they came from or went to?" Asp turned around to look back out the door, and it looked very much as if he was about to head back out again in search of living constructs.

[ChristianC]

Magpie followed in through the door, looking surprised and a little bemused at the people inside. She nodded once or twice and then remarked in her own, special way:

"Hm... they have weapons, why are they hiding? Possibility: Superior number of constructs, villagers seemed untrained in organized warfare, considering make-shift nature of the hovel. Presence of children indicated a swift attack, not enough time to send them off to safety. Possibility of no declaration of war, which meant a covert attack. Impressive the people has survived for so long..." she took another look around and nodded, "It is unfortunate, but these 'crab-like constructs' must be dealt with? They are causing you unjustified anguish?"

[Jak Snide]

"What's their agenda? Have they taken anything or anyone?"

[Idran1701]

Plane of Ice - Village

"We thought so at first. Then Elena caught sight of a swarm of them. They jumped one of our hunters, killed him, and dragged his body off. We don't know why. Some went after them, but none came back. We don't have any fighters here, just hunters, and we need the priests here for water and healing." He chuckles darkly, leaning against the wall and squeezing his arms. "Unjustified anguish? I suppose that's one way to put it. We've got no idea what they're waiting for. If they're not out there, maybe they've moved on, I don't know. Auril willing, they're gone."

[ChristianC]

"Multiple kidnappings? Food seems unlikely... mechanical creatures do not require it... unless for a creator." Magpie's eyes had taken on a matted hue as she thought out loud. "Unwise to follow, but initial assumptions may have been a minor, defeatable force... unwise still considering lack of trained fighters. If their goal is to collect more bodies, chances of Phelan's friend being alive is unlikely, unless they would prefer living hostages... attack unto death seems illogical, then."

Something seemed to click in her head and she nodded, straightening up and putting a hand on her sword. "I wish to assess the danger of these creations, and if no other solution presents itself, unlikely, I will aid in destroying them. As a member of the guild of Planewalkers, I offer my services."

Ceremoniously she drew her Felsteel blade, the green of the metal glinting slightly as she put the tip down against the floor, resting her hand on it. "Reimbursement shall be discussed with Phelan, he is the commanding member."

[Besyanteo]

Phelan's ears flattened as Magpie stated that his friend was most likely dead, and gave a short whine. Then came the subject of pay.

"I... uhm. Maybe we should wait until we've handled the crab things to talk about stuff like pay."

He turned his gaze from Magpie to the man who seemed to have taken the position of default spokesperson for the townsfolk.

"You said you don't know which direction they came from?"

[ChristianC]

Magpie turned as Phelan spoke, blinked two times, and then walked over to him, kneeling down and giving him a surprisingly careful hug.

"I apologize, Phelan. I spoke out of line, we do not know how these creature function, so it was wrong for me to assume the worst. I'm sorry."

[Idran1701]

Plane of Ice - Village

He shakes his head. "We know which way they were heading when they dragged Grigori off, but that's all." He points off towards the back wall of the building. "Off that way, that's all we know. Like I said, some of us went off after them, they haven't come back yet."

[Jak Snide]

Kongunvir contemplated what they'd been told. If the attackers had been of a more mundane variety he'd have likened them to goblin scum. "How long ago did this all occur? Had you scouted the region around your village before this time? I don't know what manner of beasts these clockwork constructs are but if they're interested in taking bodies they'll want to shield them from the elements. Either they'll have established a shelter of their own or take advantage of the geography. Is there anything like the latter that you know of?"

[Idran1701]

Plane of Ice - Village

"It just started some days ago. We've lived here for generations, if they were around before now, we'd have known. There are some caves in the plateau they might be using, old remorhaz tunnels. My grandpa killed the thing years ago, but its lair is still up there, I'm sure. They might be in there, but it's like a maze in there, and all sorts of creatures around here use them for shelter. If you plan to head down there, you'd better be careful getting back out again."

[Jak Snide]

The warrior nodded. "That could be where they're holed up. Their interest in collecting the dead might extend beyond your people, in which case they might have cleared the place out already. Not sure if that's a good thing; they'd be able to focus entirely on us if they raised an alarm. How extensive are these tunnels?"

(I'm guessing that Kongunvir doesn't know what a remorhaz is.)

[Idran1701]

Plane of Ice - Village

He shakes his head, frowning. "Couldn't tell you for sure, we've never gone through them all. Hundreds of feet, at least."

---

He does not, nor does anyone else in the party.

[Kelne]

"What's a remorhaz?" Asp asked, never afraid to display a bit of honest ignorance, "Not that it matters if it's dead, I suppose, but I'd kind of like to know anyway. Say, do you think that's where the constructs are getting all these little ivoy parts to build themselves? From the remorhaz skeleton? I know they're mostly ice, probably because the plane's mostly ice, and it's not like there's any risk of it melting, but they seem to include at least a few bits of ivory here and there."

[Idran1701]

Plane of Ice - Village

"They're giant things. Thin, but long, at least twenty feet. Scaled like a dragon, and with dozens of legs down their length. They're hot enough that they can burrow their way through ice like it was water. Dangerous creatures, not the sort of thing you'd want to face alone. My grandfather needed just about all the hunters in the village to kill it. I suppose they could be using it, no clue what happened to the bones. Can't say I remember seeing anything like that in the ones we've killed, if that means anything, but we haven't given a lot of attention to digging through the bodies."

[Idran1701]

Seems like everyone's got everything they wanted to know; if people are ready to move on, go ahead and post what you want to do now - head after the creatures, check around the village more, whatever.